Microsoft Tests Xbox Cloud Game Streaming On Web For The First Time

Microsoft is moving closer toward the launch of the Xbox on the web as it finally tests the xCloud game streaming in browsers.

Employees of the software giant were spotted testing the web version of the xCloud, according to people familiar with Microsoft’s Xbox plan. The testing comes ahead of the anticipated public launch.

The feature allows Xbox players to access their games through a web browser, The Verge reported. The service also makes xCloud work on iPhones and iPads. Game enthusiasts will have a game streaming experience in their iOS and iPadOS devices similar to those on Android phones.

The xCloud web version will allow gamers' to access a recently played game. It also features a simple launcher with game recommendations as well as access to all the cloud games available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

A game will launch at a full screen on xCloud on the web, which means the player will need to have a controller to play Xbox games through the web browser.

At the moment, the feature runs like the Google Stadia service, which is limited to Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome and Microsoft Edge, Engadget reported. However, the company plans to bundle the PC version of the Xbox app to the web version of xCloud on Windows 10 in the future.

The resolution Microsoft is using for streaming games through the web version has not been revealed. Since the software giant is still in the process of upgrading its backend infrastructure hardware to Xbox Series X, xCloud definitely cannot go up to 4K streaming as of the moment, Engadget reported.

Although Microsoft has previously promised it will make iOS and PC streaming available on the web this coming spring, there have been no official announcements about the release date yet. For now, the test is one proof that the company is moving toward the fulfillment of its promise.

Reports described the launch of xCloud on the web as Microsoft’s important moves in its effort to make Xbox available wherever a player wants to play, which could also justify the $15 monthly subscription fee, Engadget reported.