The era of Xbox cloud streaming is getting underway, as Microsoft began sending invites for the public preview of the xCloud service.
In a tweet on Monday, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said invites are now hitting the inboxes of the first wave of gamers who’d signed up for the beta, with the process continuing over the next few weeks.
The lucky few gamers selected by Microsoft will be able to play Gears 5, Halo 5: Guardians and Sea of Thieves, with more games being added to the preview over time.
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Right now, the preview is only available to test drive on Android devices, with no availability for iOS users as yet. That’s despite Apple opening up compatibility for the Xbox Wireless Controller in iOS 13 and even selling it on the Apple Store.
Proud of the #ProjectxCloud team for launching the public preview – it’s an exciting time at Xbox. Invitations are rolling out now and will continue over the coming weeks. We’re excited for all of you to help shape the future of game streaming.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) October 14, 2019
Registration is still open for the xCloud preview, provided you can meet the following requirements:
- Compatible mobile device with Android 6.0/Bluetooth 4.0 or higher
- Xbox One Wireless Controller with Bluetooth
- 10MB/s download speed minimum
- Xbox Game Streaming App (Preview)
However, if you’re signing-up today, don’t expect an email from Microsoft in the near future. Last month, the company warned it as only adding a “small section” of users, and large numbers of eager gamers would have signed up already.
Once xCloud is released as a completed product, Microsoft wants the cloud-based platform to be available on most of the screens you have in your arsenal. We can expect Android and iOS apps for tablets and smartphones, as well access via PCs and consoles.
The platform is likely to go head-to-head with the Google Stadia platform, scheduled to launch before the end of the year. Sony is also likely to have an answer to xCloud, beyond its current PlayStation Now platform that offers access to older titles for a monthly fee.
Have you received an invite to xCloud yet? Share your experiences with us @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
