It looks like Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels with Project xCloud – the streaming technology that allows Xbox Game Pass subscribers to play a selection of titles remotely.
First, Windows Central Heard from “trusted sources” that improvements to the Xbox Cloud streaming servers are showing solid results, increasing the resolution from 720p to 1080p. Here is a screen coverage sent with the developer overlay showing all the relevant stats.
Their quality can of course vary. Just as Netflix gets a little quieter when your internet connection suddenly slows down, xCloud can lower your resolution if that improves performance. This was what Windows Central found when they tried the same test and were trapped in a more disappointing 720p system because they were simply too far from a data center where the 1080p test was running.
The increase to 1080p brings Microsoft’s offering in line Google Stadia free tier – although this service faces its own very public teething problems the closure of its two first-party game studios and a A limited number of Triple A titles are currently in the program.
But Microsoft isn’t done there yet. The edge got my hands on an internal test of the Xbox Game Streaming app for Windows and noticed some interesting changes. The app doesn’t just offer support for home streaming of Xbox Series X. and S consoles, but it introduces xCloud streaming to Windows PCs.
scoop: Here’s a look at Microsoft’s unreleased xCloud app for Windows. This app allows you to stream Xbox games from an Xbox series X / S console or from xCloud. You can find detailed information here: https://t.co/ymyjQDmaeH pic.twitter.com/V3U3PXe7LOFebruary 27, 2021
The Xbox Series S. Support for X and X works the same as it does for Xbox One: you can remotely activate the console, sign in, and then play games on your Windows desktop, laptop or tablet.
Interestingly, Microsoft seems to be addressing the specific issues with the latter, and it now offers touchscreen support that lets you play games without a controller. Not only that, there’s supposedly an option to enable gyro controls as well – though it’s an option that doesn’t seem to do anything when activated right now. It is clear, however, that the company is looking for ways to ensure tablet gamers don’t have to support their device while gaming.
Not to totally outperform that PS5 has a version of it called Remote Play which allows you to stream from PS5 or PS4 to Android, iOS, Windows or MacOS over a WiFi or LAN connection (you can even Stream from PS5 to PS4 if you want to waste electricity). PlayStation Now also lets you stream a selection of PS2, PS3 and PS4 games for $ 9.99 per monthHowever, at the time of writing, phones or tablets are not supported.
