According to The Verge, Xbox is testing its cloud gaming platform, xCloud through web browsers such as Chrome and Edge.
The Verge reports that the browser-based streaming service from Microsoft will be going into open beta in the near future. Similar to the Android version of xCloud game streaming, testers and users are presented with a full library of Xbox games to stream through their web browser.
The supported streaming resolution on web browsers has not been revealed, the report affirms that Microsoft is using “Xbox One S server blades for its existing xCloud infrastructure, so full 4K streaming won’t be supported”. Microsoft confirmed that the backend hardware will be upgraded with Xbox Series X’s components later this year.
Microsoft is planning to bundle this web version of xCloud into the PC version of the Xbox app on Windows 10, too. The web version appears to be currently limited to Chromium browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, much like Google’s Stadia service. Microsoft is planning some form of public preview of xCloud via the web in the spring, and this wider internal testing signals that the preview is getting very close.
Microsoft announced the necessity to deliver cloud gaming via web browsers following Apple’s ban of streaming services in 2020. The Cupertino-based company denied Microsoft’s request to deliver the streaming service on iOS, due to their need to rate each game available through the platform.
The conflict between both companies escalated to Microsoft filing a letter of support for Epic Games during their lawsuit against Apple, following Fortnite’s ban on the App Store.
With cloud gaming and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, users can play over 100 Xbox Game Pass titles on phones and tablets. The technology is connected with Xbox Live across devices, which means that users on streaming devices will get access to the nearly 100 million Xbox Live players around the world. Cloug Gaming requires a fast connection and if you want to make sure your internet is ready, you can always head to Speedcheck and see for yourself.
Source: The Verge
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Includes several titles.
Which was showcased at E3 2003.