Xbox Cloud Gaming is a great add-on feature at no additional cost to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. You can enjoy tons of Xbox Game Pass featured titles on the go, whether it’s on your smartphone, tablet, PC or Xbox console. If you’re weighing Xbox Game Pass versus Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming might get you over the edge in a good way.
Formerly known as Project xCloud, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming just requires overcoming a few barriers to entry. You must subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, have a strong internet connection, and have a supported device to play the game. If all of these conditions are met, you don’t need an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console or even an Xbox Wireless Controller to start gaming.
If you are interested in the benefits that Xbox cloud gaming can offer you; then, we have prepared a guide that breaks down everything you need to know about the cloud-based service. We’ll also explain why it’s a feature you definitely shouldn’t overlook, especially since it’s free to access with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription on the latest Xbox consoles.
There are many reasons why you should definitely try Xbox Cloud Gaming, as it can be a worthy alternative to simply downloading games to your console or buying one of the best gaming PCs around. For one thing, save data is transferred seamlessly between platforms, meaning that when you start playing a game via the cloud, you’ll be able to pick up exactly where you left off.
Handing over your console to someone else? If your game is supported by Xbox Cloud Gaming, it can be accessed immediately, allowing you to continue it on another device without losing any progress.
Then read on to learn everything you need to know about Xbox cloud gaming, its requirements, and the benefits and features it can offer compared to a more traditional console experience.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Cutting to the chase
- What is it? Xbox’s cloud gaming platform, playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, mobile devices, and PC.
- When will it be out? come out now
- how much is the cost? $15/£10.99/AU$15.95 per month for an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What You Need
As mentioned above, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming first requires a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. At $14.99/£10.99 per month, it’s a little more expensive than the basic subscription tier, but the extra fee does benefit you as you get access to Xbox cloud gaming as well as the Game Pass service for PC.
You’ll also need a device that supports Xbox cloud gaming. These include Android and iOS smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13. But Xbox cloud gaming also works on tablets like the iPad, iPad Pro 12.9, and Microsoft’s own Surface Go device. For smartphones and tablets, you’ll also need the Xbox Game Pass app, which lets you access and stream supported games with just a few clicks.
A brief list of supported devices can be found at Xbox website (opens in a new tab). But in general, if you have any modern laptop, or smartphone or tablet running iOS or Android, you should be able to play games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox cloud gaming can also be played on PC through the desktop app or your favorite internet browser including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox.
During the Meta Connect 2022 event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg in confirming that Xbox cloud gaming will be coming to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. Unfortunately, these games are still flat-screen experiences, and you can’t just jump right into Forza Horizon 5’s VR mode. So the platform is slowly expanding into new horizons that you can connect your Xbox controller to. It also means that Meta Quest might beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Don’t have a supported portable device? Fear not, because you can also play cloud games directly from your Xbox Series X|S console. In this case though, we recommend only downloading the games you want, as you will be able to work past the limitations of Xbox cloud gaming, such as its inability to stream in 4K resolution.
Touchscreen devices support touch controls, but you can also use controllers that connect wirelessly via USB or Bluetooth, including the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Razer Kishi Mobile Gaming Controller, and even Sony’s Dualshock 4.
Microsoft also recommends using a high-speed internet connection when using Xbox Cloud Gaming for the best gaming experience. You’ll need at least 20 Mbps downlink and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for an entry-level cloud gaming experience. Of course, faster speeds will provide a more solid connection for your streaming games, which should lower lag and reduce anomalies like screen tearing and the occasional black screen.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Streaming Quality and Performance
Streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming means you can instantly play supported games on your device of choice without downloading the game to your device’s storage. Of course, instant delivery is not without cost.
For consistent performance, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams at up to 60fps at 1080p resolution. That means you won’t be able to stream games at higher 1440p or 4K resolutions, but 1080p is great on the smaller screens you might be using for Xbox cloud gaming. While the 1080p cap makes Xbox cloud game streaming easier to manage your bandwidth, you still need a fast connection for a consistent experience.
Thankfully, if you meet the criteria for a smooth streaming experience, you’ll find that games played through Xbox Cloud Gaming offer sharper visuals and faster load times than the same games played on a previous-gen Xbox One. Load times, in particular, are comparable to a very fast Xbox Series X|S SSD.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What Can I Play?
You’ll be able to use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play a variety of games from your Xbox Game Pass library. Not all games on the service can be streamed, but by using the app, you’ll be able to access a dedicated “cloud” section that will list all the games you can play through the Xbox cloud gaming service.
The variety of games that can be played through Xbox Cloud Gaming is also quite extensive. From big-budget first-party titles like Forza Horizon 5, Gears Tactics, and Halo Infinite all the way to some of the best indies like Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Outer Wilds.
You can also stream some of the best third-party games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, including Dragon Quest 11, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, and Mortal Kombat 11. Xbox cloud gaming and you can find the full list of games here (opens in a new tab). You can even play them directly from your browser, provided you have a supported controller connected to the device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Final Thoughts
Xbox Cloud Gaming offers a very solid alternative to downloading games to storage. It’s one of the best game streaming platforms out there today, especially when it’s up against competing services like Nvidia GeForce Now and the (soon to be discontinued) Google Stadia.
You won’t be streaming games in 4K anytime soon, but what Xbox Cloud Gaming loses in image quality, it makes up for in connection stability, fast load times, and a wide set of supported devices and controllers. Another bonus is that you don’t need to have the best Xbox to fully enjoy cloud gaming. This means that even the specifications of the Xbox Series S can enjoy the same cloud gaming experience as the Xbox Series X.
Sure, there are some obvious barriers to entry, like having to subscribe to the relatively expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and having a reasonably fast internet connection, but if you fit the bill, then Xbox Cloud Gaming could be your way in whether you’re at home or on the go , all with the best Xbox Game Pass titles.
