Project xCloud: All the latest news, games and updates for Microsoft's streaming service

Streaming is arguably the future of gaming. with Google Stadia and GeForce Now being some of the early players in the battleground, having recently been joined by Microsoft’s Project xCloud, a new service set to accompany its next-gen machine – Xbox Series X.

Project xCloud is now accessible across a variety of devices with several games available as part of the ongoing trial. If you’re eager to try out the technology or have grown tired of Google Stadia, you can sign up right now and get stuck in.

Things are changing all the time, but we’ve compiled everything you need to know about Project xCloud including all the latest news, release date, games, specs and more.

Related: PlayStation 5 vs Xbox Series X

What is Project xCloud?

Project xCloud is Microsoft’s solution to cloud streaming, specifically when it comes to gaming across Xbox and Windows. Instead of replacing the next generation of console hardware, Microsoft hopes to have it act as a companion for players across a variety of devices.

“We’re developing Project xCloud not as a replacement for game consoles, but as a way to provide the same choice and versatility that lovers of music and video enjoy today. We’re adding more ways to play Xbox games. We love what’s possible when a console is connected to a 4K TV with full HDR support and surround sound – that remains a fantastic way to experience console gaming.  We also believe in empowering gamers to decide when and how to play,” explained Kareem Choudhry, corporate vice president of cloud gaming at Microsoft.

In essence, it will hope to include your gaming library, friends list, achievements and everything that defines your Xbox Live identity. Microsoft has made it abundantly clear it’s keen to grow its ecosystem, whether through multi-platform play or its Game Pass subscription service. xCloud is yet another layer to this. 

Where can I use Project xCloud?

Project xCloud can be accessed by signing up to the ongoing trial and downloading the Xbox Game Streaming (Preview) App from the Google Play Store. Your device will need to be running Android 6.0 or higher, which is rather common amongst most handsets these days.

After that, simply connect a wireless controller via Bluetooth and you’re good to go. Microsoft has confirmed it will be coming to Windows and other similar devices later in 2020, although a specific release date hasn’t been announced.

Project xCloud price – how much does it cost?

Pricing details for Project xCloud are yet to be confirmed, and we’ll likely hear more concrete specifics once the general release window has been pinned down. Phil Spencer said previously that players could use their Xbox One console as their own “personal and free xCloud server.” Chances are it could be tied into Xbox Live, Game Pass or the Ultimate subscription service, bringing players further into Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Related: Best Xbox One Games

 

Project xCloud release date – when will it be available?

A concrete release date for Project xCloud remains unconfirmed, although Microsoft is currently holding a trial period for the streaming service with a selection of games. 

You can register for the trial here. It allows selected players to test out a variety of games on phones and tablets. Over 50 games are now available on the Project xCloud service, so players will have a bunch to get stuck into.

This trial is limited to Android devices, and you’ll also require Bluetooth 4.0 and a wireless controller to enjoy the games. Microsoft has said it will be bringing Project xCloud to PC later this year, although a specific date remains unconfirmed. 

Project xCloud specs – how powerful will it be?

Microsoft hasn’t released a list of specifications for Project xCloud, although we do have a rough idea of the architecture ticking away underneath its virtual hood. It will run through Microsoft’s Azure computing centres, 140 of which are situated around the world and will ensure players can run games through xCloud with minimal latency and decent image quality. The proof is obviously in the pudding, but this is reassuring to hear.

Project xCloud games – what can I play on it?

We’ve compiled all of the games currently available in the Project xCloud preview programme below:

• Absolver
• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
• Ark: Survival Evolved
• Battle Chaser: Nightwar
• Black Desert Online
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
• Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
• Brothers: Tales of Two Sons
• Children of Morta
• Crackdown 3
• Darksiders 3
• DayZ
• Dead by Daylight
• Dead Island: Definitive Edition
• Devil May Cry 5
• Dirt Rally 2.9
• F1 2019
• Felix The Reaper
• Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour
• For The King
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears 5
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Wars 2
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
• Hello Neighbour
• Hitman: Game of the Year Edition
• Just Cause 4
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance
• Madden NFL 20
• Mark of the Ninja: Remastered
• MotoGP 19
• Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Overcooked
• Oxenfree
• PuyoPuyo Champions
• RAD
• Recore: Definitive Edition
• Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Sniper Elite 4
• SoulCalibur 6
• State of Decay 2
• Subnautica
• Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
• Tekken 7
• Tera
• The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut
• The Hunter: Call of the Wild
• Tracks: The Train Set Game
• Vampyr
• War Thunder
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2
• West of Dead
• World of Final Fantasy: Maxima
• World of Tanks
• World of Warships
• World War Z
• WRC 7
• WWE 2K20
• Yoku’s Island Express

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