Xbox Cloud Gaming, is it a game-changer? Yes. Is it for everyone? No. Today we’re looking at Xbox’s new Cloud gaming feature. This feature is aiming at revolutionalising the way people play games, especially for those who don’t own consoles or high-end gaming PCs. Here’s all you need to know.
What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Xbox Cloud Gaming, also known as xCloud, is a part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and that’s why I’ve already said it’s not for everyone. Anyways, It allows you to stream and play a selection of Xbox games on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Yep, smart TVs. This means you can enjoy console-quality gaming without needing the actual hardware. As long as you have a stable internet connection and a supported controller, you’re good to go.
Game Selection
While Xbox Cloud Gaming offers a smaller selection of games compared to the full Game Pass library, the titles available are top-notch at least for my taste. You get access to a variety of genres and popular games that keep the excitement alive. Plus, since it’s part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, existing subscribers get this feature at no additional cost. Which is clearly out of context since ‘existing subscribers’ are already console or PC gamers. However if you happen to have an Xbox Game Pass subscription for no reason, this makes it an excellent deal for you.
Bad joke right there 🙁
Play Anywhere, Anytime
One of the most significant advantages of Xbox Cloud Gaming is the flexibility it offers. Imagine playing console games on your phone while commuting or on your smart TV without needing an Xbox. And just to clarify, I didn’t say you can play games on your TV while commuting, don’t get me wrong there. So now if you’re wondering how these work, all you need is the Xbox Game Pass app if it’s available on your TV and your TV also needs to be able to connect to a controller, for example Samsung smart TVs that can connect to a controller and have the Game Pass app available are perfect for this. You just need a supported controller like Xbox, PlayStation, or Amazon Luna to get started.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accessibility: Play Xbox games on various devices without needing a console or gaming PC.
- Convenience: Stream games directly to your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
- Part of Game Pass Ultimate: If you already have the subscription, there’s no extra cost.
- High-Quality Games: Access to a curated selection of popular and high-quality games.
- Flexibility: Play anywhere with a stable internet connection and a compatible controller.
Cons:
- Limited Game Selection: Smaller library compared to the full Game Pass.
- Internet Dependency: Requires a strong and stable internet connection for smooth gameplay.
- Device Compatibility: Not all devices and smart TVs support the Game Pass app or controllers.
- Controller Requirement: Needs a compatible controller for the best experience. And even for those PC games, the keyboard and mouse probably won’t work.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass
Drifting away from our main topic, I mean we’re done here anyway. So there’s exciting news for Call of Duty fans! The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to be part of the Game Pass lineup. This means it might also come to cloud gaming, but it wouldn’t hurt to take note of the games size and system requirements so the chances are pretty slim. But just imagine the convenience of diving into intense multiplayer matches or gripping single-player campaigns without being tied to a console or gaming PC, and then keep on imagining.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, Xbox Cloud Gaming is a fantastic option for gamers who don’t have access to consoles or high-end PCs but are willing to pay for it monthly. It provides a flexible and convenient way to enjoy high-quality games on various devices. While the game selection is smaller, the available titles are impressive and offer great value.
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