A few days from the big showcase Xbox and Bethesda (and hopefully Activision in the future), Microsoft has offered some details about the future of its gaming platforms. And yes, we are talking about platforms within the Xbox ecosystem, since in addition to the console, the PC and the cloud, Microsoft is going to bring its video games to other platforms as well.
The company has taken the opportunity to announce a lot of news and thus focus on video games during its showcase, with great interesting announcements for those who are already in the Xbox ecosystem and for those who are thinking of taking the leap.
There are two very important announcements that offer a jump in possibilities for gamers, and once again show that, in this ecosystem, Microsoft has no rival. In this way, the company has announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming reaches Samsung TVs. At the moment exclusively, players will be able to play the games available in Game Pass Ultimate (as long as they are enabled in the cloud) without a console, all through the Xbox App. They will only need a controller.
The second relevant announcement, and which will represent a fundamental change for the future, not only for Game Pass, but also for cloud gaming, is the possibility of adding the games you already have even if they are not officially available in the catalog.
Add games to the cloud even if they are not on Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft has called this functionality, bring your own games to Xbox Cloud Gaming. And although the data is somewhat scarce according to the company’s explanations, it will arrive at the end of this year.
This functionality will allow Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play games they already own or have purchased outside of the Xbox Game Pass library from the cloud. In other words, it extends the possibilities of cloud gaming to games outside the catalog that have simply left the service, but that players have purchased in their library.
The operation is unknown, but it is supposed to work in a similar way to how the system scan games you already own for backwards compatibility or add the Xbox Series X|S versions to the games available in our catalog.
This is a fundamental change for the future of cloud gaming, since it expands the capabilities beyond the temporary catalog of the platform, and opens the possibility for players not to be limited to the list of titles provided by the company.
Which games will support this feature is still unknown. Also if they will be all the titles available for the Xbox catalog regardless of their presence in the Xbox Game Pass or will it be a list of cloud compatibility to which little by little more titles are added. Again, the movement similar to that of backward compatibility.
New gaming features for Windows 11
Another great novelty is the inclusion of new features focused on video games for users who play on PC and Windows 11. Microsoft’s latest operating system will offer optimizations for windowed games, designed to significantly improve latency, and Additional features like Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
This is currently limited functionality for members of the Windows Insider Program. Windows 11 will also include a new HDR calibration app that will allow gamers to improve the color accuracy and consistency of their HDR displays.
Xbox Cloud Gaming arrives in Argentina
Speaking of cloud gaming, one of the big Xbox announcements today is that Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) will launch in Argentina and New Zealand on June 9.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in Argentina and New Zealand will be able to play hundreds of games from the cloud on Android phones and tablets, iOS devices, Windows PCs, Xbox Series X |S and Xbox One consoles.
In addition, players in Argentina and New Zealand will also have access to Fortnite with Xbox Cloud Gaming for free and without the need for a subscription.