There are early signs that Xbox Cloud Gaming is set for a BIG upgrade — could it finally match NVIDIA GeForce Now?

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Xbox Cloud Gaming is good, but it could be better.

Microsoft once focused solely on Xbox consoles for its gaming platform, but that era is past. Now, Microsoft is diligently working to extend Xbox’s presence to compatible PC hardware, like the Xbox Ally. Additionally, Microsoft has been making Xbox games available on PC through Xbox Play Anywhere. However, an innovative way to attract new users might be through cloud-based gaming solutions.

The Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which is still labeled as being in beta, may leave its testing phase later on this year, as Microsoft readies it for full-scale release.

Recently, Microsoft unveiled plans to make its Xbox Cloud Gaming service available across a broader range of Xbox Game Pass memberships. This move aims to make the service less expensive and easier to access for those who don’t require or prefer a comprehensive Xbox Game Pass package. However, affordability isn’t typically the primary concern for many; instead, they prioritize other factors.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been following the evolution of cloud gaming closely, and it seems like the perception often puts NVIDIA GeForce Now at the forefront in terms of raw performance compared to Xbox Cloud Gaming. On paper, both should have similar latency, but the public sees NVIDIA as leading the pack in cloud gaming.

However, when it comes to the highest tiers of NVIDIA’s service, they offer sharper resolutions and higher bitrates compared to what Xbox Cloud Gaming offers currently. This results in an experience that is more akin to native playback.

But here’s where things get interesting: the gap between these two services might be narrowing soon. The potential improvements on the Xbox Cloud Gaming side could bring us closer to the performance level that NVIDIA GeForce Now currently offers. I, for one, can’t wait to see how this unfolds!

Recently, RedPhx, the developer behind the Better XCloud tool for enhancing Xbox Cloud Gaming, has spotted some newly introduced performance tiers within Microsoft’s service offering.

The fresh set of options now include 720HQ, 1080HQ, and 1440, adding to the current lineup of 720 and 1080 video streams that are available currently.

It maintains the original meaning while using slightly different word choices for a more natural and easy-to-read sentence structure.

As a researcher, I can say that the high-quality (HQ) modes at 720 and 1080 resolutions are suggested to offer higher bitrates, which typically result in a clearer, sharper visual experience. On larger TVs and monitors, the 1440 mode is anticipated to deliver an even cleaner and more defined image quality, despite not currently featuring its own dedicated HQ mode.

It’s plausible that Microsoft could be considering offering different quality settings for various tiers of Xbox Game Pass, much like NVIDIA GeForce Now subscriptions. In this scenario, lower resolutions such as 720p and 1080p might be available in the basic and standard tiers of Xbox Game Pass respectively. Meanwhile, higher quality modes including 1440p could be exclusive to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Given that higher resolution and bitrates require more power consumption, it’s likely that these improvements would come at a higher cost for the platform provider.

The lower versions of Xbox Game Pass, specifically Xbox Game Pass Core and Standard, don’t provide the extensive game library available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Instead, they enable users to purchase cloud-based games for permanent ownership, which resembles Google’s discontinued Stadia service in this aspect. Microsoft refers to this functionality as “Stream Your Own Game,” though it’s not particularly memorable. This feature includes numerous games that can be bought and played on any device.

A much, much needed quality boost

Microsoft collaborates with Samsung and LG, among others, to pre-install the Xbox Cloud Gaming service on their TVs. Additionally, this service is now available directly on Windows 11 through the Xbox app. There are also third-party devices and accessories such as the Logitech G Cloud and Razer Kishi V3 Pro that support Xbox Cloud Gaming. Interestingly, Microsoft revealed today that Xbox Cloud Gaming will soon be accessible via LG’s WebOS platform in cars. However, it seems that Xbox Cloud Gaming has not yet gained significant popularity among mainstream users.

Microsoft encounters substantial hurdles when it comes to widespread usage. At present, a practical ban on the service has been imposed by both Google and Apple with the intention of impeding Microsoft and NVIDIA from introducing a novel sales platform within their respective mobile environments. In response, Microsoft devised an expansive custom Xbox.com/play web application, which is highly effective, but may struggle in terms of exposure due to this limitation.

Microsoft had initially intended to develop an Xbox Cloud Gaming console using the Android platform, named Project Hobart. However, this plan didn’t come to fruition as a result of financial constraints.

Without direct access through the app store, Xbox Cloud Gaming primarily relies on word-of-mouth recommendations for acquiring new significant users. However, it appears that its popularity is not expanding at the rate Microsoft might prefer.

As an analyst, I find that the future of Xbox Cloud Gaming holds significant promise, given its ongoing advancements in bitrate and resolution, increased affordability, and planned entry into new market territories – all of which are key factors contributing to its growth potential.

It’s likely that gaining adoption among Gen-Z and younger groups will primarily be about content, rather than focusing on affordability. In previous times, Call of Duty might have been a means to reach these audiences, but now platforms like Roblox are more popular, especially since many of these games are mobile-friendly by nature.

It’s likely that Xbox Cloud Gaming will mainly serve as an additional feature for individuals already within the Xbox community. In certain regions where cloud gaming could prove more cost-effective than conventional console gaming due to taxes and tariffs, it may gain popularity. However, Microsoft has not demonstrated exceptional success in expanding its consumer base beyond its primarily Anglo-centric market.

Looking forward, we should receive an official update about the latest resolutions and bitrate choices shortly. I’ll make certain to share the specifics with you once that happens.

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2025-09-09 19:41