Xbox Game Pass is going mobile thanks to the power of the cloud. Project xCloud, which was announced at E3 2018, first started a public-facing beta test in October 2019. It promises to bring console-quality Xbox hits to any kind of device, including cell phones and tablets. Right alongside xCloud's development, players have seen the rise of Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that gives access to those same console-quality games for one monthly fee. The two services are definitely intertwined, as anyone who primarily wants to game on a phone doesn't want to play premium upfront costs, no matter how good the game may be.
Other companies have beaten Microsoft to the punch slightly when it comes to rolling out these types of services. Google's Stadia launched months ago to a lukewarm reception, but its cheaper Stadia Pro subscription does give access to a good chunk of games. In addition, Google allows players to buy games a-la-carte for streaming, something that Microsoft isn't ready to do quite yet. At the other end of the spectrum, Apple launched its Apple Arcade mobile gaming subscription with over 100 exclusive premium experiences. While there's no sign of games as big as Red Dead Redemption or Call of Duty on iOS, it does provide healthy competition in the indie space.
On September 15, Xbox announces that it's officially joins the cloud streaming game with the launch of cloud gaming for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Anyone who wants to play the vast library of game pass on the go only needs a Bluetooth controller and an Android mobile device, with some sort of controller clip being an optional bit of convenience. Just like Xbox Play Anywhere between Xbox and PC, players can still enjoy their controller settings, achievement progress, and saved games on the go as they all seamlessly move between devices.
As part of the announcement, Xbox also revealed several mobile gaming accessories to help players make the leap from the couch to the outside world easier. After releasing the first Designed for Xbox mobile gaming clip, MOGA has returned with the XP5-X Plus Bluetooth Controller. It includes its own detachable clip and an internal power bank to keep phones charged as they game. The MOGA XP7-X is an extendable controller that wraps around smartphones Wii U-style, although it also functions as a more standard device. Finally, retro-minded accessory makers 8BitDo have introduced the SN30, a SNES-style Xbox pad for those who want to mix the power of the cloud with old school goodness.
With these new additions to the Xbox Game Pass experience, Microsoft is entering into a new arena, and it's the only traditional console maker doing so. While the Nintendo Switch is a portable system by nature , it's limited by hardware that can't run the latest and greatest. Xbox's cloud tech will not replace its console ambitions, but it's another piece of the message that Xbox games should be played anywhere on anything. By removing every possible barrier between players and the games they want to enjoy, Microsoft is pushing the industry past lazy mobile ports and false restrictions, putting the focus not on the platform but on the games.
Source: Xbox, Xbox Game Pass
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