What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Playing games from the comfort of your sofa or ergonomic gaming chair is usually the preferred way to play your games. Kick your feet up in front of your Xbox console and play Forza Horizon 4 on the big screen while munching on a bag of Doritos, or lounging in that bucket gaming chair while swinging a few Gears Tactics on your Windows 10 PC. But inevitably, you’ll have to. leaving that environment – it seems wrong to consider it, we know – and you can’t very well bring these items to go to work or those family events where you just want to disappear into the Context.
For many years the handheld gaming scene has been dominated by Nintendo, especially with the Switch, PlayStation was rocking handheld gaming with the Vita, although that is now on the verge of disappearing, and more recently Valve has joined. melee with the new Steam Deck. But each of those systems requires you to purchase a new device, and if you’re only an Xbox gamer, you’ll need to purchase all of the new games for that device. That’s where Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming comes in – giving you a wide selection of games to play on the mobile / tablet device you already own, streamed directly from its servers for a monthly subscription. We’ve digged in to bring you all the information you need to decide if Xbox Cloud Gaming is right for you.

What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Xbox Cloud Gaming – formerly Project xCloud – is Microsoft’s official cloud gaming platform and is part of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription that lets you stream compatible games to your mobile, tablet, laptop, or desktop PC. desktop – the full list of games can be found on the Xbox website, due to the constantly evolving list we have not included each game individually. You can access Xbox Cloud Gaming through Xbox.com or the Xbox Game Pass app, and this allows you to transfer your console gaming experience to other devices you already own.

What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier subscription to Microsoft’s Netflix-style gaming service and offers members additional benefits over the basic Xbox Game Pass subscription. New Game Pass members can enjoy a 1-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $ 1 / £ 1 instead of the usual $ 14.99 / £ 10.99. The Ultimate membership comes with Xbox Cloud Gaming and a host of other features:

• Access to over 100 games
• EA Play subscription
• Xbox Live Gold
• Xbox cloud games
• Additional Xbox Game Pass quests
• Free benefits and discounts for members.

Who can use Xbox Cloud Gaming?

The service is currently only available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers who live in the following locations:

How it works?

Xbox Cloud Gaming works by connecting your compatible device to the Xbox network (more on devices next) so that you can access games in Microsoft’s data centers. This is where the magic happens, these data centers are built with stacks of systems using the same hardware as Xbox Series X consoles called Server Blades – these blades do all the heavy lifting when streaming games and output all content at 120Hz so that streaming game play on your device in the best possible quality. Depending on your device connection and your distance from the nearest server, gameplay should be streamed at 1080p and capped at 60fps.

What devices are compatible?

Xbox Cloud Gaming is compatible with Android, Apple, and Windows 10 devices, although you’ll need to use the service differently depending on which device you’re using. This Reddit page covers everything about devices supported by Xbox Cloud Gaming. Once you’ve paid for your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership and confirmed that the service is available in your region, follow the instructions below to start playing:

Android

Android users can use Xbox Cloud Gaming through the dedicated app or through the browser experience like Apple and Windows 10. You must use at least Android 6.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 on a phone or tablet, as well as a minimum Internet Speed ​​7Mps on a 5 GHz WiFi connection (2.4 GHz WiFi may work but is not optimized).

To download the dedicated application, go to Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store (Samsung devices only). Download the app and sign in with your Microsoft account.

To play through your browser, open Google Chrome and go to Xbox.com/play and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Apple

Apple iPhones and iPads cannot access the dedicated app at this time, so using Xbox Cloud Gaming through your browser is your only option. You will need to be running at least iOS 14.4 and Bluetooth 4.0 along with a minimum internet speed of 10 Mps for iPhone and 20 Mps for iPad. A 5 GHz connection will be required for an optimal experience (2.4 GHz will work but is not optimized).

The following devices are confirmed compatible: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Pro 11 2nd generation, iPad Mini 5th generation, iPad 8th generation.

To use the service, open Apple Safari 14 or Apple Safari (iPad), go to Xbox.com/play, and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Windows 10

Windows 10 devices are pretty much the same as Apple devices in that there is no dedicated app support for Xbox Cloud Gaming, so using a browser is your only option. You will need to use at least the October 2020 update of Windows 10 and Bluetooth 4.0, as well as a minimum internet speed of 20 Mps on a 5 GHz WiFi connection (2.4 GHz will work but is not optimized).

The following devices are confirmed as compatible: Surface Go 2, Surface Pro 6, Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7+, Surface Laptop, Surface Laptop 3, Surface Book 2.

To play through your browser, open Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, go to Xbox.com/play, and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Do i need additional peripherals?

While there are many games now available for Xbox Cloud Gaming with touch controls, you will need to connect a compatible controller to play most games. Various controllers are available, such as wireless, wired and clip-on controllers directly to your cell phone, such as the Razer Kishi. When choosing a controller to use with Xbox Cloud Gaming, check the list on the Xbox website to make sure it’s compatible – Official and Designed for Xbox are optimized for Xbox Cloud Gaming, but verified controllers will also work.

Before connecting your wireless controller, make sure it is running the latest firmware update, then follow these instructions:

Android

Turn on your controller by clicking on the Xbox sphere then hold down Pair button for three seconds. Then head to applications on your Android device and head to Settings then Connections, click on Bluetooth and Light up.

When the box opens with a list of available connections, select Xbox Wireless Controller and it should then show Bound under the device in the list.

Apple

Open the Settings on your Apple device and select Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is alight. Then click on the Xbox sphere on your controller to turn it on, then hold the Pair button for three seconds. Your controller will then load into a list of available devices such as Xbox Wireless Controller and pair automatically.

Windows 10

Turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox sphere, then press and hold the Pair button for three seconds. Then go to Start on your Windows 10 device and open Settings to access the Devices and finally Bluetooth.

Make sure Bluetooth is alight then select Add Bluetooth or other device. Then click on the option to Add device then Bluetooth – if you are using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10, select Everything else here – and wait Xbox Wireless Controller to appear in the list of available devices. Once the controller has been recognized by your device, select it and you will see the message “Your controller is ready to go“when it is connected.