Xbox Cloud Gaming is a great additional feature offered at no additional cost to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
Now you can enjoy a ton of Xbox Game Pass titles on the go, whether it's on your smartphone, tablet, PC, or even your Xbox console. If you're comparing Xbox Game Pass to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming can point you in the right direction.
For those new to Xbox Cloud Gaming, you're in luck; Cyber Monday 2022 is fast approaching. As part of the Cyber Monday Xbox deals, online retailers are required to lower the cost of the monthly subscription. So be sure to bookmark our hubs and check our Cyber Monday Live blog first for the best deals.
Formerly known as Project xCloud, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming only has a few barriers to overcome. You must subscribe to the Ultimate level of Xbox Game Pass, have a good internet connection and a compatible device to play. If you meet all of these criteria, you can start playing without the need for an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, or even an Xbox Wireless Controller.
If you are interested in the benefits that Xbox Cloud Gaming can offer you; Below we've put together a guide that breaks down everything you need to know about the cloud-based service. We'll also explain why this is a feature you shouldn't sleep on, especially since it's accessible through your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership on the latest Xbox consoles at no additional cost.
And there are more than a few reasons why you should definitely give Xbox Cloud Gaming a try, as it can be a great alternative to simply downloading games to your console or buying one of the best gaming PCs around. Seamlessly cross-platform meaning that when you start playing via the cloud, you'll be able to pick up right where you left off.
Do you entrust your console to another person? If your game is compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming, it can be accessed immediately, allowing you to resume it on another device without losing any progress.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about Xbox Cloud Gaming, its requirements, and the benefits and features it can offer compared to a more traditional console experience.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Get straight to the point
- What is it? Xbox's cloud gaming platform that can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, mobile devices, and PC.
- When did it come out? out now
- How much will it cost? €15 / €10.99 / AU €15.95 per month, the cost of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What You'll Need
As mentioned above, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming first requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. At $14.99 / $10.99 per month, it's a bit more expensive than the basic subscription tier, but the extra cost benefits you by giving you access to Xbox Cloud Gaming and the PC Game service pass.
You will also need a device that is compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming. These include Android and iOS smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13. But Xbox Cloud Gaming will also work on tablets like the iPad, iPad Pro 12.9, and Microsoft's own Surface Go devices. For smartphones and tablets, you'll also need the Xbox Game Pass app, which lets you access and stream compatible games with just a few clicks.
A short list of compatible devices is available on the Xbox website - opens in a new tab. But in general, if you have a modern laptop, smartphone, or tablet running iOS or Android, you should be able to play games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Cloud Gaming titles can also be played on PC, via the desktop app or your favorite internet browser, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox.
At the Meta Connect 2022 event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg to confirm that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. Unfortunately, these games are still a flat-screen experience, you can't suddenly switch to VR mode for Forza Horizon 5. As such, the platform is slowly expanding into new horizons and you can connect your Xbox controller. It also means that Meta Quest can beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Don't have a compatible mobile device? Fear not, you can also play from the cloud directly from your Xbox Series X/S console. Although in this case, we suggest that you simply download the games you want, since you will be able to play beyond the limitations of Xbox Cloud Gaming, such as its inability to stream at 4K resolution.
Touch controls are compatible with touchscreen devices, but you can also use controllers connected via USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth, including the Xbox Wireless Controller, Razer Kishi Mobile Gaming Controller, and even Sony's Dualshock 4. .
Microsoft also recommends a broadband Internet connection for optimal gameplay when using Xbox Cloud Gaming. You'll need at least 20 Mbps speed and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for an entry-level cloud gaming experience. Of course, faster speeds will provide a stronger connection to your streaming game, lowering latency and lessening quirks like screen tearing and the occasional blank screen.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: streaming quality and performance
Streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming means you can instantly play compatible games on the device of your choice, without the need to download the game to your device storage. This instant delivery is not free, of course.
To maintain consistent performance, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams at 1080p resolution up to 60 fps. That means you won't be able to stream games at resolutions higher than 1440p or 4K, but 1080p is more than useful on the smaller screens you'll likely be using for Xbox Cloud Gaming. While a 1080p cap makes Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming more manageable for your bandwidth, you'll still want a fast connection for a consistent experience.
Fortunately, if you meet the criteria for a smooth streaming experience, you'll find that games played via Xbox Cloud Gaming offer sharper visuals and much better load times than the same games played on the last generation Xbox One. loads, in particular, are on par with the remarkably fast Xbox Series X/S SSDs.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What can I play?
You'll be able to play a wide variety of games featured in the Xbox Game Pass library with Xbox Cloud Gaming. Not all games on the service can be streamed, but by using the app you will be able to access a dedicated "Cloud" subsection that lists all the games you can play through the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
The range of titles available to play through Xbox Cloud Gaming is also quite wide. From big-budget first-party titles like Forza Horizon 5, Gears Tactics, and Halo Infinite to some of the most popular indie games like Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and The Outer Wilds.
You'll also be able to stream some of the best third-party games available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, including Dragon Quest 11, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, and Mortal Kombat 11. There's a lot to play on Xbox Cloud Gaming and you can find the list of games complete here (opens in a new tab). You can even play them right from your browser, as long as you have a compatible controller attached to the device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Final Thoughts
Xbox Cloud Gaming offers a very solid alternative for downloading games to storage. It's one of the best game streaming platforms available today, especially when compared to competing services like Nvidia GeForce Now and (soon to be gone) Google Stadia.
You won't be streaming games in 4K any time soon, but what Xbox Cloud Gaming loses in image quality it more than makes up for in connection stability, fast load times, and a wide range of supported devices and controller configurations. Another benefit is that you don't need to have the best Xbox to fully enjoy cloud gaming. This means that even Xbox Series S specs can enjoy a cloud gaming experience equal to Xbox Series X.
Of course, there are notable barriers to entry, such as having to subscribe to the relatively expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as well as having a fairly fast internet connection, but if you meet the criteria, then Xbox Cloud Gaming could be your gateway to discovering the best Xbox Game Pass games whether you're at home or on the go.
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