Microsoft uses its own Cloud-based gaming service, the xCloud. It is now being powered by customised XboxSeriesX hardware, resulting in faster loading times and increased performance. Contextually brilliant in some ways, but with so many modern loading screens having lore snippets and gameplay tutorial information, this blessing can be a curse in disguise depending who you ask.

Initially, the xCloud’s improvements to loading and gameplay performance were only accessible to a handful of games like Yakuza LAD (Like a Dragon), DIRT 5 and Rainbow Six Seige. Now, those upgrades have been spread to the whole xCloud library.

Gaming/tech outlet and news organization The Verge has had a statement shared to them from Microsoft, claiming ‘it recently completed the upgrade, which improves both frame rates and game load times for players streaming Xbox games over the web’. Players can stream over 100 Xbox games on various devices through the xCloud, such as laptop, phone or tablet, rather than having to install and take up space on a single device. All you need is an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership and boom, you’re good to go… Provided you also have a compatible controller and high-speed internet, of course.

xCloud is also reported to be developing The Steam Deck with Valve, you can have a looksie at my controller review of that chestnut here. We also have articles on The Steam Deck’s games, anti-cheat software and more here, here and here. Xbox boss Phil Spencer (no relations to Frank or Richard) has also stated this year that the xCloud works well on Valve’s Steam Deck, the Handheld PC console. If you’re looking for a more immediate handheld experience, we’re also selling android-compatible controllers such as The Razer Mobile Gaming Controller, various Nintendo Switch bundles and more.

On the topic of Spencers being the barer of good news (except The Spencer That Shall Not Be Named), I highly recommend Some Mother’s Do Ave Em. Besides just being a funny gay ol time, Michael Crawford does his own stunts and there’s a lot of crazy fun in there, basically a whole show built around the British Jackie Chan. One of my favorites is in the episode about The Psychiatrist involving a bowling alley and peculiar choice of words that always made 12-year-old me burst into violent fits of smug giggling!

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The post Microsoft xCloud: A Review of Mechanics first appeared on Get2Gaming.

Windows users are about to have an entire gaming world at the touch of their fingertips thanks to this new update for the Xbox app

The day Xbox fanatics and Windows users have all been waiting for has arrived. Microsoft has now officially announced that its xCloud streaming service is now readily available to anyone that has the Xbox app on Windows 10 (or luckily has the new Windows 11).

It was previously released as a beta version last month and has also been available on mobile phones for a while, but Microsoft is now expanding the streaming device to everyone.

xCloud and Xbox Remote Play

The Xbox Cloud feature allows players to access over 100 games without needing to download them and are able to jump into multiplayer sessions with their friends without games being physically installed onto their Windows devices or buying an Xbox console. This includes a whole range of games from the Xbox library, from the latest releases on Xbox Series X/S consoles, to even some selected games from Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles too.

Microsoft recently announced it will be expanding the streaming service to their consoles as well, giving the chance for Xbox One users to play Xbox Series X/S exclusive games without needing to upgrade their console, if, for whatever reason, they do not want to.

The update on the Xbox app still requires the user to have either a Bluetooth or USB controller, along with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, yet it will still be ultimately cheaper than forking out for an Xbox console overall.

Windows users can expect the highest quality experience as Microsoft confirmed the devices will be able to stream games at 1080p and 60fps, as Insiders could in the beta version, however, the company is still labelling the service as a beta version, so problems may still vary.

There is also an Xbox Remote Play feature in which players will be able to stream games from an Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One console to your Windows device, either on your home network or remotely over the internet.

There are also rumours Xbox might be expanding even more with a streaming device, although that has yet to be confirmed.

For now, Windows users can enjoy playing Xbox games, whether it’s their first time or their 100th time.

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The post Xbox: xCloud and Xbox Remote Play Now Available on Windows first appeared on Get2Gaming.

Microsoft has been busy expanding the Xbox gaming experience with things like Xbox Cloud Gaming, but can we expect even more?

Microsoft recently announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is available on mobile and PC devices, would be expanding to its consoles, making it easier for Xbox One users to access Xbox Series X/S games, but why stop there? What if you didn’t need an Xbox console at all to be able to access those games?

There are rumours there might be a streaming device coming from the gaming giants that could make Xbox games accessible to all.

Possibilities of an Xbox Streaming Device

Streaming devices are all the rage now, with Google’s Chromecast, Amazon’s Firestick and Roku’s Streaming Stick, all of which compete against one another to offer the best deals for the cheaper prices. Now there might be a new contender to entire the market if all the rumours are true.

Microsoft hinted at E3 2021 its intentions to move beyond its traditional console hardware platforms for its cloud gaming services, and the company also said in a press release that Xbox is currently working with global TV manufacturers to “embed the Xbox experience directly into internet-connected televisions with no extra hardware required except for a controller”.

So, this leads to the possibility of a built-in Xbox app coming our way at least.

Moreover, Liz Hamren, CVP of gaming experiences and platforms at Xbox, has revealed Xbox is also developing standalone streaming devices that you can plug into your TV or monitor.

This would be revolutionary for gamers that cannot afford or be able to purchase all the latest games or next-gen consoles and still have access to them via a much cheaper alternative. It might also rope in new gamers that have never wanted to splash their money on a console before, or don’t have the room for a console in their home. All you would need is a streaming device and an Xbox controller.

“We’re doing all this because Game Pass works. It works for consumers, and it works for publishers. With Game Pass, players spend 20% more time playing games. They play 30% more genres, and play 40% more games overall, including games outside their Game Pass subscription. In a recent survey, we found that more than 90% of members said they played a game they would not have otherwise played without Game Pass.”

It might take some time for people to buy into the streaming device as there’s already so much to choose from and gamers are only just started to buy into cloud gaming technology, but there is huge potential for it too.

What are your thoughts on a possible Xbox streaming device?

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The post Xbox: Could There Be a Streaming Device Along the Way? first appeared on Get2Gaming.