Microsoft: Project xCloud to join Game Pass

Microsoft confirmed that Project xCloud Xbox game streaming is coming to Xbox Game Pass, allowing Xbox Game Pass users to stream the library to any device.

[Spurg]

I'm expecting the 10 million gamepass users to almost double because of the cloud streaming. I've been playing game on Xcloud for a while now and although there are some noticeable latency issues it every much fun to play. Halo 5 from start to finish was fun was running smoothly although I would have loved to play it on a tablet.
I would recommend games that don't require twitch reflects and this is why Turn-based RPG will do wonders on the system. Games like Disco Elysium, Dragon age, Gears Tactics and many more rpg will work brilliantly on cloud
I can imagine a market for JRPG on Xcloud to intice Japanese gamers.

[darthv72]

I really enjoyed my time in the beta playing gears 5. I loved how my save went from the cloud streaming on my phone to my X at home and vice versa.

[umair_s51]

Cool, from the sound of it will be a paid upgrade

[VenomUK]

This means people will be able to play the latest Xbox Series X games without even owning a console - all you will need is a subscription to Xbox Game Pass to play the latest Halo, Fable, Gears, Forza, Obsidian RPG etc. [mindblown.gif]

Just think about what that means.

[DerfDerf]

@umair_s51

Project X cloud itself is free. So if you own a digital copy of a game you can play it on the go without paying anymore money.. However Xcloud will also allow users who have Gamepass to play the select games in the library they do not own.

[umair_s51]

It is currently free cause it still in preview

[RazzerRedux]

@umair_s51

Correct. The fact that they will be providing a "streaming option for Game Pass" suggests that it will in fact cost an additional fee.

[Kumakai]

yup but word to the wise. don't give ms any credit or predict any future successes for them here on N4G, even if they are obvious in plain sight. This here is Sony country and they'll let you know how wrong you are even tho there are facts and trends. They're still convinced Gamepass is robbing developers and will reduce xbox to a smoldering pile... even tho most devs say the added visibility has actually improved their outlooks.

[FlavorLav01]

So, future mobile games will play well on this. Big Online Multiplayer games or Soulsborne games where reaction speed is essential to gameplay - will be a no go for serious players, or those with less than perfect internet. Unless you don’t mind dying more than normal. Playable sure, enjoyable - depends on your standards I suppose. I like locked frame rates without a bunch of pop-in or screen tear if I’m playing with others or playing really tough action games. I’ve streamed enough games to know they’re NOT comparable to their native resolution counterparts and likely won’t be for some time. Guess I have champagne taste🤷🏼‍♂️

[KillBill]

When you get the chance to try the beta then you might see your streaming service of the past is not the same as xCloud.

Also, the options coming to Game Pass will include direct streaming of games from your Xbox to any device in your house connected to your router. So if your family is using the TV you can simply stream the game to your Android device for a little fun.With even less lag than inherent from streaming over internet.

[jukins]

Oh like remote play?

[KillBill]

Spencer has already pointed out Game Pass service has doubled year over year. So adding even more benefits to it can't likely reduce the trending market of it.

[Zeref]

I have terrible internet and even though there are some occasional hiccups. A lot of times it's smooth enough that I forget that i'm actually playing from xCloud.

I really hope it comes to the Switch soon!

[BlackIceJoe]

This should easily help increase the Game Pass subscriber numbers.

[Fishy Fingers]

"we'll offer a streaming option for Xbox Game Pass members."

Doesnt sound like it will be coming for "free" to GP members, or at least not in its entirety. But if it's a small additional fee, I might just be tempted. I was impressed by the preview.

[caddytrek]

Update April 30, 2020:
Further to Microsoft's reiteration of Project xCloud joining Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft noted that they'll have "more to share" on pricing options in the future.

"We confirmed that when Project xCloud goes beyond preview, we'll offer a streaming option for Xbox Game Pass members. We'll have more to share at a later date."

It's clearly going to be an aditional fee.

That just makes PSNow which offers 4x as many games and streaming for as low as $5 a month even more reasonable. Especially when you consider you don't even need PS+ to play games online.

Versus gamepass when you get less games you have to pay to play online and now you'll have to pay to stream them too.

The benefit of getting Microsoft games day one is great, but the reality is PSNow has the better value. Microsoft is stacking subscrptions on top of subscriptions on top of subscriptions.

[Fishy Fingers]

I mean each to their own, but I play on PC (i dont need xbox live to play online) and here in the UK PSnow is capped at 720p for £8.99 a month.

You call it better value, I call it a ****ing joke. Different opinions I guess.

I'm happy to play the PS exclusives I want on the PS.

[ApocalypseShadow]

He's talking about consoles. Online has been free on PC since forever.

You still didn't make him wrong about the differences in value. Now costs less, has more games, has streaming and doesn't require Plus to play online. And remote play is free.

Sounds like your defense was a joke.

[timotim]

"It's clearly going to be an aditional fee."

Not necessarily. It could also be apart of the Game Pass Ultimate tier at no additional charge. That would actually be the smart way to do it. For those that dont care for streaming, theirs base XGP, for those that want the to do everything, there's Ultimate. Sounds simple to me.

[Fishy Fingers]

Apocalypse, where did I try and make him wrong?? Even suggest he was?

I clearly said we have different opinions and thats ok, we each have different situations (im primarily PC as an example) and we each see value in different platforms that suit our indiviual needs.

"your defense was a joke" Dude, im not a kid, dont try and fanboy the conversation. That s*** just undoes any reasonable conversation/arguement you pose.

[--bienio--]

With crap quality on PSNow. No thanks.

[KillBill]

PS Now has a 1/100 user base ratio. Only about 1 million users buying into it. How are you even comparing it to Game Pass with a 1/5 user base ratio and currently at 10 million... with far less time in the market even.

Only way Sony makes PS Now as popular as Game Pass is to stop with their ridiculous short periods of availability of AAA games on the service (often just a week or two at best) before being taken off. And they need to include first party franchises day one like MS (and permanent). Otherwise they will NEVER come close to the numbers Microsoft is seeing with their service.

[KillBill]

Notice that Phil Spencer never said anything about price in his statement. The 'on pricing options in the future' part was added by the site and not anything Phil Spencer spoke on with Game Pass. We already know a non-Game Pass stand alone option will be available at a price to come later. But at no point has Spencer ever announced an added payment for Game Pass. Only people suggesting it are PS Fanboys and little more. And Phil has already came out and said their Game Pass service will NOT see a price change countering the ideas that Game Pass is simply suckering people in to increase price at a later date. https://www.vgchartz.com/ar...

[lazyboyblue]

Yup sounds like a fee is involved. It's a good quality service but I don't think I'd use it much. Hopefully it's thrown in with ultimate though cos I already have that.

[PitbullMonster]

@Fishy Fingers

But Xcloud is also capped at 720p.

[Spurg]

It's in a beta stage and not released yet. Expect the final version to have 1080p support

[battlegrog]

Because its xbox 1 . They stated series x hardware will be added to the servers. So the quality will be much improved in every way.

[TheHateTheyGive]

I love game pass, game pass brought me back to my home XBOX.

[Veneno]

You live inside of an Xbox ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??????

[timotim]

Wow, I was just talking about this with another member. I remember a lot of people here saying that xCloud and XGP would be separate when I told them that Microsoft was going to bring it into the Game Pass fold. This further solidifies XGP as a premier service that holds tons of value. Options are the real disruptor going forward, and Microsoft is offering more options for gamers and there libraries than anyone else.

[crazyCoconuts]

Yes, someday in the future it will do what PSNow does today

[timotim]

Correct. Except with way more support.

While its true that PS Now already does streaming and local play, it only does local play if youre on a PS4...no local play on PC. And while you can stream on both a PC and PS4, no streaming on mobile...something xCloud is already doing in beta right now. Then there's the topic of #DayOnes and newer games...Streets of Rage 4 just launched today...its on XGP right now and Im playing as we speak. Halo Infinite will be avalible on XGP #DayOne...at current, Sony is taking years to put there games on PS Now. So while they both are doing the same...Xbox is doing it to a greater degree.

[jukins]

You can stream on mobile. . . Including psnow. Remote play. Its not perfect but it works. Sony taking years is an exaggeration. but Sony is also in a better position. Like it or not Microsoft has to go to greater extremes to appeal to customers. It's obviously not sustainable gamepass subscribers have doubled but revenue has dropped for xbox last quarter? I've seen gamepass so many times on sale for $1 $2 for a month that's not sustainable.

[timotim]

@Jukins

In order to use Remote Play, you must own a PS4. Thats a feature of the console itself, not streaming directly to a mobile device. With xCloud, no console is needed...only the mobile device. In terms of its sustainability...

“I know some people — I’ve seen it — some people say, ‘Oh, they’re just kind of burning money left and right in order to gain customers so they can trick you into raising the price later,'” he said. “There’s no model like that, for us. We feel good in the business that we’re running now. We’re definitely investing in it, but not investing in a way that’s unsustainable. We’ll do promotional deals and stuff — any service will, but it’s a business and it’s a business that does well.”
https://gamingbolt.com/phil...

[crazyCoconuts]

I'm speculating but I think Sony never went live with PSNow on mobile because they didn't think it was good enough for people to want it. It was certainly part of their published strategy at one point, and then they just stopped. Even pulled back on some supported TVs and Vita. I think they could fairly easily release clients on different devices but at the time didn't think it was worth it. Maybe that will change now, maybe not

[Kumakai]

i kinda assumed this was going to happen but... thats pretty freaking great. The whole basis of the Stadia platform will be one of many available features for the xbox platform with a superior pricing component. Remember w/ Stadia you have to pay for games AND a subscription. w/ Gamepass you only pay the subscription price. If there is a game you decide to own, Gamepass lets you buy it at a steep discount compared to MSRP (usually $15-20 cheaper than retail)

[Outlawzz]

That's cool and all but they have to fix latency issues. Ive played on stadia with the free trial and the connection is much more stable. When I play on Xcloud it's hit or miss sometimes. If only stadia had the great library Xcloud has lol hopefully with the official release they can improve stability.

[spicelicka]

wtfff that's amazing!

[timotim]

Yeah it is! Microsoft is making some very smart moves and Im loving it. Smart Delivery will play an even greater role now...trying to install Halo Infinite on a SX, they give you the highest setting. Trying to install on 1S, they give you the lower setting. Trying to install on a phone, they stream it instead...all under XGP...brilliant.

[jukins]

Installing the correct version for the correct console is brilliant? I mean smart delivery is a good feature but brilliant? Just because it's new on console doesn't make it brilliant lol. It's like saying install on rx580 get a lower quality version install on a 2080ti get the best version. Trying to play on phone stream it brilliant!!!!!

[BillyG0AT]

SWITCH SUPPORT PLS LOL

[Sophisticated_Chap]

All cylinders are firing Captain! We can't give it anymore juice or it's going to blow!

[SprigganN4G]

If they unite xCloud with GamePass for $10 a month, its done. 99% of the streaming market goes to Microsoft.

[Kavorklestein]

Agreed. If they pull this off, I see the future being WAY better for MS than most folks on this site would have us believe. Xcloud is already the best as far as latency, seems like soon it will be the best value as well.

[ufo8mycat]

Microsoft making all the right moves recently. - The existance of Gamepass, now this. If they can just get their exclusives in order and start creating some Sony level games, next gen is going to actually be exciting, instead of it being a 1 horse race like it was this gen.

[Gaming4Life1981]

I was hoping that this would happen, excellent news.

[KillBill]

This was confirmed a long time ago.

[RazzerRedux]

Now they are clarifying it will be an "option". Options like that typically involve a separate fee.

[KillBill]

Heads up. It is FREE with Game Pass Ultimate. No added fee will be required. Spencer has already committed that Game Pass pricing will not change in the near future.

[Veneno]

So it's not actually a part of gamepass.

[RazzerRedux]

@Veneno

Apparently not. We won't know for sure until MS announces the details.

[RazzerRedux]

"Heads up. It is FREE with Game Pass Ultimate. "

Source?

[Bleucrunch]

Because of the latency issues, I will only use xcloud for single player RPG or action adventure games. I have good bandwidth, but not everyone else. I still have issues with gamers who game on wifi but that is another conversation for another day.

[KillBill]

Note, the latency is not comparable to other services of the kind as reported by Beta users. Also, included is a free option to stream from your Xbox to any device that the Xbox is connected to via the router in your home. This will be even less lag than that of any internet xCloud service.

[Bleucrunch]

you must admit why do all of that if you are already at home. Just play the game on your Xbox. When the internet here in the states transitions to a fiber foundation and move away from copper, then we will see better latencies and internet connections. Too much of the U.S. still have bad internet and that is just unacceptable.

[ifinitygamer]

This will make it so great for buying a game, and while waiting for it to download, you can just play it via xCloud. Once the full game downloads, your save file resumes on the local copy.

[rlow1]

Like the way you think.

[rlow1]

Value of this service keeps going up.

[Veneno]

Xcloud is an "option". Implying an extra fee, therefore it's not actually a part of gamepass.

[battlegrog]

Once again people never reading the wide range of information. Instead hear one thing.

Xcloud is going to duplicate the same options you get with owning a console. You pay for live on a console so xcloud yiu will pay for xcloud through live. You will pay for individual games as you want to buy them. You will be able to also use Game Pass. It will be the same experience but through streaming. The beta concept has nothing to do with how it will function. It has a handful of collection of games for us to beta test in that's as simple as that. The final xcloud wool have every option of game that is the same as buying a console

[MetroidFREAK21]

I really want to try this, but I cannot find a controller mount to save my life

[Donnie81]

Yeah xcloud is the future. I was an alpha tester and it gets better. I have been testing higher resolutions and FPS . Xcloud will be the it streaming service

[JayRyu]

Have to upgrade my phone to a 6.8 inch screen now! This is gonna be goood!