Xbox Testing Big Cloud Gaming Upgrade

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Xbox Testing Big Cloud Gaming Upgrade

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft reportedly started internally testing Xbox Cloud Gaming support for owned games.
  • The feature is rumored to reach the Xbox Insiders program before the end of November 2024.
  • The ability to stream owned Xbox games has been in the works since at least late 2019, when Microsoft first promised it was coming to what was then called Project xCloud.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel like a kid in a candy store hearing about the imminent arrival of Xbox Cloud Gaming support for owned games. The anticipation has been building since the days of Project xCloud, and it seems we’re finally on the cusp of making this dream a reality.

It appears that Microsoft is rumored to be trialing the compatibility of Xbox Cloud Gaming with games that users have purchased directly. This experimental function, anticipated to roll out to some Xbox Game Pass subscribers soon, has been under development for approximately five years.

Microsoft first revealed plans to stream owned games through Xbox Cloud Gaming (originally known as Project xCloud) during X019 in November 2019. They mentioned at the time that a beta version would be available in 2020. Although this didn’t happen, Microsoft has continued to confirm that the ability to stream purchased Xbox games is still on its way.

According to a recent report from The Verge, Microsoft appears to be gearing up to deliver on their promise as they’ve reportedly started testing the new feature internally. The upcoming version of this service is rumored to accommodate ten games, half of which were previously part of Xbox Game Pass, such as Hades, High on Life, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Metro Exodus, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The remaining five games are said to include Dredge, Dying Light 2, the complete edition of The Witcher 3, as well as the Xbox One versions of The Crew Motorfest and PGA Tour 2K23.

Xbox Cloud Gaming Support for Streaming Some Owned Games Is Reportedly Coming Soon

The planned feature is set to become available to certain users by the end of November 2024, according to the same source. It has been said that an early version of this feature will initially be provided to members of the Xbox Insiders program, a group that anyone can join. At this point, it’s not clear which Xbox games will be included in the beta testing phase. The Verge suggests that Microsoft aims to enable users to stream multiple games from their own library, based on information from sources familiar with the project.

Games That Might Become Streamable Via Xbox Cloud Gaming Soon

  • Dredge
  • Dying Light 2
  • Hades
  • High On Life
  • Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Metro Exodus
  • PGA Tour 2K23 (Xbox One)
  • The Crew Motorfest (Xbox One)
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Complete Edition)

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that this report aligns with what Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, announced back in February. He promised that Xbox Cloud Gaming would start streaming games we already own by the end of 2024. This move will position the service more competitively against services like Boosteroid and Nvidia’s GeForce Now, which currently allow players to stream games they own on different platforms using cloud technology.

Xbox Cloud Gaming, a benefit exclusively for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers at present, has the potential to grow significantly if it allows users to stream games they’ve purchased outright. If this happens, the service could potentially thrive independently. It is rumored that Microsoft is contemplating this possibility, and recent speculation points towards them exploring the creation of a cloud-exclusive Xbox Game Pass tier.

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2024-11-08 15:44