Microsoft continues to improve its ecosystem and very soon Xbox owners will be able to enjoy a new feature that many have been waiting for for a long time. The company is launching an important advance in its service Xbox CloudGaming which will allow players to stream not only Game Pass games, but also those from their own personal Xbox library. This feature has been delayed several times, but all signs point to it finally being available to Xbox Insiders starting in November.
Play Xbox without having an Xbox
So far, the service of Xbox CloudGaming was limited to the games included in the subscription Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, where players could access hundreds of titles from the cloud. However, Microsoft is about to take things a step further by allowing the option to stream any title that a player owns. This includes both digitally purchased games and those in physical possession, as long as they are linked to the player’s account.
This new functionality has been dubbed Project Lapland, and will be part of an expansion towards a gaming ecosystem where the console will not be as necessary as it was before. Players will be able to enjoy their games from any compatible device, be it a mobile phone, a tablet, or even devices such as Steam deckThe idea is that as long as you have a good internet connection, you won't need your Xbox console to play.
Games from your library, in the cloud
This improvement for Xbox CloudGaming will allow players to stream thousands of games directly from Microsoft’s servers, which is a radical change from the current limitation of only being able to play titles from the Game Pass catalog. Although some titles will not be available for this functionality due to licensing issues or publisher bans, the majority of games present in the Xbox store will work without problems.
This advancement in Microsoft services is especially relevant in a context where cloud gaming is gaining more and more followers, and where the competition is also turning to this area. The truth is that the delay of this functionality has generated expectations, and many players have been waiting since the company originally announced this option in 2020. Now, after several years of adjustments and preparation of the infrastructure, the functionality seems to be ready to be launched to the general public.
One of the key points of this change is the possibility of accessing your entire Xbox library from anywhere without the need for downloads or installations. Simply by connecting to the platform Xbox CloudGaming, the player will be able to launch any game that is associated with their account, which is a huge step forward in flexibility for those looking to play games without being tied to a physical console. More importantly, anyone interested could purchase Xbox games and play them without needing to own a Microsoft console, or at least that should be technically possible.
Xbox Insider testing and post-launch
For now, the feature will be rolled out in November for users enrolled in the program. Xbox Insiders, who will be able to test the functionality before it is implemented publicly for the rest of the players. As has been advanced The VergeMicrosoft will be running a series of internal tests to ensure server stability and proper workload management as servers transition from offering the hundreds of games that were available on Game Pass to a catalog of easily thousands of games.
It's important to note that this won't be the end of restrictions. While most games in the library will be accessible, some publishers may block the ability to play certain titles due to licensing or commercial preferences. However, Microsoft assures that the available catalog will grow significantly. We'll see which publisher is singled out.
This change also coincides with another major tweak coming to the US in November. Android gamers will be able to purchase games directly from the official Xbox app on their mobile devices thanks to a recent legal dispute between Google and Epic Games, opening up more opportunities to acquire games without going through the Xbox billing process. Google Play.
One step closer to global gaming
The expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming This will not only affect Game Pass users, but also those who have an extensive library of purchased games. Microsoft has long been betting on a more accessible gaming model, where the ability to stream from the cloud removes traditional hardware barriers. In fact, users will be able to stream games from any compatible device, without requiring the presence of the physical console in the process.
For users of technologies such as Fire Stick In the case of Amazon or smart TVs, an interesting door is also opening, as Microsoft is reaching agreements to bring Game Pass (and in the future this new functionality) to a variety of devices. This will allow games to be enjoyed on televisions without needing to own an Xbox, as is already the case with Samsung's most modern models.
Additionally, the advancements aren't just limited to accessibility; the recently added mouse and keyboard support also brings greater flexibility. While this is an option available for a limited number of games, Microsoft intends to expand the list of titles that support these peripherals, which will especially benefit those who play titles that require greater precision, such as shooters and strategy games.