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Microsoft expands its cloud gaming service to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers

Xbox Cloud Gaming exits its closed beta.

An image of an Xbox controller sitting next to an iPhone, iPad and Chromebook laptop.

Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play Game Pass titles on iOS, iPad, Android, Windows and Mac, via a web browser.

Image: Microsoft

Microsoft has officially opened its cloud gaming service to all eligible Xbox Game Pass subscribers, ending its invite-only beta period that started back in April and entering an open beta stage.

The service, officially called Xbox Cloud Gaming (and previously known as xCloud), lets anyone play Game Pass titles across Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads and Android devices using a browser. The only requirements are that they live in one of the 22 supported markets, pay for the $15 per month Game Pass Ultimate tier and have a fast enough internet connection to support game streaming.

Additionally, Microsoft says it's upgraded the hardware it uses to power its cloud gaming service from older Xbox devices to the newest and most powerful console the company sells, the Xbox Series X. The company says this should improve performance, including higher frame rates and faster load times.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to less powerful hardware, including a streaming device it's building itself and eligible smart TVs from third-party partners. To achieve this, Microsoft needs to continue improving its cloud gaming service so that one day customers can rely on streaming entirely, because streaming sticks and TVs will not be capable of downloading and running games locally without an Xbox plugged in.

Today's formal rollout of cloud gaming to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers marks the first step toward realizing that ambition, although Microsoft still has a long road ahead before it can reliably sell a cloud-only version of Game Pass.

Update June 29, 1PM ET: Clarified that Xbox Cloud Gaming is still in beta, but it moved from a closed beta to an open beta.

Nick Statt

Nick Statt is Protocol's video game reporter. Prior to joining Protocol, he was news editor at The Verge covering the gaming industry, mobile apps and antitrust out of San Francisco, in addition to managing coverage of Silicon Valley tech giants and startups. He now resides in Rochester, New York, home of the garbage plate and, completely coincidentally, the World Video Game Hall of Fame. He can be reached at nstatt@protocol.com.

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