Microsoft xCloud has received a launch date. The game streaming service will be launched in October this year.
This news was announced at Microsoft’s press conference at E3 personally by Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox. Contrary to expectations, Microsoft xCloud will not launch as a separate streaming service similar to Google Stadia.
“The console streaming service will turn your Xbox One into a personal free xCloud server,” Spencer said. That is, the player will be able to use his Xbox console as a server to which other gaming devices can be connected.
Thus, Xbox will launch only one of the components of its cloud project. As a full-fledged streaming platform, Microsoft xCloud should open later. Earlier, the company said that their service will support at least all titles for Xbox. This gives xCloud a library of over 3,500 console games.
The Project xCloud cloud solution was announced in October. Then Microsoft announced that it would take many more years to develop the technology, Gamasutra writes. Nevertheless, the service was announced already at the ongoing E3, and besides, they decided to launch a “streaming mode” on Xbox One. Perhaps Microsoft had to accelerate due to the announcement of the Stadia cloud platform from Google.
We also recall that Microsoft recently joined forces with Sony in the cloud streaming market. And this decision was also Google Stadia’s answer.
Also on the topic:
- Microsoft, following Google, announced its own game streaming serviceMicrosoft: there will be too few games in the Google Stadia library for a wide audience
- Sony and Microsoft have joined forces to develop cloud gaming
- PlayStation CEO: Sony and Microsoft’s alliance was a response to the announcement of Google Stadia