Xbox Cloud Gaming – a major rival to Google Stadia – arrives on iOS and PC as closed beta
Xbox Cloud Gaming. (Xbox)
Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to PC and iOS phones and tablets as a closed beta.
As part of the beta, which begins on 20 April, users invited to join will be able to access Xbox Game Pass games via the cloud on Windows 10 PCs and iOS devices.
The cloud service has been available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on Android devices since September last year.
It means subscribers can now access any of the hundreds of games available via Game Pass on their iOS device or PC via web browser – specifically Edge, Chrome or Safari.
Players will then need a compatible bluetooth or USB connected controller in order to play, with around 50 games available with custom touch screen controls as an alternative.
The launch of this service means many more subscribers will be able to access games on the go at no extra cost to their existing subscription.
The closed beta is for a limited time and by invite only to select members. Xbox plan to test the service during this time, fine-tuning features and ensuring the service is consistent across all platforms.
There are 22 countries supporting the service, with more invites sent out on a continuous basis.
The official launch will be “in the coming months”.
“Our mission at Xbox is to empower you to play the games you want with the people you want, anywhere you want,” said Catherine Gluckstein, Vice President & Head of Product, Project xCloud in an Xbox Wire post.
“Simply put, we believe games have the power to connect humanity and it’s our mission to make gaming more accessible to people around the world.”
Once fully launched, Xbox Cloud Gaming will be a major rival to Google’s Stadia platform, which also allows players to stream games to compatible devices via the cloud.
The key benefit of Xbox Cloud Gaming, though, is the access to Game Pass. The subscription service not only has instant access to hundreds of games, but brand new Xbox games are added from day one – offering unparalleled value for money to consumers.
For more information and a list of compatible devices, visit the Xbox Support Hub.
