170°

Game Pass And xCloud Are The Right Combo

When you stack up their relevant offerings, it’s safe to conclude that Xbox Game Pass and the upcoming Project xCloud integration is light years ahead of Google Stadia’s equivalent pitch. The business models couldn’t be more opposed; Stadia’s single purchases with an optional sub, versus Game Pass’ subscription and bundle exclusive streaming feature, are totally different takes that echo the divergent paths of the upcoming next gen console launches.

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thathitbox.com
crazyCoconuts1780d ago

Different path than Stadia but the same path as what PSNow has been taking for years. Except MS is actually following through with the mobile device plan while Sony gave up on it.

ApocalypseShadow1780d ago (Edited 1780d ago )

Or, Sony learned from experience that it wasn't the right time for it compared to being at home or stay in place during a pandemic. Adding it to TVs and Blu-ray players when casual tv buyers don't really play games. With gamers on one hand, perfectly fine in buying physical games while moving about normally. Compared to the higher risk of congregating while shopping and catching a virus.

Remote Play is cool and completely free without being in a service. But the majority of PlayStation gamers don't want to play GOW, TLofU, Spider-Man, Ghost, etc on a phone. Even with controller support.

And second, it will come down to mobile gamers accepting to pay for a subscription from Microsoft. When most of their games are already free(Fortnite) or with ads. Are mobile gamers who are used to free or cheap with ads willing to pay $15 a month? That's the real question. That's the uphill battle Microsoft will see. While AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Apple, etc offer their game services right next to it.

JTGA1780d ago

I reckon it will come down to the quality of experiences. Once mobile gamers get a taste of the kind of console quality indie and AAA games they'd have access to, the value for money proposition skyrockets. And with an ongoing Game Pass sub, parents would potentially be more likely to buy an Xbox for their kids, or themselves, if they've already had a go.

ApocalypseShadow1780d ago (Edited 1780d ago )

That what you think. Once they get a taste of what? Paying for a service? A delay in reaction time? The internet stream degrading the experience with others on the same internet?

Parents are happy that mobile games are free or cheap with ads. It saves them money. Including during a pandemic.

Hmmm... pay bills, buy food, buy gas, buy sanitizer. Or, pay Microsoft $15 dollars a month for a limited selection of games compared to *hundreds of thousands* that are free. Let me do the math. Hmmm..

And, game pass won't look that much better on a phone compared to the top 3d mobile games. You still didn't consider that these phone companies like Apple, offer game services or will too.

It's not a simple slam dunk. Xbox gamers thinking game pass is amazing. Everyone wants to pay a subscription to it monthly./S

crazyCoconuts1780d ago

I think you're right. Definitely not a slam dunk. Sony could have pulled the plug for any of those reasons. Will be interesting to see if MS fares any better.

ApocalypseShadow1780d ago

Truthfully crazy, I have no idea. Especially after this pandemic. Digital might become even bigger than before. Same with streaming. Same with people accepting robots(I've always liked robots like people) because they won't be passing around viruses like humans and pets. Things could go either way.

What Microsoft has to do, with which Sony learned with Vita, is that mobile and casual gamers aren't the same as core gamers and console. I like some mobile games. But they are like games you play in line at the bank for 10 minutes.(can't even do that now) or waiting for an appointment. But as a core gamer, I have no desire to play big games on small devices. If I'm at home, I'm going to play on the TV unless it's VR. My eyes strain just from playing SOR2 with a Genesis emulator. I got old eyes.

Microsoft would be asking casual, mobile gamers to spend $15 on a service where that money can be spent on micro transactions like guns and clothing and skins everyone talks about( I hate that junk) in their favorite free game. I just don't think they're that interested as everyone thinks. But I'm thinking as a core gamer.

And with free games like Call of Duty mobile, Modern Combat 5, Asphalt, etc looking good for cell phone games against Halo infinite streaming on mobile, it's an uphill battle. In my opinion. Or it may end up selling gang busters.

JTGA1779d ago

I do think you're right when you say it's pretty tough to make a call. COVID has thrown sales predictions way off kilter.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1779d ago
rainslacker1780d ago

One would assume if Sony took it off those platforms, it's because the cost to support it on those platforms outweighed what they were gaining from it.

Times may be different now, although i doubt they've changed that much. MS may fare better in those places because they do seem to have a much more aggressive marketing campaign for their service, but time will tell. It's easy to say how forward thinking MS is on this front now, as they are optimistic to make it a thing on those platforms, but when they haven't even released the service yet, it's hard to say if they'll see success there where Sony didn't.

ApocalypseShadow1780d ago

What's funny Rain is that gamers have forgotten the Xbox 720 roadmap. Microsoft had to delay implementation because of Sony dominating and a poor launch. But it's the same map just modified..
https://www.google.com/amp/...
Game Pass and Xcloud ideas are right on the list. Anywhere, anytime, any device? Don't have to upgrade your hardware like they talk about? Yup. Right on there. Interesting how the leak was dead on.

It's the last thing left for them to try. Kinect failed and was discontinued. Their TV ambitions failed and was discontinued. Hololens is too expensive for consumers to buy and didn't overshadow VR. Even though they tried. That's Fortaleza on the map. Only thing left is the streaming which might end up being successful. And that's Game Pass and Xcloud.

We'll see though soon enough if they can make the last one succeed.

Futureshark1779d ago

1. Get gamepass for 1$.
2. Sideload Xcloud to Android TV
3. Stream Halo Infinite at max Rez (4K if to beat Stadia specs) on my superfast broadband.
4. Use old Dualshock 4 to dabble in Halo Infinite for a bit.
5. No need to buy Xbox Series X, thanks for the options MS, here's that 1 dollar I promised you!

rainslacker1778d ago

Seems like a lot to go through just to play halo infinite.

I think the average person wouldn't do a lot of side loading either.

aconnellan1778d ago

I’m not sure why you’re acting like this is a ‘gotcha’ to MS - they’re literally making it so you can do that. This isn’t some shady workaround that you’re exploiting, that’s very explicitly what they want - and encourage - you to do

Ratchet751775d ago

I'm playing Halo Masterchief collection on my smartphone right now. Who would say no to that?

The_Hooligan1778d ago

Have they announced when the xCloud is coming to the PC and what the price point would be? Since PC players don't have to pay for online gaming, I wonder if GP + xCloud will cost the same on PC as the GP Ultimate since that includes Xbox live. I am interested in playing some Xbox first party games that are already on the GP and some that got announced recently, but only way I can is by streaming since I don't have an Xbox nor a gaming PC to download and run the game.

270°

After years of waiting, Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" feature is going live today.

Xbox Cloud Gaming victory: Finally, after years of waiting, you can now play (some of) your Xbox games on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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windowscentral.com
darthv72213d ago

Oh what timing... now that Portal is offering cloud streaming as well.

OtterX212d ago (Edited 212d ago )

Yea, it's incredible having titles available in handheld streaming format without having to have a console on. This is even better for traveling. I was messing around w it for the first time this morning and the quality was so good, I forgot at times that I was actually streaming. (1gbs) any minor imperfections aren't amplified like they would be on a big screen tv.

I guess XBox users can still do it if they have a Steam Deck, ROG etc, so nobody is left out. Streaming like this is best for handheld play IMO.

crazyCoconuts212d ago

I've tried streaming from various hotel chains while traveling. Hotel WiFi in general sucks and that makes streaming untenable

OtterX211d ago

@crazyCoconuts I guess it depends on your traveling style. I usually stay in privately owned hostels across our country who tend to invest more in good internet. I always check with them before I book.

OtterX210d ago

I just tested the Portal from our new home we're moving into, a 2 hour drive away and in the rural countryside where we have to run Starlink. No fibre available here, but getting 357 mbs, and I'm streaming my PS5 from our 1gbs at our old home. It's streaming perfectly, so not sure what you're going on about @crazycoconuts.

Neonridr211d ago

*for select titles, for premium members only..

Vits211d ago

What bothers me about this new Xbox offering is that you still need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to play. It’s not like Stadia, where you could buy the game and play it without needing a subscription, which was only for extra features. So, who is this really meant for?

To use the service, you’d need to buy the game and keep paying for Game Pass Ultimate. That’s asking a lot, especially since Xbox console owners, who are probably the main audience for this, would likely prefer to just download the game and play it directly on their consoles. There’s a small case to be made for Xbox owners who travel often, but how big could that group really be?

As for Sony, their approach to streaming is also strange. They limit how games can be streamed locally. For example, the mobile app allows screen controls but doesn’t support most physical controllers, only the DualSense and, for some games, the DS4. Their reasoning seems to be that these controllers are needed for the proper features—yet the app lets you play with screen controls, and there’s even a third-party app that works with any controller.

Then there’s the Portal, which is basically a DualSense with a screen and an internet connection. But it’s only now getting cloud streaming, even though there’s no technical reason it couldn’t have had this from the start.

Bathyj211d ago

I was going to ask is this not what Portal is doing?

Are you telling me after all these years of bathering about cloud streaming you couldn't play your own games? WTactualF?

darthv72211d ago (Edited 211d ago )

playing your own games via streaming required the console (ala remote play). Now you can stream games you own without the need for the console to be on.

the xcloud beta was only for gamepass ultimate games and now you can stream ones you own regardless if they are in GPU or not.

Knushwood Butt211d ago

Power of da cloud, just a few years late.

redrum06211d ago

Still, that's for the Playstation Plus Premium/Extra library. This is for streaming games you own, which would've been nice to have on PS as well.

Kyizen211d ago

Different. Portal is catching up to Xbox Cloud Streaming but Xbox is catching up to Portal remote play feature it had at launch

darthv72211d ago

XB has always been able to stream games you own from the console (ala remote play).
The xcloud side let you stream without the console but only games in game pass.
NOW it is letting you stream games you own through xcloud without them needing to be in game pass.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 210d ago
MaximusPrime_212d ago

Thanks goodness for PS Portal. I don't even own Xbox

Giodel212d ago

omg I AM SO SO SO SOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tired of this sites PS fanatism. This is an XBOX post for something XBOX does why do you have to go and mention portal? WHY tell me WHY?

VersusDMC212d ago

All the Fck horizon, Concord, PS5 pro articles and comments really make it a ps fanatic site...are you delusional?

Redgrave212d ago

Such is the nature of any gaming related website. It is inevitable. Unavoidable.

Some do it out of passion, some out of self amusement, and some just wish to sow pointless discourse.

Xbox posts will have Playstation comments and vice versa. Here, there, everywhere.

Nooderus212d ago

VersusDMC Yes i think most of the people that frequent this site have a positive sony bias.

Rockstar211d ago

Alright, calm down! It's just the Internet

redrum06211d ago

I know, N4G is known to be a PS centric fanboy site, it's ridiculous. Instead of constantly downplaying Xbox in whatever they do, maybe just be happy for the other. Competition is a good thing to have.

Michiel1989211d ago

@nooderus I honetly think there's nothing wrong with bias, but it really does seem that critical thinking goes out the window because of it, that part I just don't understand. Wouldn't people want the company/product or what have you to do the best they can instead of accepting everything they shovel towards you because you like them?

Gamingsince1981211d ago

Every site is playstation biased, because every one likes playstation and xbox is dead, what do you expect. That's like saying "this food site has a biased towards good food but everyone hates eating poo, it's so unfair to poo eaters"

cooperdnizzle211d ago

Well if you were on this site like 15 years ago you would know, that it was 99% Xbox fans and if you were Sony fans you had to fight tooth and nail to just say a game was good.

Second people like PS now days because it is by far the better platform.

Nacho_Z211d ago

Only seems that way ("PS fanatism") because Sony is currently on top. Naturally there will be more positive articles and comments about the front runner.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 211d ago
GotGame818212d ago (Edited 212d ago )

Sure, you can't leave the house with it, and play. Wii U did that YEARS ago right out of the box. You can cloud play, literally anywhere.

crazyCoconuts212d ago

Are you sure your Portal... Isn't an Xbox??

TheEroica211d ago

"thank goodness" 😂 what a shill.... The portal is a joke... One that only Sony could get away with on its soft brained fan base.

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neomahi211d ago

I really don't think Nintendo and PlayStation need to get caught up in this. Streaming isn't the future, yet and there's no rush to get into that market. If Nintendo is still selling a mass number of Nintendo Switch consoles, what does that tell you? It tells you Xbox is trying to stay relevant and bring everyone along with them, but, like PlayStation's own fans have been telling PlayStation "THATS NOT WHAT WE WANT" and PlayStation is learning the hard way they're not listening to their consumers like they were with the PS3 and PS5. But, this isn't what people want yet. Nintendos dabbling in it and PlayStation has been doing it since they acquired Gaikai, but it's never stuck. People that have been streaming movies and ditching it and collecting physical media again, it's slowly going back in that direction and they'll tell their gaming brethren not to fall for it. Theyre getting physical media and loading it on to their own servers to run on home servers within their walls THEY control, not the corporations that sell them a license, not a product they pay for and own. Imagine buying cloths or your house that can be repossessed whenever Nike, DC, Vans, or Reebok want to take back because it goes out of style when they say so.

Streaming may be the future but it's the distant future. Internet service providers can't even sustain that. Data caps still exist and internet isn't that fast as it's most affordable prices. You're attacking a REALLY niche market that's going to be received as well as the PS5 Pro. Xbox killed their brand with the Xbox One that wanted to integrate streaming into their games to further try and sell and incentivise Xbox Live and we saw that went. Streaming could very well cause the next gaming crash, is how I see it. The rest of the tech world isn't ready for that, especially during yet another trying economy

cooperdnizzle211d ago

Hey dude they can take your house back. It’s called property tax. Paying for something you already own.

But I agree, I have already had digital games taken from me. Sucks

jznrpg211d ago (Edited 211d ago )

More options are good but streaming as a whole has a lot of issues. I will always prefer dedicated hardware. I’m bring my PS with me when I travel. Internet is not good traveling

darthv72211d ago (Edited 211d ago )

A PS5 (even slim) does not make for a good travel companion. Meaning on the go, not in a closed environment like a hotel room, but on a plane or a train or an automobile... this is what works in all of those situations: https://images.purexbox.com...

Its nice an compact but obviously still bigger than a handheld. If you want that 'console' experience that is.

Rashers211d ago

That still requires power leads for both the console and screen.

127maXimus211d ago

Yeah but you would still have to buy them for Xbox.

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100°

With Owned Xbox Games Finally Playable via the Cloud - the Promise of Stadia Returns

After some false starts over the past 24 hours, playing your owned games on Xbox Cloud Gaming is live. The cloud console officially returns! Is it Stadia's promise finally fulfilled?

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clouddosage.com
anast213d ago

I told you all. Here is comes.

213d ago
Eonjay212d ago

Playstation was already doing this with Premium. A lot of the games I own are streamavle on PS5. I assume they will eventually add access to the Portal.

NotoriousWhiz212d ago

False. Only games Playstation allows you to stream are those available on PSN premium regardless of whether or not you own them.

What Microsoft is beginning to do is enable streaming of some titles even though they aren't part of game pass (as long as they are owned by the user)

Eonjay211d ago

It's not false. I bought Final Fantasy Rebirth on PSN and I can still stream it to my PS5 even though it's not part of Plus. Same with many many other titles. PlayStation has allowed this since they revamped their streaming service like a tear ago. This will eventually come to Portal streaming during the beta I am sure.

gold_drake213d ago

yeh, we all saw what happened to it.

peppeaccardo212d ago

Whoever decided that gaming streaming was actually a thing to charge customers for is a F-ing genius .... even playstation portal lags and is only few feet away !from the PS5! Simply Why ? ... Why ?

250°

Coming to Game Pass: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft & StarCraft II, and More

Happy spooky season to those who celebrate! We have a collection of scary games for you to enjoy with Game Pass, while hiding under the blankets (or maybe that’s just how I play). And if you want to do something slightly less scary, we have a whole list of games for you to start pre-installing including more day one additions like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and more! Let’s get to the games.

• South Park: The Fractured but Whole (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 16
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 25
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (Cloud) – October 25
Game Pass Ultimate
• Call of Duty: Warzone (Cloud) – October 25
Game Pass Ultimate
• Ashen (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 29
• Dead Island 2 (PC) – October 31
• StarCraft: Remastered (PC) – November 5
• StarCraft II: Campaign Collection (PC) – November 5

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news.xbox.com
249d ago
crazyCoconuts249d ago

Let the COD on GamePass experiment begin!
I would think their quarterly revenue will take a hit compared to a year ago, but will maybe make up for it throughout the year as the monthly GP subs keep coming in

pwnmaster3000249d ago

Was up with call of duty man?
I downloaded cod on gamepass and for some reason I cannot access the game.

darthv72249d ago

just curious what version? There are some that you can pre-load, but they wont work until their release date later this month.

pwnmaster3000249d ago

I have to redownload it again for the 3rd time to check.
I ended up just deleting it to make room for other games after the second time.

It was on Xbox game pass, I didn’t know there was other versions. I just downloaded everything, but sadly I couldn’t even access the game. Maybe 3rd time the charm. I’ll download it again.

SPEAKxTHExTRUTH249d ago

It’s not out yet man unless you’re talking about MW3.

pwnmaster3000249d ago

I’m talking about mw3. For some reason I could not get it to work.

just_looken249d ago

On xbox there is the last gen/current gen versions pc though you could also get a xbox version.

When that new forza first came out for one day they had the xbox version on the pc store i was like ? what it was odd.

On xbox you can easily download the one version of a game instead of the series version so you run into issues on your series console.

pwnmaster3000248d ago

Because a game won’t run after I download it??
Man your kids must hate your @ss if that’s how you think.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 248d ago
dveio249d ago

It's going to be very interesting to follow up on how the new entry of CoD will perform at the box office, player numbers and distribution of Xbox, PC and PS versions this year.

249d ago
DivineHand125249d ago

I got excited thinking they ported StarCraft to consoles but it's just the PC version. Also, I thought Starcraft 2 was already free to play.

TheColbertinator249d ago

I'm certain it is going to be the Campaign Collection version.

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