Microsoft to Expand Xbox Cloud Gaming with Game Streaming
Microsoft is set to expand the capabilities of Xbox Cloud Gaming next month, allowing Xbox players to stream any of their purchased games. Up until now, the streaming features of Xbox Cloud Gaming have only been available for select Game Pass titles. However, Microsoft has been working towards enabling players to stream any game they own, and this feature is now on the horizon.
According to sources familiar with the company’s plans, Microsoft will introduce the ability to stream “thousands” of Xbox titles, not limited to those available via Game Pass, starting in November. This expansion is part of a long-running internal initiative known as Project Lapland.
This feature was originally supposed to launch under Project xCloud in 2020 but has faced challenges in preparing infrastructure for thousands of games. Even with the feature close to launch, some publishers may still hold back certain games due to licensing requirements or deals.
According to reports, the ability for players to stream any game from their Xbox library through Xbox Cloud Gaming will first be available for Xbox Insider testing in November before being expanded to more users and games. This news comes on the heels of the announcement that Xbox games will soon be purchasable via the Xbox App on Android devices in the US, aligning well with the upcoming expanded streaming capabilities for mobile users.