Cloud Gaming Arrives in the Xbox Game Pass Beta App Tomorrow

Last week, when Microsoft announced that cloud gaming would be joining Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on September 15th, many questions were answered about the future of the service. Crucially, it also answered the question of what happens to xCloud on iOS – thanks Apple.

As Microsoft moves towards bringing this service to life, the company has closed the books on the preview of cloud gaming also known as xCloud. But starting tomorrow, cloud gaming will be part of Xbox Game Pass Beta app on Android.

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This means that if you are using that app and are also an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you will be able to access the service ahead of general availability starting in September. Microsoft provided the following statement about this update:

“As we approach the launch of cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on September 15, we’re entering a limited beta period to ensure a smooth transition of the cloud gaming experience to the Xbox Game Pass app on Android. Existing Xbox Game Pass (Beta) app users will get the opportunity to test a subset of the available titles as we ready the experience for broader availability next month. This limited beta is critical to providing the best possible experience for members at launch and should not be considered indicative of the final experience or library.”

The point of this beta is to help cloud gaming migrate to its final home inside the Xbox Game Pass app and this limited beta test will help the company uncover any last gremlins before launch.

Considering that Microsoft has more than 10 million Game Pass subscribers, more than a few will be trying out cloud gaming on Sept 15th and this is the path to bringing that application to life for those customers in a way that is sustainable.

While not the biggest announcement, when you check out the Game Pass Beta app tomorrow, don’t be surprised if you can start streaming a few titles from the cloud.

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Conversation 5 comments

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    10 August, 2020 - 5:16 pm

    <p>Is home console streaming moving too? Do you need game pass ultimate to do home streaming? </p><p><br></p><p>The 15 million… How many would be ultimate vs just regular game pass? </p>

  • Jester

    10 August, 2020 - 5:56 pm

    <p>I hope Apple comes to senses, I want to play on my iPad. Tried it on the phone when I had my S8+, but didn't like the small screen. </p>

    • Vladimir Carli

      Premium Member
      11 August, 2020 - 6:45 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#560432">In reply to Jester:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>agree. The small screen really makes the experience awful. It almost makes game streaming useless. We really need this to work on the iPad. Not allowing it seems self-harm for apple. I wonder how stubborn they are</p>

  • luis3007

    10 August, 2020 - 7:52 pm

    <p>With less than a third of the planet covered by Xbox the rest are still eagerly waiting for the streaming solutions of Apple, Steam and specially Sony which rules thanks to its global reach.</p>

    • Andi

      11 August, 2020 - 12:58 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#560442">In reply to luis3007:</a></em></blockquote><p>Don't hold your breath. The only model allowed by the app store is the one where you connect with your own hardware via the cloud or you rent a machine a la Shadow. Anything resembling a "netflix of games", xcloud or stadia will be shot down be it Steam or Sony.</p>

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