xCloud and Game Pass Is Basically a Dream Team | Game Rant
The launch of the Xbox Series X/S has coincided with the rising focus on services and gaming for Xbox. The dream team combination of Xbox Game Pass and xCloud may be one of the better examples of this, and the one-two punch could be getting ready to hit its stride.
Microsoft is coming off of a hugely successful quarter financially in terms of revenue, and that is thanks in part to the Xbox Game Pass and the launch of the Xbox Series X|S. But what has barely gotten started is xCloud. The cloud-based service has released in beta waves over time and on various services, yet paired with Xbox Game Pass, it is a truly remarkable service. As the two continue to develop, they could prove to be a more remarkable duo.
Xbox Game Pass is a great value thanks to its continually growing library, which xCloud takes advantage of. Being able to play those games anywhere on the cloud is something that cannot be understated. Meanwhile, the idea of xCloud coming to more platforms in the future and out of beta is something that is very exciting to think about.
One of the thrilling aspects of Xbox Game Pass is that the library is ever-growing. All first-party titles come to the service on day one, but Microsoft is also continuing to snag new studios well. Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda meant that twenty new Xbox Game Pass titles would be added, for example--with more to come. Microsoft has purchased Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment, Ninja Theory, and the like all with this game plan in mind.
Even outside of wholesale studio purchases, Microsoft is continuing to strike deals with developers and publishers (that it does not own) for the rights to have games be on Xbox Game Pass, even on day one. Having MLB the Show 21 on Xbox Game Pass was a huge get, as the game had previously never been on an Xbox console. Suddenly, Game Pass subscribers get the game "for free" on launch day while PlayStation players have to purchase the game outright. This is the same with a game like Outriders. Microsoft is continuing to make these deals, showing that it is willing to buy studios and strike deals to get games on Xbox Game Pass.
There are hundreds of games on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and thanks to studio acquisitions, that list continues to grow. It is true that some games leave Xbox Game Pass from time to time as well, but that is not abnormal for subscription services. All in all, with new games being added regularly and many of them being big-name games behind surprising and exciting deals, interesting indies, or first-party titles; the quality and value of the service is hard to deny.
The magic of xCloud is the ability to play it anywhere. Currently, Android users are able to download via Google Play Store in a preview state. Along with playing Xbox games using an Xbox controller, Xbox Game Pass on Android even supports touch controls for a number of games. It does require high bandwidth, which means LTE internet or some nice Wi-FI, but the tech is impressive and the promise is delivered. Whether it be Sea of Thieves, Gears 5, or now Banjo-Kazooie using touch controls, players can stream right from the cloud.
When it comes to Apple devices, xCloud is available on iOS via a limited beta. It is very exciting that Microsoft was able to find a browser workaround for xCloud on iOS (as Apple shut down any application for Xbox Game Pass Streaming/xCloud on its platform). Meanwhile, PC is currently in a closed limited beta state as well. xCloud certainly has room for growth.
Fans should be pleased to learn that Head of Xbox Phil Spencer wants xCloud on more consoles and platforms. Currently, xCloud still feels rather restricted. Either the service still is not available on various platforms or it is in a beta-like state. In time, it will likely be opened up and available to all. If and when that happens, that is when that "dream-team" aspect will truly kick in.
The pie-in-the-sky hopes are for xCloud to come to devices outside of the Xbox ecosystem and to its competitors; like Nintendo. There have been rumors that Xbox and Nintendo struck a huge deal recently, and many wonder if xCloud and Xbox Game Pass will soon come to the Nintendo Switch. If this were to happen, it would be one of the more groundbreaking deals in recent gaming history. For many, playing xCloud via a mobile device is nice, but using a big screen is even more enticing.
Interestingly, xCloud is still not on Xbox consoles themselves. While Xbox Game Pass runs natively on home consoles via downloads, players are unable to stream off of their consoles via the cloud. Space is at a premium.it only makes sense for the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One to be able to stream xCloud, especially titles that would take up less bandwidth. Streaming functionality from consoles could be available in the future, as Phil Spencer has also said that there are plans for xCloud to come to Xbox consoles; if no other reasons than for demoing/testing before downloading a game.
Xbox Game Pass was an amazing idea when it first launched, but there weren't many games initially. Microsoft has worked hard at building up its first-party library through development, acquisitions, and more. Meanwhile, it also has struck deals to bring on more games to the service--and over time Xbox Game Pass now looks like one of the better deals in gaming.
Cloud gaming by itself is great in theory, but without games can simply be a good idea and nothing else. However, xCloud mixed with Xbox Game Pass is a fantastic combination. If xCloud can truly get up and running on all mobile devices (out of beta), come to Xbox consoles completely, and even eventually perhaps find its way on platforms outside of Xbox such as the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Game Pass and xCloud could prove to be the dream team duo that it truly is.
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