Xbox Cloud Gaming is Coming to Xbox Consoles

The only surprise here is the timing, I guess, but Microsoft will bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One this holiday season. The announcement came during today’s gamescom 2021 event.

“We’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,” Microsoft’s Jake Rosenberg announced. “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.”

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To date, Microsoft has brought Xbox Cloud Gaming—previously codenamed Project xCloud—to Android, and then Windows and iOS via a web app, and then to Windows again via the native Xbox app. So it’s no surprise that we’re getting a native Xbox client as well. And I would imagine we’ll see the service head to set-top boxes like Roku, and perhaps to some smart TVs, next.

As for the Xbox console feature, Microsoft says that it will begin testing the experience with Xbox Insiders “this fall,” and that it will provide an update later about the exact timing of the public release.

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Conversation 9 comments

  • lezmaka

    Premium Member
    24 August, 2021 - 2:34 pm

    <p>Is this going to be limited to insiders at first, like cloud gaming in the Xbox app is still only available to insiders?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      25 August, 2021 - 8:38 am

      <p>Yes, of course.</p>

  • christianwilson

    Premium Member
    24 August, 2021 - 2:49 pm

    <p>This is a great way around having to deal with local storage filling up with games you just want to play occasionally or try out before committing to the download. An additional bonus to this is that someone playing on Xbox One can stream a Series X|S game without buying new hardware. </p>

  • munkeybuziness

    24 August, 2021 - 3:40 pm

    <p>Really seems like the best use case for this service. I’m never going to spend extended periods of time playing xbox games on my mobile phone or tablet.</p>

    • ringofvoid

      24 August, 2021 - 6:53 pm

      <p>Xbox Cloud gaming is a great option for non-gaming laptops. I currently game with Geforce Now on a Chromebook. I’ve been highly tempted by Xbox Cloud</p>

      • vladimir

        Premium Member
        27 August, 2021 - 3:51 pm

        <p>unfortunately Microsoft cloud gaming in the browser is an awful experience. Is laggy, buggy, practically unusable. I think Chromebook users are stuck with Stadia for now. Which is a pity, because the gamepass ultimate catalog is by far superior to anything else</p>

  • awright18

    24 August, 2021 - 5:37 pm

    <p>How do you think controllers would work for something like Roku? Would you have to connect it to your phone which is on the same wifi network? Or have a special controller? Curious how this works with other services like Stadia or Luna</p>

    • spacein_vader

      Premium Member
      25 August, 2021 - 2:36 am

      <p>IIRC it’s usually done via Bluetooth.</p>

  • markbyrn

    Premium Member
    24 August, 2021 - 7:50 pm

    <p>sounds like a good plan to me</p>

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