TL; DR
- Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available through the native Windows Xbox app.
- Players must be registered as an Xbox Insider.
- You must also have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Microsoft introduced its first native PC support for Xbox Cloud Gaming through an updated Xbox app for Windows. PC gamers were previously forced to connect using the Xbox website.
According to the Xbox Official Blog, the update is currently limited to members of the Xbox Insider Program in 22 supported countries such as the US and Canada. Insiders must sign in to the Xbox Insider Hub app specifically for Windows Gaming Preview, after which cloud games should appear on the Game Pass tab of the Xbox app. As before, cloud support is only available to those with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which in the US costs USD 14.99 per month after an introductory period of USD 1.
Gamers must also have a compatible Xbox controller plugged in, but some of the benefits of the native app include quick access to social features and connection status. It can also be used to stream games from an Xbox console on a local network.
Microsoft is often viewed as a pioneer in cloud gaming because of its pricing model and library. Ultimate subscribers can play anything in the Game Pass library at no additional cost, including classics like Alien: Isolation and newer titles like The Ascent. This compares to Google Stadia, which offers free access to some games, but even a $ 9.99 Pro subscription often requires people to pay extra for certain titles, which doesn’t work offline or without a subscription. Everything in Game Pass can be purchased and stored separately, although Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently limited to console titles, with the exception of things in the Game Pass for PC library.
