Xbox Cloud Gaming is getting next-gen treatment too — here’s what we expect to see in the coming months and years for cloud gamers ☁️

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Although many are preoccupied with Microsoft’s Xbox Allies and next-generation Xbox console plans, a crucial aspect of their gaming dominion has managed to stay relatively unnoticed, lurking in the background.

From my perspective, I find Xbox Cloud Gaming to be the most forward-thinking part of Microsoft’s gaming universe. Although it is currently in its beta stage, the service has significantly improved, offering playable levels of latency, an expanding collection of games that can be bought and owned on Xbox Cloud, and access to hundreds of titles through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Xbox Cloud Gaming can be accessed through the web at xbox.com/play, and it can also be installed as a web app on Android, iOS, Samsung, LG TVs, and various other devices. With an Xbox controller and a reliable internet connection (preferably 5GHz Wi-Fi or better), you can enjoy cloud gaming on most modern devices. On lower latency connections, you’ll find that games like XCOM 2 and WH40K: Rogue Trader perform well, even though they are 2D or turn-based titles.

If you’re not willing to make concessions, Xbox Cloud Gaming might not suit your needs perfectly. It sometimes experiences latency issues, and it doesn’t match the speed or offer the same bitrate and resolution options as NVIDIA GeForce Now at higher tiers. The game library could also use some improvement; even games like Diablo 4 (which hasn’t been released yet) aren’t currently available on Xbox Cloud Gaming for various reasons.

As an avid gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder about the exciting prospects that lie ahead for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Here’s a peek into my speculations, hopes, and a dash of rumors that I’ve gathered along the way.

Let’s embark on this journey together!

Lower latency, boosted bitrate and resolution

A frequently debated aspect of Xbox Game Pass lies in comparing its performance against other alternatives. Often, NVIDIA GeForce Now is regarded as the standard to surpass in terms of both quality and speed. It’s important to note that it also accommodates PC Game Pass subscriptions. However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive Xbox console package, Xbox Cloud Gaming offers the best fit.

Xbox Cloud Gaming truly excels in games featuring stationary cameras or 2D graphics. This is because the image processing algorithm appears to handle frames more efficiently when there’s no need for constant updates across the whole screen. Lower latency is also a benefit of this setup.

It’s no surprise that Microsoft is aiming to enhance things around here, as I’ve learned they are already experimenting with PC servers instead of Xbox consoles for their next-gen cloud services. Yet, they plan to keep compatibility with the current collection of games. Microsoft has teamed up with AMD explicitly to ensure Xbox console backward compatibility on their upcoming chips, even though it’s expected these chips will primarily cater to PCs.

In simpler terms, the next-generation Xbox cloud service from Microsoft will likely offer improved resolution and bitrate, aiming to match NVIDIA’s top-tier 4K GFN Ultimate performance. Currently, Microsoft’s offerings max out at 1080p and 60 FPS, but due to various factors, it doesn’t always achieve these targets consistently.

Microsoft has been putting a significant amount of resources into decreasing wait times lately, which could potentially be linked to the stock shortages of Xbox Series X|S consoles because they both share the same fundamental silicon. Interestingly, what usually extends wait times isn’t just server load but also the speed at which games are installed.

If a game isn’t stored on the server closest to you, it needs to fetch the files from the network before the game starts. For bigger games, this often results in longer loading times. However, as Microsoft expands the local storage in their data centers, this problem should occur less frequently.

Microsoft is not only aiming to enhance waiting periods, resolution quality, and bitrates, but also working on minimizing latency from the user’s perspective. Our reliable sources suggest that the upcoming next-gen Xbox controllers (available in both standard and Elite versions) will feature three distinct communication channels. One is for Bluetooth connectivity, another is for the current-generation Xbox wireless signal, and the last one is Wi-Fi.

Instead of routing your Xbox controller’s signals through your device over Bluetooth, you can directly link it to your home Wi-Fi network. This way, the signals will go straight to the Xbox Cloud servers, bypassing your device in the process. This setup is particularly advantageous for TV gaming as these devices typically don’t have top-tier Bluetooth radios.

A cheaper Xbox cloud-only subscription?

One benefit, but also a potential drawback, that NVIDIA GeForce Now has over Xbox Cloud Gaming is in its subscription plans. Unlike Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now provides a free tier at 1080p resolution, although this version includes video ads and a limit of one hour per session. The premium tiers offer resolutions up to 1440p and 4K without ads, and longer sessions lasting 6 or 8 hours respectively.

Xbox Cloud Gaming streamlines gaming experiences by eliminating time constraints and advertisements, while offering only one tier at $20 monthly through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This subscription includes both PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Core for online play on Xbox consoles. However, if you’re a dedicated cloud gamer who doesn’t require additional console features or PC add-ons, this might not cater to your specific needs.

Microsoft is considering cloud-exclusive subscription plans, but it remains unclear if these will mirror NVIDIA GeForce Now or offer unique experiences. Given that Microsoft and other platform providers have been investigating ad-supported free games for a while, there’s a chance we might see a free Xbox Cloud Gaming tier funded by purchases and advertisements in the future.

It’s likely that the standard version of Microsoft’s cloud gaming service will cost less than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. However, it’s also possible that in the future, they might introduce a higher-tier Xbox Cloud Gaming service focusing on 4K resolution and possibly offering additional perks.

It seems plausible that Microsoft might divide their Xbox Cloud Gaming tiers based on game libraries, much like they do with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. One could imagine a basic cloud gaming tier without all the day-one games, similar to Xbox Game Pass Standard. We’ll just have to keep an eye out for future developments.

An expanding library of games and features

Approximately every three weeks, Microsoft adds more games to its Xbox Cloud Gaming service. This includes new titles that can be purchased, like the recent inclusion of Cult of the Lamb, as well as games being added to the Game Pass library, such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4. (Thanks for the suggestion on Cult of the Lamb!)

Microsoft is working diligently to create a unified user interface across all devices. The Xbox Game Bar, Xbox console, and now the Xbox Cloud Gaming web UI all feature a similar “Xbox Guide” menu. It’s likely that this design and functionality will become even more integrated in the future, providing users with a seamless experience regardless of device or method of use. I wouldn’t be surprised if Xbox Cloud Gaming adds options for recording clips and screenshots in the future, which could be saved to your OneDrive account.

In the future, it’s possible that we could incorporate some futuristic elements like seamlessly transitioning game sessions from console to PC to cloud using Quick Resume technology. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind seeing cloud save upload indicators as well – whomever you may be.

Essentially, Microsoft aims to build a community of gamers predominantly using the cloud, possibly exclusively so, and grant them premium status similar to console and PC users.

Regardless, Xbox Cloud Gaming remains a somewhat overlooked cornerstone within Microsoft’s broader gaming landscape. Recently, Microsoft announced during its latest financial report that Xbox Cloud Gaming is responsible for an unprecedented number of playtime hours for the company. Furthermore, with buy-to-play games, it opens up a fresh avenue for developers to reach larger user bases.

Essentially, Microsoft aims to establish a community of gamers who primarily or exclusively use the cloud, granting them similar prestige as console and PC users.

It’s yet unclear if “cloud” gaming will eventually become widespread, but since I use it often as an additional tool, I find myself optimistic about the continuous funding being poured in.

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2025-07-15 21:10