Microsoft on Tuesday revealed a launch date and other details about its new cloud-based gaming service.
Project xCloud will debut across 22 markets (including the U.S.) on Sept. 15 for Android, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription members to play more than 100 games on their phone or tablet. Microsoft did not say when xCloud will be coming to iOS devices; there could be a delay due to Apple’s App Store policies, as The Verge noted.
Bit disappointed we havent heard an update yet on xCloud for PC or iOS.
Android stuff is good, but only one piece of a much larger pie.
— Brad Sams (@bdsams) August 4, 2020
xCloud 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. The service was in public preview across North America, Europe, and South Korea earlier this year; the preview will end on Sept. 11.
Microsoft said last month that Project xCloud would be included in its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership program. The Ultimate package includes access to both console and PC games, in addition to an Xbox Live Gold membership, for $14.99/month. There are more than 10 million Xbox Game Pass members.
Some refer to xCloud as the “Netflix of games,” given that it lets users access a library of games via the cloud.
Microsoft said today it is partnering with Razer, PowerA, 8BitDo, and Nacon to sell new accessories built for xCloud such as phone clips and travel controllers. Gamers can also use the Xbox One Bluetooth Wireless and PlayStation DualShock 4 controllers.
Games available via xCloud include Halo 5: Guardians, Destiny 2, Grounded, Gears 5, Tell Me Why, Forza Horizon 4, and most of the titles in the Xbox Game Pass library, according to an FAQ page.
Microsoft is competing with companies including Google and Nvidia that are also investing in cloud-based gaming services.
“Cloud gaming removes the need to wait until you can access your console in order to play your favorite games: Just pick up your phone or tablet and play the games you want, any time you want,” xCloud chief Kareem Choudhry wrote in a blog post.
Microsoft is also gearing up to release its new console, the Xbox Series X, later this year.
