Xbox is expanding its own cloud gaming service. You can now stream the games from the Game Pass on your PC and mobile. According to Catherine Gluckstein, Vice President and Head of Product, the latest Xbox Series X hardware is used.
In our overview you can find out everything about the new service, what makes it special and what you have to pay attention to.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Prerequisites
The Ultimate version and Windows 10 are required so that you can play all the games from the Xbox Game Pass on your PC. You also do not stream the games via the Xbox app, but call the Cloud Gaming Beta Website via a compatible browser. The following browsers are supported at the start:
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Safari
In addition to the PC, smartphones are also supported: According to Xbox, “iOS and Android devices” are supported. Android is supported from version 6.0, with Apple you need at least iOS 14.4. In the Google Play Store there is also the option of using the Xbox Game Pass-App to use for mobile devices.
Link to Twitter content
Some games in Xbox Cloud Gaming already support Touch Control – control on the smartphone via the display itself. An Xbox wireless controller is recommended, which you connect to the respective device via Bluetooth or USB cable.
Resolution and FPS at the start
At the start, the quality of the stream is a maximum of 1080p (Full HD) at 60fps. However, it is already mentioned in the official announcement that there will be higher resolutions and new features in the future. Xbox is also planning its own app for Windows 10. It is quite conceivable that an integration of the cloud gaming service will be integrated into the existing Xbox app.
Xbox itself presents the new technology in a video:
Link to YouTube content
Technology and self-test from Xbox Cloud Gaming
Xbox Series X Hardware: Xbox relies on proven hardware for cloud gaming: the components of the Xbox Series X are used in the data centers. This not only supports new games, but also old Xbox 360 titles such as the Banjo-Kazooie and Gears series as well as Fable 2. At the moment it is not possible to play with a mouse and keyboard. You need an Xbox or compatible controller.
The self-test: GameStar author Sören Diedrich has already carried out a self-test. He positively emphasizes the loading times and the audio quality. During the first attempt, the image quality fluctuated in some places, but the 60 FPS were kept constant.
On the other hand, the input lag and latency were clearly noticeable in some titles. Shooters or racing games are currently causing major problems. Slower titles, on the other hand, work well. In addition to the bandwidth, one reason for this could also be the utilization of the respective data centers. Especially at peak times, the quality is likely to suffer significantly from the huge rush.
We are preparing a latency comparison of the various cloud gaming providers in which we go into detail on technology and latency. We already compared a number of providers last year:
more on the subject
What do Stadia, Luna, Geforce Now & Co offer?
For Europe standards humane bandwidth requirements
The biggest problem with cloud gaming, besides latency, is internet speed. In a global comparison, Europey is lagging behind in the midfield. The average download speed in 2020 was 25 Mbit / s.
In order to use the Xbox Cloud Gaming Service on the PC, you need at least 20 Mbit / s in the download according to official information. At least 7 Mbit / s on Android, 10 Mbit / s on the iPhone and 20 Mbit / s for iPad.
Cross-platform storage is also supported. For example, you start a new quest in Fable 2 on the PC and can then switch seamlessly to your tablet and continue playing on the couch, or – if the internet allows it – during a train journey.
What else you need to know
Cross-platform saving and playing is a big advantage. However, the Xbox app is not known for its ease of use. Dimi explains in his column why Microsoft’s biggest PC problem has nothing to do with the games. Rather, Microsoft stands in its own way on the PC.
All new games in Xbox Game Pass will also be available in the cloud from day one. This eliminates long installation times and you can start directly and with almost no loading times. The new games in the Xbox Game Pass from July 2021 can of course also be played directly.
What about Project xCloud?
On September 1, 2020, Project xCloud’s public preview ended. As of September 15, 2020, cloud gaming technology has been offered as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. The former name xCloud has now become »Xbox Cloud Gaming«.
Will you use the cloud offer? Which games are you particularly looking forward to? Please write us in the comments.
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