What you need to know
- Right now, Xbox Cloud Gaming only supports games in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but that’s changing from November 2024.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming is finally getting the ability to purchase games to own outside of Game Pass, confirmed in a thread by Xbox President Sarah Bond.
- However, it won’t instantly give you access to your entire digital Xbox console game library, with the rollout set to be gradual over the coming weeks and months ahead.
As a long-time gamer who has seen the evolution of gaming from cartridges to cloud streaming, I find myself both excited and somewhat apprehensive about Xbox Cloud Gaming. On one hand, the idea of being able to access my entire game library from anywhere at any time sounds like a dream come true for someone who’s always on the go. But on the other hand, I remember the days when I would eagerly wait for new games to arrive in the mail and the joy of popping them into my console.
At last, it’s official! The much-anticipated launch of buy-and-play Xbox games via cloud service is set for next month, specifically in November 2024. However, here are some important points you should be aware of.
Back in 2019, Microsoft shared its long-term strategy for Xbox Cloud Gaming, aiming to make all Xbox games accessible via the cloud. Ever since, we’ve been anxiously waiting for a definite timeline about the program’s release, and just yesterday, Xbox President Sarah Bond hinted that the plan is finally moving forward. Yet, some essential details regarding its launch are yet to be disclosed.
Post by @bondsarah_bondView on Threads
So, what’s going on with Xbox Cloud Gaming?
So, what’s going on with Xbox Cloud Gaming?
In a discussion previously, Sarah Bond praised the U.S. courts for their decision in the Google vs. Epic case, which mandated Google to allow third-party sales on its app platform. This ruling means that Google Play’s policies, which restrict platforms from selling content directly through apps, will likely be altered. For instance, you can no longer buy Kindle books directly within the Kindle app on Android. However, this change is expected in the U.S., and it might not be long before similar changes happen in the EU as well.
One question that has come up for me regarding this new feature is, “Will it work on iOS devices? Is it available globally outside of the U.S.?
Will Xbox Cloud Gaming “buy to own” be available on iOS, PC, or outside the United States?
Initially, it seems that only Android devices in the U.S. will have access to the updated Xbox app feature. Unfortunately, Apple’s app platform remains restrictive, so an iOS version is unlikely at this point. However, there’s a possibility that Google may win their appeal and change this situation. Additionally, there’s a chance that Google might find some technical loophole or fine print reason to remove the Xbox app from the Google Play Store, similar to how they pulled the YouTube app for Windows Phone in the past.
Absolutely! To enjoy those cloud games, you’ll indeed require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Keep in mind, running such server infrastructure doesn’t come without its costs. Now, if you don’t own an Android device, let me help you out – you can still access these games on your PC with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription!
As a researcher, it appears I’ve discovered that Microsoft is intending to extend these features to the web version of Xbox.com/play. This means that even if Google poses a threat or you own an iPhone, you can still enjoy your Xbox games through the web platform. Moreover, the Xbox app on Amazon Fire Stick 4K devices and Samsung TVs compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming, which currently operate based on the website, should also receive this functionality around the same time. It’s reasonable to assume that the Xbox app on PC will follow suit, given the nature of these developments.
What regions will Xbox Cloud Gaming “Bring Your Own Games” be available in?
It appears that although currently, only the US version of Android supports this feature natively, Microsoft plans to make it possible to play your own games via the cloud on more Xbox Cloud Gaming markets through Xbox.com/play in the future. However, the specific dates for this rollout are yet to be determined. It’s likely that Microsoft will first focus on the US market and then gradually expand to other regions as time goes by.
To find out if your location allows Xbox Cloud Gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, simply visit xbox.com/regions. The countries that currently support this feature are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States.
Will Xbox Cloud Gaming support ALL of my games on day one?
An additional thing to keep in mind is that when Xbox Cloud Gaming launches in the U.S., not all games from your collection will be playable right away. This is due to a couple of reasons: some publishers may choose not to participate because they have exclusive partnerships with other platforms, or are planning to develop their own cloud services. Additionally, there’s a technical aspect to consider – the cloud servers for Xbox rely on Xbox hardware and can occasionally experience delays when streaming games on demand if they haven’t been recently used by another player within that server node.
So far, Xbox’s cloud gaming library, powered by Xbox Game Pass, offered around 300 games. However, they aim to significantly increase this collection to tens of thousands of titles. This could translate to a substantial amount of additional data storage, potentially requiring terabytes. Therefore, it seems that the release of the current Xbox Cloud Gaming library will be rolled out in stages, much like how NVIDIA GeForce Now introduces new Steam games to its service as they strike deals with license holders and expand their storage capabilities.
Absolutely! Although the initial release won’t immediately grant you access to your entire game collection, it does mark a significant stride towards a future where you can play all your Xbox games, regardless of location, whenever you wish.
A future in the Xbox cloud
In a world where platform owners are seeking new avenues for growth, cloud gaming appears to be a compelling possibility. As more players shift towards cloud-based and digital experiences, with physical media sales decreasing due to the rise of platforms like Steam, iOS, and Android, there’s an expectation that content should be accessible across devices. This is the reality that the upcoming generation of consumers has grown accustomed to.
Microsoft aspires to lead in this budding market, but it faces considerable hurdles. Cloud gaming, including Xbox Cloud Gaming, heavily relies on a stable network. Even with high internet speed, one must ensure they’re utilizing 5GHz Wi-Fi for optimal performance, or even an ethernet connection in some instances. Not everyone is prepared or equipped to meet the demands of cloud gaming. Since Microsoft aims at individuals who are casual and don’t wish to own a home console at all, there’s a noticeable gap when considering the technical intricacies of optimizing home networking. Many gamers already possess Xbox Series X|S consoles or Windows PCs for local gaming, which makes me question how attractive something like cloud gaming might be for those who choose not to own a console.
Still, even if “cloud” simply becomes another way for core users to access their Xbox content, I’m all for it. I’m not sure Xbox Cloud Gaming will deliver the new audience Xbox is hoping for, but technological advancements with Wi-Fi and mobile networks could eliminate the accessibility gap. It’s crucial that Microsoft has a foot in the door if it does become more popular. And I’d say they have a pretty big foot in there already. It would be a nice addition for saving storage on an Xbox handheld … that’s for sure.
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2024-10-12 16:39