Xbox Cloud Gaming can now also stream games outside the subscription

Microsoft is expanding the streaming function of its Game Pass Ultimate games subscription: In future, you will also be able to play some selected titles that you own on the Xbox platform outside of the subscription. Previously, it was only possible to stream games that were part of the subscription itself.

For users of Game Pass Ultimate, the new feature is an important advantage, especially as 50 games are on the list of streamable titles right from the start: These include blockbuster productions such as "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora", "Baldur's Gate 3" and "Cyberpunk 2077", as well as indie games such as "Balatro" and "Dredge". Microsoft has published the entire list on its website.

Game Pass Ultimate is a prerequisite

In order to stream the listed games, you must have an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription for 18 euros per month. In addition, streaming the titles from your own collection only works with the digital versions –, i.e. not with disc versions of the games.

If you can overcome these hurdles, you at least have a fairly free choice of end devices. Xbox cloud gaming works directly on Samsung TVs, but also on Fire TVs, smartphones, tablets and in the browser. The titles can even be streamed to the Meta Quest VR glasses. Microsoft's cloud gaming not only works with Xbox controllers, but also with the Dualsense and Dualshock Playstation gamepads. On the PC, you can play with a mouse and keyboard.

In addition to Microsoft, competitor Sony has also announced streaming news: the Playstation Portal handheld console can now also stream titles from the Sony cloud. Until now, the gadget only worked in conjunction with its own Playstation, which had to be switched on as a streaming server. Playstation Portal cannot play local games.

(dahe)