In a recent announcement, Xbox President Sarah Bond shared exciting news: starting in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming will allow subscribers to stream any title from the Xbox library, not just those included in Game Pass.
This update marks a significant shift for Microsoft’s service, which had previously limited players to a curated selection of games. This limitation had been a hurdle for gamers with large digital libraries outside Game Pass.
Bond explained that the change was driven by player feedback, with many requesting more flexibility in accessing and playing their games. The update aims to make Xbox Cloud Gaming more inclusive, giving players more options for digitally streaming the games they’ve purchased.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Expansion
Microsoft has been working on expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming for a while. The original plan was to enable streaming of any game from users’ libraries in 2022, but this feature faced multiple delays due to regulatory and commercial challenges.
However, recent developments have accelerated these plans. A U.S. court ruling eased restrictions on Android, allowing third-party apps to sell digital content without going through the Google Play Store. Following this decision, Microsoft revived its efforts to let players buy games directly through the Android app and stream them instantly via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
“The legal decision to open the Google Play Store in the US will allow more options and flexibility”, celebrated the Xbox boss in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Our mission is to enable more gamers to play on more devices, so we’re excited to announce that starting in November, gamers will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android.”
The hope is that this ruling will set a precedent for implementing similar strategies across other platforms and operating systems. With new regulations and established partnerships, Microsoft will likely soon bring these updates to Apple devices as well.
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What changes in Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream a curated selection of games, including popular titles like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Starfield. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to access these games on any device without downloading them or owning a physical Xbox console.
Starting in November, Microsoft is set to roll out an exciting update enabling players to stream any digital title from their library, even if it’s not part of Game Pass. This means users will not only enjoy access to popular subscription games but also be able to play individually purchased titles.
The process will be incredibly streamlined, as players won’t need an Xbox console or have to visit the Microsoft Store on a PC to make purchases; everything will be accessible directly through the Xbox app on Android.
Microsoft has stated that this new feature will be introduced gradually, beginning with Insider users in the United States in November, before expanding to the general public and other markets.
