Microsoft is opening up beta registration for its xCloud game streaming service to 11 countries in Western Europe, but it is taking a “measured approach” due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- The xCloud preview initially opened up to gamers in the U.S., U.K., and South Korea late last year. The service lets users play high-powered Xbox games such as Halo on their smartphones. xCloud will be coming to Windows 10 as well as the Xbox platform.
- Microsoft said it is rolling out the preview in Europe but will do so carefully, “to help conserve internet access, beginning the preview in each market with a limited number of people and adding more participants over time,” wrote Catherine Gluckstein, GM and head of product for Project xCloud, in a blog post.
- Android users in Western Europe can sign up for the preview here.
- Microsoft is still planning to release its newest Xbox console, the Xbox Series X, this holiday season. The company is seeing increased Xbox Live usage amid the COVID-19 pandemic as more people stay home.
