So, how does the Xbox Cloud Gaming service work, do you join it, and what devices is it available on? Let’s find out.
What Is Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Xbox Cloud Gaming (developed under the codename “Project xCloud”) is Microsoft’s gaming service that lives on the internet. Despite its name, you don’t need an Xbox console to use the service.
In fact, the main draw to Xbox Cloud Gaming is that it lets you play Xbox games without a console nearby. It’s great if you don’t own an Xbox console, or if you’re currently away from one.
Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play the latest games at their best graphics fidelity on devices that could otherwise not run it. For example, you can play games on your phone, an underpowered PC, or even a television without a console attached.
How Does Xbox Cloud Gaming Work?
It may seem odd that you can play the latest and greatest games on something as small as your phone, but the key to Xbox Cloud Gaming (and cloud gaming in general) is that your device doesn’t render any of the game’s graphics whatsoever.
When you use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play a game, Microsoft’s servers do all the heavy lifting for you. The servers load, process, and render the game for you, so your device need not have to lift a finger. Then, the server sends what it rendered to your device.
Of course, what’s a game without user input? In order to control the game, you use touch controls or a controller to send inputs to the server. The server then receives your inputs and translates them into the game.
In a way, it’s like watching a stream of a video game, except you control the character you see on-screen. As you might expect from a stream-based service, this whole process is highly dependent on how good your internet is.
If you have a bad connection, the visuals may look choppy and your inputs may lag behind. However, if your internet is good, the game will look and feel almost as if you were playing it natively at home.
What You Need to Get Started With Xbox Cloud Gaming
First up, in order to enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming, you need to be subscribed to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. This gives you access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, which will work on any compatible device you own. You don’t need to buy a new Pass for each device you own; one Pass will cover you for every device you want to use.
To get started with gaming on the cloud, you need a device that’s compatible with it. This is a lot easier than it sounds because Microsoft has been hard at work bringing Xbox Cloud Gaming to as many systems as possible.
How to Use Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS and Android
To use Xbox Cloud Gaming on an Android or iOS phone, you need to download the official app. The app has a “Cloud” section from which you can launch games. You can launch any of the games you find here, and it’ll begin streaming to your device with touch controls; however, we highly recommend attaching a controller to your phone if you can.
Download: Xbox Game Pass for Android | iOS (Free)
How to Use Xbox Cloud Gaming on a PC or Laptop
At the time of writing, the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on PC has not yet been released. However, you can still stream on your PC or laptop through your browser.
To do that, head over to xbox.com/play. When you follow the link, you should immediately see the Xbox Game Pass library. If you do, click on a game to start streaming.
If you don’t see a library and instead land on a splash page advertising the Xbox Game Pass, it means something has gone wrong. First, double-check that you’re signed in to your Microsoft account.
If you’re not signed in, or you are on an account without an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, sign in with that account and click the above link again. If you are logged into the right account, make sure your subscription is still active, and that it’s set to the Ultimate tier.
What About Xbox Cloud Gaming on Other Devices?
At the time of writing, Microsoft has plans to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to far more devices than the above. For example, it wants to introduce the Xbox app to televisions in a move that may render home consoles obsolete.
The company also plans to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, so gamers can play the latest games at the best graphical fidelity and without taking up precious hard drive space.
Xbox Games, No Matter Where You Are
If you’re frequently away from your Xbox, or you don’t own a console whatsoever, then be sure to give Xbox Cloud Gaming a shot. As long as your internet is stable enough, the service is a great way to game on the go. Who knows; it may even make consoles redundant one day.
