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The story of Xbox‘s turnaround from the start of the generation to now is quite remarkable. What started out as misguided ideals about combining TV, games and Kinect, has now become a platform of optimism about the future of Xbox. A shining light behind that revival has most certainly been Xbox Game Pass. Often referred to as “The Netflix of games”, Game Pass has become the philosophy Microsoft aims to carry over to the next generation of consoles.
Now, Microsoft has announced that this September, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be available on Android devices. It’s being powered by Project xCloud, a new streaming service from Microsoft. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is available at $15 a month, and this essentially means that existing subscribers will get access to their Game Pass library of games wherever they are with an internet connection.
Microsoft has confirmed that existing Xbox controllers, and even Sony’s DualShock 4, will be compatible with xCloud games on mobile. They also announced that they would be partnering with periphery manufacturers like Razer and Nacon to make accessories perfect for cloud streaming.
In keeping with Microsoft’s consumer-friendly strategy, subscribers will keep access to their Xbox friends list, achievements and even saved progress regardless of where they are, once they’ve downloaded the Xbox Game Pass app on their devices. Pick-up-and-play has never been used quite like this.
There is a strong library on Xbox Game Pass, with over 100 titles to play. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed the full list of mobile streaming-compatible games as of yet, but we do know a few coming to the service when it launches in September. Destiny 2, Sea of Thieves, Minecraft Dungeons, Tell Me Why, Gears 5 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are just a few that will be streamable. Microsoft have leant in hard with their first-party approach, with Xbox Game Studios games launching with Game Pass on day one, and this will apply to xCloud in September.
Xbox Game Pass has been a massive hit with gamers, with over 10 million subscribers as of writing. It’s clear that the service is essential in Microsoft’s strategy to become the kings of gaming once again, and with this extra string in their bow, it certainly looks to be a very interesting move.
When I'm not researching games to potentially add to an ever-growing backlog of games I've never finished, I'm scouting the next wonderkid on Football Manager, or adding my 180th hour to my Persona 5 completionist run. Likes games, and likes talking about them. Surprise, right?
