Skip to content

Upcoming enhancements for Xbox Cloud Gaming: A glimpse into potential advancements that could shape the cloud gaming landscape in the upcoming months and years.

Microsoft is showing strong support for Xbox consoles made by third-party OEMs and its own in-house Xbox hardware, but the question remains about hardware based in the cloud.

Enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming Experience on the Horizon: Anticipated Advancements for Cloud Gamers in...
Enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming Experience on the Horizon: Anticipated Advancements for Cloud Gamers in the Coming Months and Years 🌞

Upcoming enhancements for Xbox Cloud Gaming: A glimpse into potential advancements that could shape the cloud gaming landscape in the upcoming months and years.

Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming service is poised for significant improvements, aiming to bridge the gap between cloud and local hardware gaming experiences.

Latency, a critical factor for competitive and responsive gaming, is under active development. Network slicing in partnership with telecom operators is already offering guaranteed latency below 30 ms during peak sessions in some regions, particularly Europe and Asia-Pacific, leveraging 5G and dedicated network resources. Adaptive bitrate technology is being optimised further to minimise input lag and enhance real-time responsiveness.

Bitrate and bandwidth efficiency are also set to receive a boost. Generative AI-driven compression techniques, such as convolutional auto-encoders, are being tested to slash bandwidth usage by up to 40% compared to traditional H.264 encoding at the same resolution. This innovation not only stabilises sessions on cellular networks but also reduces data consumption for users on capped plans, enabling longer play sessions and more consistent performance.

Resolution and frame rate are expected to see enhancements as well. While the current streaming quality caps at 1080p and 60 frames per second for most users, reports suggest that Microsoft is preparing to upgrade Xbox Cloud Gaming with higher resolutions and frame rates, aiming to provide an experience closer to that of local console or PC gaming.

The subscription model for Xbox Cloud Gaming may also undergo changes. A key anticipated change is the possible decoupling of Xbox Cloud Gaming from the Game Pass Ultimate subscription, making it available as a standalone service or under new subscription tiers. This aligns with a broader trend toward flexible access models and could open the service to a wider audience. Additionally, some telecom providers are bundling cloud gaming tiers within premium 5G contracts, offering multi-screen libraries and unlimited data, which may serve as alternative access routes beyond Microsoft's direct subscriptions.

The next phase of Xbox Cloud Gaming is expected to bring noticeable improvements in latency, visual quality, and efficiency, powered by both Microsoft’s internal upgrades and partnerships with telecom providers. These developments aim to make cloud gaming a viable alternative to traditional gaming hardware for an even broader audience.

[1] [2] [4] Refer to the summary table for detailed notes on each area of improvement.

  1. Microsoft's Xbox Series X, while a local hardware solution for gaming, may find itself in closer competition with Xbox Cloud Gaming due to forthcoming enhancements in cloud gaming services.
  2. With adaptive bitrate technology being optimized, devices like smartphones and even PCs using Windows operating system can anticipate reduced input lag and improved real-time responsiveness in gaming via the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
  3. In light of the advancements in generative AI-driven compression techniques and bitrate efficiency, users on cellular networks and those with capped data plans may experience longer, more consistent play sessions on their smartphones and computers.
  4. The resolution and frame rate of Xbox Cloud Gaming are expected to be upgraded, potentially delivering gaming experiences that rival those of local console or PC gaming for users.
  5. While Game Pass Ultimate remains the primary subscription model for Xbox Cloud Gaming, it is possible that Microsoft will introduce standalone subscription tiers or make the service available separately, reaching a broader audience and potentially partnering with telecom providers to offer bundled cloud gaming tiers within 5G contracts.

Read also:

    Latest