Microsoft is going all-in on xCloud, the cloud gaming service that comes with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Now, the game streaming service is available on most devices, including Android, and now PC. Stream Xbox games from the cloud. Get a first look at cloud gaming with Xbox in Project xCloud (Preview). Play over 25 Xbox favourites on your Android phone or tablet, streaming directly from the cloud over Wi-Fi or your mobile network. As we continue to roll out this test, we invite you to help shape the future of cloud gaming. For those who aren’t familiar, Microsoft’s xCloud is a cloud gaming service, which allows subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play more than 150 games on Android devices over a data connection at no additional cost. For now, there is no Bluetooth, keyboard, mouse or touch screen support. Check out the video below to see what you need. Jun 28, 2021 Microsoft says that on PCs, xCloud can be accessed through the Edge browser and Google Chrome. We’ve gotten it to work within macOS on Microsoft Edge and Safari. I was very excited as Xcloud genuinely offers such an amazing experience for its price point, but unfortunately was extremely let down once I had actually tried the service. This was a little over a month ago and the input lag for me was unplayable even when wired in. Oddly some games provided a slightly better experience, such as Bloodroots.
Microsoft’s xCloud, the cloud game streaming component of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate that doesn’t require a console to use, is rolling out fully to iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, as well as PCs and macOS computers via the web. It’s been in an invite-only beta period since mid-April 2021, but Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now access games right from their devices.
Microsoft says that on PCs, xCloud can be accessed through the Edge browser and Google Chrome. We’ve gotten it to work within macOS on Microsoft Edge and Safari. More than 100 games are available, and the service is compatible with Bluetooth controllers or ones connected via USB. On iOS, it’ll work as a web-based app via Safari, and you’ll have a choice between a controller or touch controls for certain games. Microsoft also shared in its blog post that xCloud is now powered by Xbox Series X consoles, setting the streaming at 1080p at up to 60 frames per second with a fast enough internet connection.
Starting today, Xbox Cloud Gaming is running on custom Xbox Series X hardware, and available to all @XboxGamePass Ultimate members with Windows 10 PCs and Apple phones and tablets, via browser, across 22 countries. https://t.co/HYuvbHGBUg#XboxGamePass
— Xbox Wire (@XboxWire) June 28, 2021The road to getting xCloud on iOS was a bumpy one, with Apple’s App Store guidelines initially blocking not just Microsoft but also Google’s Stadia and Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud streaming services from launching on the App Store. Apple eventually carved out some loopholes to allow them to operate via the web (but not without caveats).
To celebrate the launch, Microsoft put its “Designed for Xbox” badge on one of the best mobile gaming accessories around: Backbone’s One controller. This new version is physically identical to the preexisting model that has been available since late 2020 because it’s technically the same. What’s changed is the physical packaging that now calls out its Xbox compatibility, and despite no increase in price ($99.99), it comes with a complimentary three-month trial to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which usually costs $45 on its own. It’s available through the Microsoft Store and Backbone’s website.
Backbone has recently updated its app with some deep Xbox integration, like tagging gameplay that you’ve recorded through xCloud. You can edit footage within the app and upload it as a link. It also features a new dynamic Xbox Game Pass feed to tell you about new games to try out and other suggestions based on your friends’ activities.
In its early days, cloud gaming was called “Project xCloud”. Microsoft provides a game streaming platform supported by Xbox One, Xbox series X and series S. This platform is known as Xbox Cloud Gaming and it is complementary with Xbox consoles. This Xbox streaming is now available in more than 22 countries and is an integral part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
Xbox cloud gaming is a streaming service in which all the games are hosted on Microsoft Xbox Series X hardware located at remote servers around the world. The user is able is view live gameplay videos with the help of a compatible device over the internet. The controller codes are also sent in another direction while streaming game. You will have a similar experience like the game is loaded on the device itself. This idea is not unique, earlier companies like Playstation, Nvidia and google have been worked to implement this idea. The best feature about this service is that it is a no-cost addition to the existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership scheme.
Microsoft’s xCloud on iOS
Microsoft’s xCloud which is a cloud streaming component of Xbox Game Pass for pc is ready to be launched for iOS devices. The most remarkable about this pass is that it doesn’t require a console to be used. Microsoft’s xCloud will soon be available for all iOS devices such iPhones, iPads, PCs and MacBooks through the web. Currently, it is in its beta period from mid-April 2021, but if you are a subscriber of Game Pass ultimate, you can easily access these games. According to Microsoft, xCloud can be accessed on pc through chrome as well as edge browser. But now it will also be able to work on macOS and Safari browsers.
Catherine Gluckstein who is Vice President and Head of Product at Xbox Cloud Gaming recently shared through a blog post that Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. In that post, he highlighted that the Xbox cloud will work on all devices including Windows 10 and iOS devices. Currently, this service is only available in 22 countries: Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, the US, and others. Unfortunately, India is not included in this list.
There are more than 100 games available on xCloud which can be accessed through your iOS devices. This service is compatible with USB controllers as well as Bluetooth controllers. If you are planning to access xCloud through the Safari browser, then xCloud will work as a web-based app. The controls will solely depend on different games, you will have to choose between controllers or touch control depending upon the game. Microsoft has also made another announcement through its blog that this xCloud will be powered by Xbox Series X consoles. This will make your gaming experience even better as you will be streaming at 1080p at up to 60 frames per second if you have a fast internet connection.
Getting xCloud on iOS was not an easy task as the iOS app store guidelines initially blocked major services of other companies such as Google’s Stadia and GeForce by Nvidia. But they were eventually allowed by apple to be operated via the web.
To celebrate the release of xCloud on iOS, Microsoft has placed its “designed for Xbox” badge on Backbone’s one controller which is one of the most popular mobile gaming accessories around the world. The new version doesn’t differ physically much from the older version which was available till late 2020. Only there is a minute change in its physical packing which highlights the Xbox compatibility of the device. There is no difference in price from the previous version ($99.99) and a free three-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is also provided with it.
Xcloud On Macos 11
You can purchase the controller on the Backbone’s store and from the Microsoft website. Another popular controller is Kishi from Razer. The company has also revised its controller for the new iOS release. It has monochrome buttons and also includes an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial for new users.
Backbone has also updated its app after its deep integration with Xbox. One such feature is tagging gameplay recorded through the xCloud. You are provided with an option to upload the footage as a link after editing the video within the app. Other features include a suggestions window that recommends new games to you based on the activities of your friends.
Games available on Microsoft xCloud
Microsoft has launched more than 15 original Xbox Xbox 360 games on xCloud. This list includes titles like Elder Scrolls III, Morrowind, Fallout etc. these games are now can be streamed on Android devices. Microsoft has also added some additional features such as touch control for games like Jetpac Refuelled, Viva Pinata TIP and Viva Pinata. These games are available to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members and they can now stream on their mobile devices. Microsoft said in its blog, “We’ve listened to the feedback, going back to our earliest cloud gaming preview, and making games from previous generations available on mobile devices has been one of the most requested features by the community,”
The original Xbox one streaming games and Xbox 360 games which are available on xCloud are:
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Tooie
Gears of War: Judgment
Jetpac Refuelled (touch controls enabled)
Kameo
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark Zero
Double Dragon Neon
Fable II
Fallout: New Vegas
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 3
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Viva Piñata (touch controls enabled)
Viva Piñata: TIP (touch controls enabled)
Where to buy Xbox Series X in India?
Games the Shop:
This specialist store has listed Xbox Series X on its website. But unfortunately, you cannot order one yet, but you will be notified as soon as the preorders go live.
Zupitex:
This Delhi-based retailer has confirmed that Xbox Series X is now available in their stores. You can check out the contact details from their official website.
Xcloud On Macos Update
Game Shopee
This Chennai store has the Xbox Series X in their stock. It is a reliable store for buying Xbox series X.