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Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Launches with More Than 150 Games

Why is this not available on PC through a browser or app? The only reason I can think of is to get you to buy the XSX or a gaming PC. Because if xcloud is part of game pass ultimate, why on earth would I buy Microsoft’s hardware?
 

Alx

Member
Why is this not available on PC through a browser or app? The only reason I can think of is to get you to buy the XSX or a gaming PC. Because if xcloud is part of game pass ultimate, why on earth would I buy Microsoft’s hardware?

Microsoft is selling XSX at a loss… they would be more than happy if you paid for a subscription without buying the hardware, that's a win-win for them.
 

JLB

Banned
Why is this not available on PC through a browser or app? The only reason I can think of is to get you to buy the XSX or a gaming PC. Because if xcloud is part of game pass ultimate, why on earth would I buy Microsoft’s hardware?

Maybe the mobile apps are using some native feature that is by default not available on a web based app. Eventually, I guess that Microsoft will build an Electron based app covering them, but seems like mobile native apps are a priority as of now.
 

FeldMonster

Member
Tried a couple games in the beta and immediately noped out. Input lag and user experience was too much.

It is not nearly as seamless as it should be. Starting up a game involves minutes of watching some spaceship loading screen, followed by game loading, followed by logins and whatnot.

The Netflix of gaming this is not. They shouldn't have bothered until they had SSDs installed in all of the servers.

Even then, why does it take a minute to start up a stream? Imagine if clicking every youtube video involved a minute or more of buffering before it started the ads. You may say its for firing up a server blade, but you go through this every time you change games.... That is a terrible for what should be seamless experience and it will turn people off.

I was going to use this to demo some games but its not worth the effort to break out my phone, log onto an app, select a game, watch a spaceship load for a minute, then load a game for it then to play like that on a tiny screen.

Also why is xCloud not available on the Xbox itself?
I agree, the initial load (per game) is quite slow. The loading delay you experienced is due to the fact that an individual Xbox One S had to load up the game. Remember these are not just generic servers. As someone with an Xbox One X, the difference between an S and an X is already vast. Once these are replaced in a few months with Xbox Series X consoles, the initial load will significantly improve.

I also wonder if some of the technology behind Quick Resume was developed with the XCloud servers in mind. It could help expedite game switching or even user switching.

Regarding the lack of an Xbox One client, it is coming, but isn't the highest priority right now. Xbox One and Windows Computer users can already play Xboc games natively, so there is less incentive compared to the mobile market, which is both larger, and under-served with respect to Xbox. Hopefully it comes soon. I am also hoping that they make an official client for Android TV, Firestick, and even the Xbox 360 in order to captured lapsed former Xbox users.
 

FeldMonster

Member
Why is this not available on PC through a browser or app? The only reason I can think of is to get you to buy the XSX or a gaming PC. Because if xcloud is part of game pass ultimate, why on earth would I buy Microsoft’s hardware?
Because Windows computers can already play Xbox games natively, whereas smartphones cannot. In addition, the mobile market is larger, and Microsoft's mindshare in the mobile market is low overall. Microsoft had encouraging Xcloud usage in Korea, and I assume they would want to replicate that in Japan and Western Europe.
 

magaman

Banned
Tried a couple games in the beta and immediately noped out. Input lag and user experience was too much.

It is not nearly as seamless as it should be. Starting up a game involves minutes of watching some spaceship loading screen, followed by game loading, followed by logins and whatnot.

The Netflix of gaming this is not. They shouldn't have bothered until they had SSDs installed in all of the servers.

Even then, why does it take a minute to start up a stream? Imagine if clicking every youtube video involved a minute or more of buffering before it started the ads. You may say its for firing up a server blade, but you go through this every time you change games.... That is a terrible for what should be seamless experience and it will turn people off.

I was going to use this to demo some games but its not worth the effort to break out my phone, log onto an app, select a game, watch a spaceship load for a minute, then load a game for it then to play like that on a tiny screen.

Also why is xCloud not available on the Xbox itself?

Yeah, this is mostly BS and user issues.
 

wolywood

Member
Microsoft is selling XSX at a loss… they would be more than happy if you paid for a subscription without buying the hardware, that's a win-win for them.

Yep, same as Amazon....sure, they would prefer you watch their video content on a Firestick, but it's absolutely not mandatory. The real money is in keeping you subscribed to Prime.
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
You can side load the app on Nvidia Shield TV though and there's videos of that working pretty well.
hPeKLHG.png
 

Pantz

Gold Member
Not my experience at all I’m afraid :(
Glad it works for you though.

5Ghz WiFi 100Mbps down 10Mbps up on a Galaxy Note 10 and it was nearly unplayable.

Try turning the wifi off on your phone and then turning it back on. That worked for me.
 

Shmunter

Member
Just watched this...

  • Not a replacement for a console, just a bonus
  • Playing local is a night and day experience
  • Xcloud has noticeably more lag than Stadia

All the fuss over this? We are nowhere near ready for game streaming.

 

T-Square

Member
which app am I use for this? there is Xbox, Xbox game pass, Xbox game pass beta and so on and so forth
 
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When are they catching up to PSNow.... I mean 150+ V.s. 650+, this is a pathetic service for a pathetic fan base, demand better from MS, or you will keep getting crap.
 

M1chl

Currently Gif and Meme Champion
When are they catching up to PSNow.... I mean 150+ V.s. 650+, this is a pathetic service for a pathetic fan base, demand better from MS, or you will keep getting crap.
It's only games which are on GamePass, but I agree that for streaming service, it's pretty long in comparison. However probably a lot of new titles there. Like I menat more games from this gen on GP. But I haven't check. PS Now is not available here, so I demand more from sorry for their pathetic offering.
 

Allandor

Member
When are they catching up to PSNow.... I mean 150+ V.s. 650+, this is a pathetic service for a pathetic fan base, demand better from MS, or you will keep getting crap.
Well, most PS3 games and just streaming at 720p ...

Well there are more games coming and it is just the start.
But, yes it is a streaming service with all the negatives around it (lag, connection-issues, ...).
 
It's only games which are on GamePass, but I agree that for streaming service, it's pretty long in comparison. However probably a lot of new titles there.
Titles remain new for a month or so, that wears off fast.
Like I menat more games from this gen on GP. But I haven't check.
Last time I checked PSNow had over 350 PS4 games.
PS Now is not available here, so I demand more from sorry for their pathetic offering.
Both are available where I live, honestly I was happy to ignore PSNow until the constant barrage of GamePass threads... so I decided to compare the services to weight their actual value, I fond out that GamePass is lackluster compared to PSNow--yet it gets all the praise (even before the streaming version kicked in).

I assume it's the promotions that let you have it for almost free, but at regular price it's pathetic at best.
 
Well, most PS3 games and just streaming at 720p ...
Most games are PS4 games.

And if you stream in your phone it's unlikely that you will notice, however if you stream to a TV or PC this is a whole other story

I don't use either, but I was to pick one it would definitely be PSNow (owning games is definitely less costly and gives you access to more games in the medium to long run).
 

Shmunter

Member
Titles remain new for a month or so, that wears off fast.

Last time I checked PSNow had over 350 PS4 games.

Both are available where I live, honestly I was happy to ignore PSNow until the constant barrage of GamePass threads... so I decided to compare the services to weight their actual value, I fond out that GamePass is lackluster compared to PSNow--yet it gets all the praise (even before the streaming version kicked in).

I assume it's the promotions that let you have it for almost free, but at regular price it's pathetic at best.
It’s all in the marketing. Sony has no desire to push it despite having it for years now.

Just watched the cnet review off Xcloud. Streaming just ain’t it for the foreseeable future.
 

reinking

Gold Member
Yeah, this is mostly BS and user issues.
Maybe but that is still a hurdle MS will have to overcome. Regular people (not tech) are part of their target. Even "user issues" and "user error" have to be taken into consideration for mass market appeal.
 
Got the update but all the games are still asking me to install remotely?
Are you in the cloud tab?

Samsung version of Game Pass didn't seem to have the update so I installed the PlayStore version and that one does. Seems laggy right now browsing the games list though like a lot of people are hammering the servers.
 

BeardGawd

Banned
I got the update on the Galaxy store (non-beta Game Pass). Shows all the games. It feels weird to say that I can't wait to get some cloud gaming in.
 
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FeldMonster

Member
When are they catching up to PSNow.... I mean 150+ V.s. 650+, this is a pathetic service for a pathetic fan base, demand better from MS, or you will keep getting crap.
The biggest issue with PSNow, as a consumer, is the lack of access. I have zero interest in buying a PS4 (or any Playstation for that matter) or a Windows computer just to stream the one Sony game I would like to try. Why should you have to buy a system just to stream a game that it can play natively? Sony logic I guess.

PSNow is not available on Android, MacOS, Linux, iOS, or any of the smart tv systems, so I literally have no way to access it.
 
The biggest issue with PSNow, as a consumer, is the lack of access. I have zero interest in buying a PS4 (or any Playstation for that matter) or a Windows computer just to stream the one Sony game I would like to try. Why should you have to buy a system just to stream a game that it can play natively? Sony logic I guess.

PSNow is not available on Android, MacOS, Linux, iOS, or any of the smart tv systems, so I literally have no way to access it.
It used to be, even on smart TVs... I don't know why Sony decided to stop the distribution of their service on these devices (along iOS and Android), maybe they could not figure out how to sell to these people? (or there just aren't that many).
 

BeardGawd

Banned
The reason Sony isn't pushing this is because its expensive AF to maintain. Think about it. You have to literally have a console available close to each user thats using the service. If it becomes super popular thats millions of consoles plus the regional infrastructure to manage.

MS is in the unique position to make this more feasible. They already have invested billions on cloud infrastructure around the world plus the Series S and Series X can double as Windows machines for their Azure business and machine learning.
 
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Gavon West

Spread's Cheeks for Intrusive Ads
Why is this not available on PC through a browser or app? The only reason I can think of is to get you to buy the XSX or a gaming PC. Because if xcloud is part of game pass ultimate, why on earth would I buy Microsoft’s hardware?
Jesus. This again?
 

Gavon West

Spread's Cheeks for Intrusive Ads
Anyone use Xbox cloud to play a competitive online shooter like Halo or gears? How is the lag and response?
I haven't played MP on Xcloud. But I hear the experience is pretty great to awful. Depending on who you ask and connection speeds.
 

Dolomite

Member
Just watched this...

  • Not a replacement for a console, just a bonus
  • Playing local is a night and day experience
  • Xcloud has noticeably more lag than Stadia

All the fuss over this? We are nowhere near ready for game streaming.


No fuss everyone is excited that this is free with GPU as they should be. No use raining on someone else's parade simply play your console instead
 

Greeno

Member
Just watched this...

  • Not a replacement for a console, just a bonus
  • Playing local is a night and day experience
  • Xcloud has noticeably more lag than Stadia

All the fuss over this? We are nowhere near ready for game streaming.


Looking at the comments of the video, it seems the issue is with the Bluetooth of the mobile. Some are saying using the Kishi controller significantly reduces the lag.
 

Chromata

Member
Tried it out, the tech is very cool, but this isn't replacing console gaming any time soon. The input lag and the image quality variance is just too much. There would need to be substantial improvements in the next ~5 years for streaming to be an actual contender with hardware solutions.
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Looking at the comments of the video, it seems the issue is with the Bluetooth of the mobile. Some are saying using the Kishi controller significantly reduces the lag.
This has been my experience as well, various bluetooth controllers I have all introduce various amounts of lag into the process. Some work more or less okay, others work terribly. I have a Kishi arriving in a few days, but I suspect those claims are true since it's not a wireless controller (but instead connects to your phone via USB-C).
 

Nikana

Go Go Neo Rangers!
This has been my experience as well, various bluetooth controllers I have all introduce various amounts of lag into the process. Some work more or less okay, others work terribly. I have a Kishi arriving in a few days, but I suspect those claims are true since it's not a wireless controller (but instead connects to your phone via USB-C).
Did you find a deal on the kishi?
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Did you find a deal on the kishi?
Full retail price on Razor's site seemed like a deal to me, considering it's sold out everywhere else.

Razor had a $10 off code, but only applied if you spent $99 or more. So I guess I could have got $10 off the Xbox version (which would still make it $10 more expensive than the generic Android version), if that's your thing.
 

Nikana

Go Go Neo Rangers!
Full retail price on Razor's site seemed like a deal to me, considering it's sold out everywhere else.

Razor had a $10 off code, but only applied if you spent $99 or more. So I guess I could have got $10 off the Xbox version (which would still make it $10 more expensive than the generic Android version), if that's your thing.
Wasnt aware there were two versions. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Its easily the most appealing I think of all the controllers but that price is just hard to swallow.
 
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