Come September, Xbox gaming will be available on cloud
Microsoft said Thursday its cloud video game service will debut in September as an attribute open to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
“We’re bringing Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud together at no additional expense for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members,” Xbox team head Phil Spencer said in a post.
“With cloud gaming in Game Pass Ultimate, it is possible to play over 100 Xbox Game Pass titles on your own phone or tablet.”
Ultimate subscribers, who pay $15 monthly, can access a library of games for play on Xbox consoles or Windows-powered computers.
“Cloud gaming in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate means your games are no more locked to the living room,” Spencer said.
“And like everyone else do with your movie and music streaming services, when cloud gaming launches into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can continue your game wherever you left off on any of your devices.”
Microsoft is to host a streamed event on July 23 showcasing games which will be designed for play on a new-generation Xbox Series X to launch late this season.
Pricing has yet to be announced, however the release date was confirmed for the Christmas holiday season next year, when Sony’s PlayStation 5 console is also scheduled to turn out.
The existing PlayStation 4 has outsold Xbox by a lot more than two to 1, but Microsoft hopes to take the battle back again to Sony, which includes yet to provide any technical details because of its own new console.
Consoles face a potential threat from the advent of cloud gaming, however. Google this past year launched its Stadia streaming service, allowing action on any internet-connected device.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has a PlayStation Now service that combines cloud gaming and title downloads that's synched to its latest-generation consoles and Windows-powered personal computers.
Having titles take a seat on powerful servers in the cloud could enable unprecedented features such as for example thousands of men and women playing simultaneously or environments as detailed as the real world.
