You no longer need Game Pass Ultimate to access Xbox Cloud Gaming

Microsoft has been barking up the cloud streaming tree for quite some time, with the company’s xCloud service seeing quite a few different iterations and changes over the years. Previously only available to GP Ultimate members, all Game Pass subscribers can now enjoy access to Microsoft’s xCloud streaming service.

Making the announcement on the Xbox Wire blog, the ‘Xbox Insider Team’ unveiled its new xCloud plans, writing: “Starting today, Xbox Insiders are invited to try out new updates in Xbox Game Pass that make it easier to stream and play across more devices.”

Previously exclusive to the Ultimate tier, those with Xbox Game Pass Core / Standard subscriptions will now “be able to stream cloud playable games included with their subscription or select cloud playable games they own.”

In addition, Microsoft announced that “Xbox Insiders subscribed to Game Pass Core or Standard will for the first time gain access to PC versions of select titles, giving you even more flexibility and the choice to play on a PC or Windows handheld.”

As mentioned by Microsoft, this change is currently only available to those using Xbox’s Insider program – though it will of course come to the main branch eventually.

While far from the most stable game streaming experience, it is still welcome to see those with the lower-tiered Game Pass subscriptions are now getting additional benefits for ‘free’. It will be interesting to see whether Ultimate members will see their own Game Pass changes in due time as a result.

KitGuru says: What are your thoughts on cloud streaming? Is xCloud usable with your internet? Do you notice the latency when streaming games? Let us know down below.

Become a Patron!