Microsoft is extending its cloud gaming capabilities, available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, to lower-tier gaming subscriptions. Xbox parent company announced Wednesday that it will add Xbox cloud gaming support to the Xbox Game Pass Core or Standard tiers. The feature is currently available to Game Pass Core and Standard members who sign up for the Xbox Insiders program. Eligible users can now start streaming cloud-playable games from their library or Game Pass catalog on supported devices.
Microsoft expands Xbox cloud gaming
The Xbox Cloud Gaming beta is available to regular users through Game Pass Ultimate, the highest level of subscription service. However, Xbox Insiders can now stream supported games through Game Pass Core and Standard subscriptions after signing into Xbox Cloud Gaming on a compatible device. Microsoft announced the cloud gaming update in an Xbox Wire post on Wednesday. The company launched the Xbox Game Pass Standard package in 2024. The console-only plan offers a game library, online console multiplayer support, but no day-one access to new games.
Microsoft is also expanding PC gaming options for Xbox Insiders on lower tiers of Game Pass. The company is testing access to PC versions of certain games for Xbox Insiders, allowing them to play PC games with a subscription. Xbox says the feature will give users greater flexibility to play PC games on a variety of platforms, including Windows-based gaming handhelds, consoles, or cloud-enabled devices.
These features are currently rolling out to Xbox Insiders and may become more widely available to Game Pass members in the future. The Xbox cloud gaming beta is yet to be launched in India.
Xbox has been expanding its cloud gaming library
Image source: Microsoft
Xbox cloud gaming
Microsoft has been expanding its cloud gaming capabilities with Game Pass. In April, the company launched the “Stream Your Own Games” feature to all Game Pass Ultimate members on Xbox Series S/X consoles. The feature, which allows players to stream select games they own in their library as well as Game Pass games playable in the cloud, was previously available on PCs, phones, tablets, handhelds and other devices.
The Game Streaming You Own feature launched last November, expanding the catalog of cloud-powered games to select games that Xbox players have purchased.
Xbox’s cloud gaming library is also growing, with more than 100 games available for streaming on supported devices with a Game Pass Ultimate membership. Xbox Insiders can now do this with the Game Pass Core and Standard tiers as well.
Microsoft’s commitment to expanding Xbox cloud gaming comes as the company prepares to launch its first Xbox-branded gaming handheld device. Made in partnership with ASUS and released in October, ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X offer a custom full-screen Xbox experience. In addition to local access to PC games, players can also stream cloud games from the Xbox console library on handheld devices.
