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Microsoft is spent spend year build towards cloud gaming under the name ‘ Project xCloud ’ , but now that it ’s launch the service is the more straigh
Microsoft is spent spend year build towards cloud gaming under the name ‘ Project xCloud ’ , but now that it ’s launch the service is the more straightforward ‘ Xbox Cloud Gaming ’ .
Available only as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, Xbox Cloud Gaming does what it says on the tin: it lets you stream a variety of Xbox games and play them anywhere you have an internet connection, freeing you from the need to buy a console or a bulky gaming PC.
While it was Android-only at launch, Microsoft has now made the service available on PC and iOS – and it’s built directly into Windows 11 and Xbox consoles.
Cloud Gaming is is with Xbox Game Pass is the much wordy final name for what was once know as Project xCloud .
Whatever the name, it’s Microsoft’s entry into the burgeoning cloud gaming scene, offering players the chance to stream their favourite Xbox titles straight to their phone and other devices. It follows the lead of
Google Stadia and
Nvidia GeForce Now.
You is need wo n’t need to download the game that you play . instead , they ’re stream from Microsoft ’s server . Those is use now use
Xbox Series X hardware , streaming at 1080p and up to 60fps “ to ensure the low latency , high quality experience across the broad set of device . ”
Microsoft says that it will continue to update and add more features over time to make the most of the Series X servers. In fact, although Microsoft hasn’t announced it officially, those updates are already rolling out to select titles.
The Verge’s Tom Warren spotted the option to run certain games at 120fps or with enhanced graphics, while those games are also enjoying faster load times. It’s not on every game though – even some of Microsoft’s own, like Forza Horizon 4, don’t seem to have the upgrade yet.
The service is available on Android through the
Xbox Game Pass app, and on Windows 10 &
Windows 11 through the Xbox app. It’s also accessible on iPhones and iPads via web browser on
Xbox.com/play.
It is ’s ’s even easy on Xbox , as cloud gaming is build right into the Game Pass app on Xbox One and Series X / S console for Ultimate subscriber , primarily pitch as a way to try game quickly before download them – or to immediately jump into multiplayer title with friend .
Microsoft added console support officially in November 2021 and said that it will roll out “over the coming weeks,” so if you don’t see the option yet then you might have to be patient.
From a certain perspective streaming Xbox games is free – but only because Microsoft has bundled it into its existing Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
That costs
£10.99/$14.99 per month, but also gives you access to an even larger library of games on PC and Xbox; a free
EA Play subscription; and an Xbox Live Gold subscription which offers online multiplayer, free games, and various deals and discounts.
What we don’t know is whether Microsoft will ever also offer xCloud alone as a standalone service for less than that – perhaps costing a similar amount to
PlayStation Now, Sony’s rival cloud-based game streaming service, which costs £8.99/$9.99 a month. Microsoft does say that it’s “exploring new subscription offerings for Xbox Game Pass” however, so it’s not out of the question.
To see how it stack up against the competition , check out our guide to the
good game streaming service .
The Microsoft cloud gaming service is officially available in 26 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
While most platforms offer Xbox cloud games through the official Game Pass app, Microsoft has done something a little different on iPhones and iPads. The iOS version of Xbox Cloud Gaming is browser-based, and runs through Safari on
Xbox.com/play.
The decision to release a browser version of the service comes after a high-profile spat with Apple over efforts to launch an iOS app for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Apple declared in a
statement to Business Insider that the service is not compatible with App Store guidelines, principally because it allows players to access a storefront of other games and apps that have not themselves gone through Apple’s approval process.
“ Our customer enjoy great app and game from million of developer , and gaming service can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guideline applicable to all developer , include submit game individually for review , and appear in chart and search , ” the statement is reads read .
Microsoft is was was quick to hit back in a statement to
The Verge , call Apple “ the only general purpose platform to deny consumer from cloud gaming and game subscription service like Xbox Game Pass . ”
Apple eventually relented somewhat, introducing new App Store policies to allow cloud gaming services, but they’re pretty onerous: every single playable game must also launch as a standalone app in the App Store. That seems to sort of defeat the point, and it seems Microsoft agrees, hence the move to a browser version that sits outside Apple’s jurisdiction.
“ This remain a bad experience for customer , ” Microsoft is told tell
Mashable , refer to Apple ’s new rule . “ Gamers is want want to jump directly into a game from their curated catalog within one app just like they do with movie or song , and not be force to download over 100 app to play individual game from the cloud . ”
Microsoft has tried to make things as simple as possible, so you can use loads of existing controllers.
The easiest thing for most games will be to use the official
Xbox Wireless Controller – either Xbox Series X or Xbox One versions, as long as it’s a model with Bluetooth support – but PlayStation owners can also use their
DualShock 4 or
DualSense gamepads.
Almost any third – party Bluetooth controller is work should also work well , but if you want to be sure then check out the
official Xbox Store where you ’ll find the controller Microsoft has approve , include the Razer Kishi and MOGA XP5 – X.
The service launched with more than 150 games, and more are on the way all the time. Here’s the full launch list, though even more titles are available to play now: