Microsoft's Game Streaming Tech, Project xCloud, Will Deploy Xbox Games Across All Devices, Public Test in 2019

Is this the first glimpse at the tech that might be used in Microsoft's rumored streaming version of its next Xbox?

News by Tom Orry, Managing Editor

Updated on 9 October 2018

Streaming technology has seemingly been the Holy Grail of video game technology for quite a few years now, and Microsoft has just revealed how it plans to deliver Xbox games to all devices: Project xCloud. The streaming tech will be available for a public test in 2019.

As has been alluded to in the psat by Microsoft, the firm wants consumers to be able to play their games on any device. Project xCloud, which has no firm release date other than a public test in 2019, will cater for all players, and aims to deliver an experience they are used to on consoles and PC.

That experience must feature low-latency video streamed remotely to ensure there isn't noticeable input lag, support a large, multi-user network, and offer high graphical fidelity and framerates. This is no small task, and one that most streaming tech released to date has failed to achieve. The recent move to 4K displays and 4K capable consoles must surely have made the task even tougher.

Sea of Thieves running on Project xCloud with touch controls.

Microsoft is no stranger to cloud computing and has a sizable datacenter infrastructure in place thanks to its Azure business. These datacenters are being fitted with custom hardware that can host multiple Xbox One consoles that can deliver streaming to more than 140 countries. The test version of Project xCloud supports 4G networks and will also make the most of upcoming 5G networks. The video below shows big Microsoft franchises Halo, Gears of War, and Forza Horizon running on mobile devices.

The Project xCloud streaming tech will work on any compatible device alongside an Xbox One bluetooth controller, and touch screen controls will also be offered. Microsoft is talking about the tech being used to stream games to mobile and tablet devices, but the news does support reports from earlier in the year that suggested the firm is working on a streaming version of its next generation Xbox.

A public test for Project xCloud will run in 2019. Microsoft has stated it will reveal more details in the future and that the streaming tech does not mean the time of the standard console is over.

Tom Orry

Managing Editor

Tom started life on a circus in Australia before his family moved to the UK. His love of gaming started soon after, which essentially meant he bought every video game magazine available and worked numerous part-time jobs as a child in order to afford costly N64 games. He created UK site VideoGamer.com, of which he was the Editor for over a decade. He now doesn't like circuses.