Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming will now use custom Xbox Series X hardware to power the cloud gaming service. In 2019, Microsoft unveiled its answer to Google Stadia with Project xCloud, which is now Xbox Cloud Gaming. Similar to Stadia, the service allows players to stream games through a browser or mobile device as long as an adequate internet connection is available. Over a hundred games are currently available to stream on the service, with more coming in future updates. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have access to the service at no additional charge.
Xbox was a prominent feature during Microsoft’s Windows 11 presentation. The next iteration of Windows will have an integrated Xbox Game Pass app within the operating system. Windows 11 will also feature DirectStorage, a dedicated system to quickly load game assets also found in Series X|S consoles. Games running on Windows 11 will also make use of the new Auto HDR feature. This allows games running on the PC to automatically switch to a richer, more colorful version of the game than the SDR, or Standard Dynamic Range, version. This feature also applies to games that don’t have an HDR option.
In a blog post on Xbox Wire, vice president of Xbox Cloud Gaming, Catherine Gluckstein, revealed that the cloud gaming service now uses custom Series X hardware. Gluckstein says that games will stream at 1080p and cap at 60fps, but improved features in future updates may increase these limits. This news coincides with the expansion of the service to Windows 10 PCs and Apple mobile devices in 22 countries. While a plethora of games have custom touch controls for mobile, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows the use of a variety of different gaming peripherals.
With the expansion of the service, Xbox Game Pass only increases its value as one of the best deals in gaming. Though its goal of bringing Xbox gaming to 3 billion players is lofty, it is hard to deny the strides Microsoft is taking to reach that goal. Over 18 million players are on Game Pass, and that number will only increase as more people subscribe to the service using nothing but a phone. Furthermore, these new players will more than likely access future Xbox exclusives as the service adds more cloud-enabled games.
While Microsoft still has a while to catch up to Sony and Nintendo in terms of exclusives, the company has placed itself back in the driver seat this generation. Now it’s up to the company to use its more than 20 game studios to entice more potential consumers. Hopefully, Xbox makes a return to form and capitalizes on the powerful tools it has made for itself in Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Source: Xbox Wire