Microsoft's long-in-development Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming service has finally gone live in Australia. While the service is still technically in beta, any Aussie with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription can now jump on and start streaming. Australia isn't the only country to flick the switch today, with Japan, Mexico and Brazil all joining the party too.
Now, what does 'cloud gaming' actually mean, and should you be excited? In short, for Game Pass subscribers, yes. Cloud gaming is a wild new world to be hopping into, and one we’re happy to break down for you.
The tl;dr of cloud gaming is simple: instead of the device you're using to game on doing the processing for the gameplay to occur (be that a Windows 10 PC or laptop, or Android or iOS phone or tablet), that all happens on a Microsoft-owned virtual machine that lives in a server-farm somewhere nearby (usually in the same country, if not the same city). That gameplay is streamed in real time from the cloud to your device screen, meaning very little processing is done on your local device, which just needs to send input information back 'up' to the cloud server.
In effect, instead of your own device having to do all the legwork to make the game run, it just plays you a streamed interactive video of what’s happening in the game as it’s being processed elsewhere. This tech has been around for a while, and this rollout is a nifty step towards cloud gaming taking a larger hold.
With the jargon aside, this means that from today (Friday, October 1) you'll be able to access any of the cloud-enabled Game Pass games on a whole bunch of different devices never seen before. Halo on your Android phone? Done. Forza on your iPad? Yes please!
A couple of pointers for PC players right off the bat. You will need a controller to access a whole heap of the games from the cloud – this is unfortunately a place where the mouse and keyboard just won’t cut it. Luckily for users without a gamepad, but with a touchscreen, Microsoft has implemented touch controls to mimic those you’d get on a controller across a selection of early games, including Hades, Scarlet Nexus, Gears 5 and Minecraft. This list is expected to grow over time; for a glimpse of how the touch controls look, take a gander below:
I have to say I ran into early issues when trying to use a wired PlayStation DualShock controller to test run some games and was met with a hard no, but have been told that Bluetooth pads should work fine. For a full list of supported and tested gaming controllers, check here.
How to access Xbox Cloud Gaming
To get first-hand experience of how the beta runs and what playing on the cloud is like, you’ll need to have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which costs AU$15.95 a month. This grants you access to the beta, as well as the full suite of over 300 games available as part of the Xbox Game Pass.
You can sign up for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with this link. Or click the Ultimate option below. Make sure it’s the Ultimate option, as a standard Xbox Game Pass subscription does not grant access to the beta.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Rian Howlett is one of T3's entertainment and culture reporters. An expert in tech, gaming and lifestyle coverage, Rian’s work has featured in Kotaku, Man of Many, and Happy Mag. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2015 and was instrumental in building and working with Avenoir, a grassroots youth magazine for Perth locals.
-
Ring owners are getting a huge AI upgrade
Ring beats Google to the punch with the launch of AI-powered search for your video history
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Is there a MicroLED Garmin Fenix smartwatch on its way?
Developer code reveals a potential bombshell wearable launch from Garmin
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Xbox Game Pass gets one of the best combat games of recent times for free
Available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC across multiple Game Pass tiers
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass losing huge AAA action game – you only have weeks left to play
Gotham Knights is being removed from the Xbox Game Pass lineup, so play it while you still can
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass Standard will get day one games, just not on day one
More details emerge on the new Xbox Game Pass tier
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Xbox Game Pass gets the best version of one of the best shooters of all time... for free
Available to download now
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass gets the latest Call of Duty – you can download it right now
Game Pass gets COD
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
100s of Xbox games could soon be yours without needing Game Pass
Xbox allegedly plans to offer Cloud Gaming separately
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass getting a trio of brand new games real soon – including a promising Zelda-alike
Shaping up to be a busy week for the subscription
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Xbox Game Pass could get Call of Duty a lot sooner than October – this month, in fact
Hot on the heels of pricing changes comes a classic COD
By Max Freeman-Mills Published