In a significant shift aimed at enhancing user experience, Microsoft has announced that its Xbox Cloud Gaming service will now be accessible to subscribers of the Game Pass Core and Standard tiers. This change, effective immediately, allows these users to stream not only the cloud-enabled games included in their subscriptions but also select titles they already own.
The Xbox Insider team expressed their commitment to personalizing the gaming experience, stating, “We’re always exploring more ways to make your Xbox experience centered around you – your content, benefits, and playstyle.” This initiative is designed to facilitate seamless access to beloved games, regardless of location or device.
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Notably, this expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming does not extend to the PC Game Pass tier. However, Microsoft has introduced select PC games for Xbox Insiders subscribed to the Game Pass Core or Standard tiers. These cloud-enabled PC titles, which may not be fully optimized for controller use, will be accessible exclusively through the Xbox app on PC.
The team emphasized the versatility of this update, stating, “Whether you’re gaming on console, PC, or streaming via supported cloud devices, this update broadens your library and makes it easier to jump into your favorite games across more screens.” This enhancement undoubtedly adds considerable value to the Game Pass Core and Standard tiers, particularly with the expanding “Stream your own games” library.
Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on Xbox consoles, PCs, and through the web at xbox.com/play. Additionally, native applications can be found on Samsung and LG smart TVs, as well as Fire TV devices. For users on smart TVs, enabling cloud-enabled games with a Game Pass Core or Standard subscription requires navigating to Settings and activating preview features under the Account section.
