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 someone who has been following the evolution of gaming since the days of Atari and Nintendo, I must admit that the latest development in Xbox Cloud Gaming excites me to no end. After years of waiting, it seems like Microsoft is finally ready to take the plunge and let us purchase games outside of Game Pass on their cloud service.
At last, it’s happening! The eagerly anticipated launch of buy-to-own Xbox games via the cloud is just around the corner – set for next month, specifically, November 2024. However, here are some crucial points you might want to take note of.
Microsoft shared its ambitious long-term strategy for Xbox Cloud Gaming back in 2019, aiming to make their entire Xbox games library accessible via the cloud. Since then, there’s been a great deal of anticipation regarding the launch timeline for this program. Yesterday, Xbox President Sarah Bond revealed that the plan is finally moving forward, although some specifics are yet to be disclosed.
Post by @bondsarah_bondView on Threads
In the previous discussion, Sarah Bond expressed praise for the U.S. court verdict in the Google vs. Epic case, which mandates Google to make its app platform accessible to third-party marketplaces and transactions. Previously, Google Play policies restricted platforms from selling content directly through their apps, as seen with the removal of Kindle book sales within the Kindle app on Android devices. However, this U.S. court ruling could bring about a shift in this policy.
One question that has been on my mind regarding this new feature is whether it will be compatible with iOS devices, or if it will only work in the U.S.?
Initially, it seems that only the Android version of the Xbox app in the U.S. will have this new feature. Unfortunately, Apple’s app platform remains restrictive, so iOS users won’t see it anytime soon. It’s also possible that Google could overturn its current decision on appeal, or find some technical loophole to remove the Xbox app from the Google Play Store, similar to how they handled the YouTube app for Windows Phone API keys in the past.
Indeed, you’ll require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play your cloud games as well, because operating those servers doesn’t come at a small cost. However, if you don’t own an Android device, here’s a workaround: You can use the cloud streaming feature on your PC by installing the Xbox Console Streaming app from the Microsoft Store and connecting it to your console. This way, you can still enjoy your cloud games without needing an Android device.
It appears that Microsoft intends to make these features available on both Xbox.com/play and web versions, ensuring accessibility even if there’s an issue with Google or you have an iPhone. Furthermore, since the Xbox app on Amazon Fire Stick 4K devices and Samsung TVs that support Xbox Cloud Gaming are already web-based, they should receive these features at around the same time as well.
It appears that the cloud gaming feature for playing your own games, currently available only on Android in the U.S., will expand to more Xbox Cloud Gaming markets through Xbox.com/play. However, the specific release dates for this expansion remain uncertain. It’s possible that Microsoft will first implement this feature in the U.S., followed by a gradual rollout to other regions over time.
At launch, Xbox Cloud Gaming won’t have access to your entire game library within the United States as well. This is due to a couple of reasons: some publishers may choose not to participate because they already have exclusive agreements with other services or are planning to develop their own cloud gaming platforms in the future. The technical aspect involves Xbox’s cloud servers, which are built on Xbox hardware. At peak times, if you experience queues while using Xbox Cloud Gaming, it could be due to the server node downloading the game from network-attached storage if it hasn’t been played recently by another user in that same node.
Previously, Xbox’s cloud gaming library, provided by Xbox Game Pass, offered approximately 300 games. However, they aim to significantly increase this collection, potentially reaching tens of thousands of titles. This could mean additional terabytes of data needing network-attached storage. As a result, it seems the release of the current Xbox Cloud Gaming library will be done in stages, much like NVIDIA GeForce Now when new Steam games join their service, as they negotiate with license holders and expand their own storage capacity.
Indeed, the initial deployment may not immediately grant you unlimited access to your complete game collection upon its release, but it certainly marks a significant stride towards that day when you can enjoy playing your Xbox games from anywhere and anytime you wish.
A future in the Xbox cloud
In a world where platform owners are seeking new avenues for expansion, cloud gaming appears to be a promising contender. With players becoming more accustomed to digital and cloud-based experiences as physical media sales decrease due to the rise of digital platforms like Steam, iOS, and Android, there is an expectation that content should be accessible across multiple devices. This is the reality that the upcoming generation of consumers have been raised in.
Microsoft aspires to be a pioneer in this emerging market, but there are substantial hurdles to overcome. The success of Xbox Cloud Gaming and cloud gaming overall heavily relies on network stability. Although a robust internet connection is essential, it’s also crucial to ensure you’re using 5GHz Wi-Fi or even an ethernet connection for the optimal experience. However, not everyone may be prepared or capable of meeting these technical demands associated with cloud gaming. Since Microsoft aims at catering to individuals who are casual and don’t wish to own a home console whatsoever, there remains a significant gap in terms of simplifying complex home networking adjustments. It leaves me questioning the allure of cloud gaming for those who choose not to invest in consoles like Xbox Series X|S or personal computers.
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 04:41