Xbox Cloud Gaming: everything you need to know
Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you take Xbox Game Pass anywhere
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Xbox Cloud Gaming is a fantastic additional feature to come at no extra cost for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, allowing you to enjoy a load ofXbox Game Pass-featured titles on the go, whether that’s on your console, smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Previously known as Project xCloud, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming only has a few barriers to entry to overcome. You must subscribe to theXbox Game Pass Ultimatetier, have a strong internet connection, and have a supported device to play the games on. If you meet all these criteria, then you can start gaming without the need for anXbox Series XorXbox Series Sconsole, or even anXbox Wireless Controller.
If you’re interested in the benefits Xbox Cloud Gaming can offer you; then, we’ve prepared a guide breaking down everything you need to know about the cloud-based service. We’ll also explain why it’s a feature you definitely shouldn’t sleep on, especially as it can be accessed through your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription on thenewest Xbox consolesat no additional cost.
And there are more than a few reasons why you definitely should give Xbox Cloud Gaming a try, as it can be a worthwhile alternative to simply downloading games to your console or buying one of thebest gaming PCs. For one, save data seamlessly carries between platforms, meaning that when you start playing via the cloud, you’ll be able to pick up exactly where you left off.
Handing your console off to someone else? If your game is supported by Xbox Cloud Gaming, it’s immediately accessible, allowing you to resume it on another device without losing any progress.
Read on, then, to find out everything you need to know about Xbox Cloud Gaming, its requirements, and the benefits and features it can provide in comparison to a more traditional console experience.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: cut to the chase
Xbox Cloud Gaming: what you’ll need
As mentioned above, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming first requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. At $14.99 / £10.99 a month, it’s a bit pricier than the base subscription tier, but the extra cost does benefit you by granting access to Xbox Cloud Gaming as well as thePC Game Passservice.
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You’ll also need a device that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming. These include both Android and iOS smartphones like theSamsung Galaxy S22oriPhone 13. But Xbox Cloud Gaming will also work on tablets like theiPad,iPad Pro 12.9, andMicrosoft’s ownSurface Godevices. For smartphones and tablets, you’ll also need the Xbox Game Pass app, letting you access and stream supported games with a few taps.
A brief list of supported devices can be found onXbox’s website.But in general, if you have any modern laptop, or a smartphone or tablet running either iOS or Android, you should be able to play games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Cloud Gaming titles can also be played or PC, via the desktop app or your favorite internet browser, includingGoogle Chrome,Microsoft Edge, andFirefox.
During theMeta Connect 2022event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg to confirm that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming toMeta Quest 2andMeta Quest Pro. Unfortunately, these games remain a flatscreen experience, you can’t suddenly jump into a VR mode forForza Horizon 5. As such, the platform’s slowly expanding to new horizons and you can hook up your Xbox controller. It also meansMeta Quest may beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Don’t have a supported portable device? Fear not as you can also play games from the cloud right from your Xbox Series X|S console, too. Although in this case, we’d suggest just downloading your desired games instead as you’ll be able to play beyond the limitations of Xbox Cloud Gaming, such as its inability to stream at4Kresolution.
Touch controls are supported on devices with touch screens, but you can also make use of controllers connected via USB or wirelessly over Bluetooth, including the Xbox Wireless Controller,Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controllerand evenSony’sDualshock 4.
Microsoft also recommends a high-speed internet connection for optimal play when using Xbox Cloud Gaming. You’ll need down speeds of at least 20 Mbps and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for an entry-level cloud gaming experience. Of course, faster speeds will provide a more solid connection to your streamed game, which will lower latency and diminish oddities like screen tearing and the occasional blank screen.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: stream quality and performance
Streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming means you get to play supported games instantly on your chosen device, with no need to download the game to your device’s storage. That instant delivery doesn’t come without its costs, of course.
To keep a consistent performance, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams at a 1080p resolution up to 60fps. That means you won’t be able to stream games at a higher 1440p or 4K resolution, but 1080p is more than serviceable on the smaller screens you’ll likely be making use of for Xbox Cloud Gaming. While a 1080p cap makes Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming more manageable for your bandwidth, you’ll still want a speedy connection for a consistent experience.
Thankfully, should you meet the criteria for a smooth streaming experience, you’ll find that games played via Xbox Cloud Gaming offer sharper visuals and far better load times than the same games played on last generation’s Xbox One. Load times, especially, are comparable to the remarkably quick Xbox Series X|S SSDs.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: what can I play?
You’ll be able to play a huge variety of games featured in the Xbox Game Pass library with Xbox Cloud Gaming. Not every game on the service can be streamed, but by using the app, you’ll be able to access a dedicated “Cloud” subsection that’ll list all the games you can play via the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
The range of titles available to play via Xbox Cloud Gaming is also pretty vast. From big-budget first-party titles like Forza Horizon 5, Gears Tactics, andHalo Infiniteall the way down to some of the best indies around, likeHollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and The Outer Wilds.
You’ll also get to stream some of the best third-party games available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, including Dragon Quest 11,Mass Effect Legendary Edition, and Mortal Kombat 11. There’s plenty to play on Xbox Cloud Gaming and you can find the full list of gameshere. You can even play them straight from your browser, provided you have a supported controller connected to the device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: final thoughts
Xbox Cloud Gaming provides a very solid alternative to downloading games to storage. It’s among the best game streaming platforms available today, especially when stacked up against competing services likeNvidia GeForce Now, and (the soon to be defunct)Google Stadia.
You won’t be streaming games at 4K anytime soon, but what Xbox Cloud Gaming loses in image quality, it more than makes up for in connection stability, quick load times and a wide range of supported devices and controller setups. Another upside is that you don’t need to own the verybest Xboxto fully enjoy cloud gaming. That means that even theXbox Series S' specscan enjoy a cloud gaming experience equal to that of the Xbox Series X.
There are some notable barriers to entry, of course, like having to subscribe to the relatively expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as well as having a fairly speedy internet connection, but if you meet the criteria, then Xbox Cloud Gaming could be your passage to experiencing the very best Xbox Game Pass games whether you’re at home or out and about.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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