Microsoft has announced that its xCloud service, often known as Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Remote Play are now available to everyone on Windows 10 (or 11) via the Xbox app. These capabilities on PC were pushed out to Xbox Insiders as a beta last month, and they’ve been available on phones for a while, but it’s wonderful to see them on PC as well. It gives you a choice of how you want to play the game, whether it’s on your own console or on Microsoft’s servers.
Xbox Cloud Gaming has been available on Windows for a few months through online browsers, but it’s a wonderful step forward that the service is now available as a native app rather than being tied to a web browser on PC. A Bluetooth or USB controller, as well as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, are still required to use it. It has to be noted that, while Xbox Cloud Gaming is no longer just available to Insiders on Windows, Microsoft still considers the service to be in beta, so your results may vary.
Remote Play, which allows you to stream games from an Xbox Series S or X, or an Xbox One, to your Windows machine, is also a welcome feature. The capability is available on your home network or remotely over the internet, according to Microsoft, however, performance is likely to be higher if the game is running locally on the same network. Microsoft has also introduced several new capabilities to Remote Play, including the ability to broadcast games in 1080p 60fps and the ability to play some particular titles from the original Xbox and 360 consoles.
