Analysis: Cloud gaming on Xbox illustrates Microsoft’s console strategy versus Sony
Microsoft revealed on Tuesday morning that the long-expected debut of its cloud gaming service on the Xbox family of consoles is set for this holiday season, following earlier releases of Xbox Cloud Gaming on PCs and mobile devices.
Console owners who subscribe to the Ultimate version of the Game Pass service will be able to play compatible games from that service almost immediately via Microsoft’s cloud servers. The feature will be assigned its own tab on the Xbox Game Pass’ console UI, indicating which games on the service are compatible with cloud play.
This lets you try out games with one button press, rather than having to wait for what can be a lengthy local installation, as well as play a game via the cloud while you’re waiting for it to install locally.
Xbox One users can also go through the cloud to play games, such as the most recent Microsoft Flight Simulator, that are otherwise locked to the Series X|S hardware. The processing power on your local Xbox doesn’t matter much when all it’s doing is transmitting your inputs back and forth between a remote Microsoft cloud server, so in theory, you can use the cloud to give your Xbox One a sort of virtual upgrade.
