Gaming in streaming is becoming an ideal solution for all those casual gamers who are not looking to spend a significant amount of money on hardware that they are not going to take full advantage of. Currently we have solutions from Google with Stadia, NVIDIA with GeForce Now, PlayStation with PlayStation Now and, how could it be otherwise, Microsoft also does the same with Project xCloud .
What is Project xCloud?
Microsoft’s idea with its cloud gaming service is to move and extend the Xbox experience beyond its consoles. With the service we will be able to play our entire library of games no matter where we are, and for this we will only need an internet connection and a compatible device. If we remember the beginnings of the current Xbox One X, the console in its days of development received the name of Project Scorpio, so we might think that the streaming service will have a new name when it is officially launched. We do not know if it will be Microsoft xCloud, Xbox xCloud, plain xCloud, or any other name, so we will have to wait until its official launch to answer any questions.
Why is it a preliminary version?
The service is in the testing phase, and is currently only accessible with the help of an invitation. On the official website of Project xCloud you can request such an invitation, although you will have to wait patiently and check if you are lucky, since not all users receive theirs due to high demand.
This controlled release preview release allows Microsoft to test and fine-tune the performance of the service so that when it officially arrives, it will perform at its best. This implies that currently some errors and lack of performance can be found on many occasions.
How can I connect?
To connect to Project xCloud you need a compatible device (in addition to the invitation). During the preliminary period we can only connect to an Android device, although the idea is that we can also connect from a computer or other type of devices when the service is officially launched.
What games can I play?
The Project xCloud games catalog is quite impressive, but for now there are many unknowns around it. Currently, when entering the service we will find dozens of games ready to start working. Gears 5, Bleeding Edge, Borderlands, Tomb Raider … the catalog is huge, and we just have to choose the one we want to play to start having fun. Having so many games at our disposal so easily sounds idyllic, but will it be so easy?
Are there differences between playing online and on a console?
Obviously there are. In order for the image of a game to be broadcast directly on your screen as soon as possible, it is necessary to adjust the bandwidth consumption to the maximum. For you to understand, it is the same with Netflix, which offers lower quality images than a blu-ray but practically priceless. Depending on the connection speed, the image quality will be better or worse, but never better than a console. Also, the graphic quality that Project xCloud emulates is similar to that of an Xbox One S, so an Xbox Series X will always show better graphics.
Will it cost money?
That is a question that for now has no answer. On the official website they describe that “during the preliminary version it is not necessary that you have games”, so we could understand that in the final version you must have them. This would put Project xCloud as a Stadia-like service, albeit based on the Xbox Store from the Microsoft Store. The doubt is that, if in addition to having to buy the games, we will have to pay a monthly fee to access the service. That’s something that could be completely reasonable, but perhaps Microsoft includes in services such as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.