Xbox Cloud Gaming is now more accessible to a wider audience as Microsoft has expanded its availability beyond the premium Ultimate tier. The cloud streaming feature is now open to subscribers of the more affordable Game Pass Core and Standard plans, lowering the barrier to entry for players wanting to try game streaming.
Previously, this feature was a key selling point for the top-tier Ultimate subscription. Now, Core and Standard members can stream games from two categories: titles that are included in their current subscription library and select cloud-enabled games that they already own outright. This move significantly broadens the potential user base for Microsoft’s cloud gaming platform.
It is important to note that Xbox Cloud Gaming is still officially in a beta phase. To access it, players on the Core and Standard tiers will need to enroll for free in the Xbox Insider program. This allows Microsoft to gather feedback and continue refining the service with a larger pool of testers.
The primary advantage of cloud gaming is its extensive device compatibility. The service is not locked to Xbox consoles or high-end gaming PCs. It can be accessed on a vast array of hardware, including smartphones, smart TVs, and Amazon Fire TV sticks. It is also available on Meta Quest virtual reality headsets. Essentially, any device with a capable web browser can become a portal to the Xbox library through cloud streaming.
This strategic shift is a clear indicator of Microsoft’s evolving philosophy in the gaming sector. The company appears to be moving away from a hardware-centric approach focused solely on competing with Sony in the console space. Instead, the new strategy prioritizes the widespread distribution of its Game Pass subscription service across as many devices as possible. Cloud gaming is viewed as a critical component for achieving this goal of device-agnostic gaming.
Microsoft has been steadily building towards this moment. Over the past year, the company has rolled out several features to enhance its cloud ecosystem. This included launching the ability for users to stream games they already own from their personal console library. More recently, this feature was expanded to include PC games from a user’s collection. The company also implemented a system where a user’s recently played games will follow them across different devices, making for a seamless transition from one screen to another.
Looking beyond cloud updates, Microsoft is also exploring the burgeoning handheld gaming market through a partnership with hardware manufacturer ASUS. Two co-branded devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and the Ally X, are scheduled for release on October 16th. While their announcement generated significant excitement, the final pricing for these handhelds remains a mystery for now.
By making cloud gaming a standard feature on its lower-priced subscription tiers, Microsoft is betting big on an accessible, streaming-first future for its gaming division, aiming to bring the Xbox experience to players wherever they are.
