Microsoft xCloud Streaming Xbox

[David76]

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox Series X and S are just a little over two weeks away, but Microsoft's Head of Gaming and Xbox Phil Spencer is far from done talking about new hardware. In fact, in a recent interview with Stratechery, Head of Gaming and Xbox Phil Spencer has revealed that Microsoft intends to release a "streaming stick" solution akin to Amazon's Fire Stick to bring Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass (still referred to informally as xCloud) into even more homes. Also on the drawing board are plans to potentially bundle this streaming stick and/or other types of xCloud-streaming hardware into subscription bundles that would take the form of new price-tier offerings on Microsoft's Game Pass service.

"I think you're going to see lower-priced hardware as part of our ecosystem when you think about I think you're going to see lower-priced hardware as part of our ecosystem when you think about streaming sticks and other things that somebody might want to just go plug into their TV and go play via xCloud," Spencer implied. "You could imagine us even having something that we just included in the Game Pass subscription that gave you an ability to stream xCloud games to your television and buying the controller."

Also during the interview, Spencer alluded to the possible introduction of a fourth tier to the current Xbox Game Pass hierarchy dubbed "Xbox Game Pass Platinum" that would provide "guaranteed access to new Xbox Hardware". Given that the Xbox All Access financing program already exists, it isn't clear whether this would be another "lease-to-own" financing plan along those same lines or a less-committal arrangement such as a month-to-month rental program, though the lower cost of similar streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast with Google TV in relation to game consoles would appear to suggest the former option.

Spencer's increasing willingness to speak candidly about Microsoft's future xCloud ambitions seems to be a good indicator of how comfortable the company is within the cloud gaming space in comparison to its rivals, namely Google Stadia and the newly-announced game-streaming service from Amazon, Luna. Having already shored up its already strong partnership with Samsung to feature a customized version of the Xbox Game Pass service on the Korean manufacturer's latest mobile devices (and ultimately its new televisions in the future), the streaming stick solution is yet another example of a seed planted by the Microsoft long ago finally taking solid root. Microsoft reportedly had an "Xbox TV" streaming stick device in the works as far back as 2016, but for one reason or another, cancelled those plans (or in retrospect, wisely put those plans on the backburner, as no one was ready to trust Microsoft with the word "TV" yet ).

 

[David76]

Microsoft has started testing its xCloud game streaming through a web browser. Sources familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans tell The Verge that employees are now testing a web version of xCloud ahead of a public preview. The service allows Xbox players to access their games through a browser, and opens up xCloud to work on devices like iPhones and iPads.



Much like how xCloud currently works on Android tablets and phones, the web version includes a simple launcher with recommendations for games, the ability to resume recently played titles, and access to all the cloud games available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Once you launch a game it will run fullscreen, and you'll need a controller to play Xbox games streamed through the browser.



It's not immediately clear what resolution Microsoft is streaming games at through this web version. The software maker is using Xbox One S server blades for its existing xCloud infrastructure, so full 4K streaming won't be supported until the backend hardware is upgraded to Xbox Series X components this year.

Microsoft is planning to bundle this web version of xCloud into the PC version of the Xbox app on Windows 10, too. The web version appears to be currently limited to Chromium browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, much like Google's Stadia service. Microsoft is planning some form of public preview of xCloud via the web in the spring, and this wider internal testing signals that the preview is getting very close.

The big drive behind this web version is support for iOS and iPadOS hardware. Apple imposes limitations on iOS apps and cloud services, and Microsoft wasn't able to support the iPhone and iPad when it launched xCloud in beta for Android last year. Apple said Microsoft would need to submit individual games for review, a process that Microsoft labeled a "bad experience for customers."

 

[David76]

Microsoft has reportedly begun testing 1080p streams for Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, formerly known as Project xCloud.

According to a report from Windows Central, an anonymous (but trusted) source shared an image of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, complete with a developer overlay for benchmarking network connectivity and resolution. The image shows Hellblade running at 1080p. As it stands, xCloud is limited to a 720p resolution, which does ensure a more stable and smoother connection, but looks pretty terrible in a lot of instances.

It's believed that Project xCloud, which currently runs off of older Xbox One S architecture, will be upgraded with Xbox Series X hardware later this year. This will allow for not only higher-quality streams but should also reduce xCloud load times significantly. When this upgrade is supposed to happen is unknown, but it could roll out fairly soon, seeing as Microsoft has already begun testing 1080p streams.

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1365731532376317963

The Verge's Tom Warren has also been able to get his hands on the unreleased xCloud app for Windows, which allows you to stream Xbox games from the cloud or Series X|S consoles.

Recently, Microsoft started testing its browser-based xCloud solution, which could be used to circumvent Apple's strict App Store guidelines and allow iOS users to finally get in on the Xbox cloud gaming action.

 

[David76]

Later this year, Microsoft will allow Xbox users to try a game before they download it.

It will be possible thanks to Microsoft adding cloud gaming directly into the Xbox app on PC and integrating it into the console experience.

This means you can expect xCloud to be a more unified experience with Xbox consoles and PC.

That's a rather handy option, as it will basically allow you to try a game before you download it.

Speaking in a press briefing ahead of Microsoft's Xbox E3 event, Xbox boss Phil Spencer spoke about the company's commitment to cloud gaming and bringing games to PC.

"We're the only platform shipping games on PC, cloud, and console simultaneously," said Spencer. "Others bring console games to PC years later, not only making people buy their hardware upfront but then charging them a second time to play on PC.

"[And] with cloud gaming, we now have the ability to bring these great AAA-quality games to the hundreds of millions of below-spec Windows PCs that to date haven't been able to play the hit games that everybody sees."

The company is also working with TV manufacturers to embed Xbox experience directly into internet-connected televisions. This would bring the company's games to more people without the need for a console, as all they would need is an Xbox controller.

Microsoft also said this week it wants to release at least one game from its first-party studios onto Xbox Game Pass every three months.

 

[David76]

Microsoft is bringing its Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) service to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/SX consoles later this year, allowing you to download games and try them out before you commit to saving them to your console.

Once xCloud integration kicks off on consoles, anyone using an Xbox One, Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X can simply click play on an Xbox Game Pass game and immediately start playing it via stream, effectively allowing players to try games before they downloading them (costing you both time and data).

As per Microsoft, over 100 Xbox Game Pass titles will be available as part of this first wave of xCloud integration. Interestingly, you'll also be able to sample and play multiplayer games the second you get an invite from pals, without having to download the game. Fancy a co-op round of Minecraft Dungeons? You won't even need to download the game.

Microsoft says it will update its Xbox dashboard on consoles to include a cloud icon that will denote which games can be played this way.

The service will also allow you to play Xbox Series X/S exclusive games (such as Microsoft Flight Simulator and The Medium) on Xbox One, though the former won't be viable at launch – though it is "coming in the future."

xCloud integration will be available for Xbox Insiders in the fall, before coming to other users Holiday 2021.