Xbox is reportedly gearing up to test a new feature that would allow players to stream their own games via Cloud Streaming, moving beyond the current limitation to titles available in Xbox Game Pass.
According to Tom Warren from The Verge, this functionality is part of Project Lapland and is expected to be introduced to the Xbox Insider program in November. If all goes well, more users will gain access thereafter. As previously noted, the feature will likely only be accessible to Ultimate subscribers.
Currently, Xbox only permits players to stream games that are part of the Game Pass library. This feature allows gaming on various devices, including smartphones and even Amazon Fire TV. Traditionally, players would need to navigate through a web browser to access cloud games, though Xbox has been making strides with standalone apps for smart TVs and, soon, a new mobile app that consolidates both the Xbox and Game Pass applications. While a browser is still necessary for Cloud Streaming, players can expect a smoothed-out experience while exploring the catalog and claiming Game Pass benefits.
Moreover, a recent ruling from the Epic Games antitrust case against Google will empower Xbox users to purchase games directly through its Android app. This change comes after Google restricted app developers from implementing third-party payment options within the Play Store.
The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will promote more choice and flexibility. Our mission is to enable more players to engage on more devices, so we’re excited to announce that starting in November, players will be able to purchase and play Xbox games directly…
— Sarah Bond (@BondSarah_Bond) October 10, 2024
These developments have been in the works for some time. The promise of allowing players to stream their owned games via the cloud, as opposed to just Game Pass titles, was initially made when Xbox’s streaming service was first branded as Project xCloud. In 2019, Xbox leadership expressed, “We believe in the freedom to play and the freedom to choose. By 2020, gamers will have the ability to cloud-stream Xbox games they own or buy.”
Additionally, the company reiterated their plans in 2022. Ashley McKissick, the corporate vice president of Gaming Experiences and Platforms, stated that based on player feedback, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers would eventually be able to stream games they already own “as long as they are cloud-enabled” later that same year.
