Ultimately, Project xCloud is about providing gamers — whether they prefer console or PC — new choices in when and where they play, while giving mobile-only players access to worlds, characters and immersive stories they haven’t been able to experience before.
The goal with Project xCloud is to deliver a quality experience for all gamers on all devices that’s consistent with the speed and high-fidelity gamers experience and expect on their PCs and consoles.
Cloud game-streaming is a multi-faceted, complex challenge. Unlike other forms of digital entertainment, games are interactive experiences that dynamically change based on player input. Delivering a high-quality experience across a variety of devices must account for different obstacles, such as low-latency video streamed remotely, and support a large, multi-user network. In addition to solving latency, other important considerations are supporting the graphical fidelity and framerates that preserve the artist’s original intentions, and the type of input a player has available.
During its Gamescom 2021 Xbox stream Microsoft revealed they’re bringing cloud gaming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One this holiday, enabling Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play 100+ games right from the cloud and discover new games with the click of a button.
It’s a way for console gamers to play some of their favorite games as quickly as possible, jump into games with friends more easily, and try out Xbox Game Pass titles before installing them.
With the ability to play games before you install, it’ll be easier than ever for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to:
- Discover and play over 100 high-quality games in the Xbox Game Pass library without having to use valuable storage space or wait for installs.
- Quickly jump into the fun with your friends in multiplayer games, like Sea of Thieves, as soon as you get the invite so you can set sail without waiting for an install.
- Play Gen 9-only Xbox games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and The Medium on your Xbox One via the cloud – coming in the future.
Bottom line? Cloud gaming on your console further reduces your time to fun! All you have to do is navigate to Xbox Game Pass and look for games with the cloud icon.
Next, click the “Play” button and get to gaming. It’s as simple as that!
We’ll begin testing the experience as part of our Xbox Insider program this fall, so that we can gather valuable feedback and improve the experience. Keep an eye out on Xbox Wire for more details on the rollout and release timing.
To ensure the highest quality experience across the broadest set of devices, we will support up to 1080p and at 60fps just like Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) across PCs, phones and tablets.
