Microsoft plans on launching the company's game-streaming service, xCloud, some time next year, when it'll also be available over PCs.
For the past month, Microsoft has been letting gamers test out xCloud on Android smartphones and tablets as part of an ongoing public preview. But the company hasn't forgotten about PCs. "You want more ways to play. And we are delighted to announce in 2020 we will bring Project xCloud to Windows 10 PCs," said xCloud general manager Catherine Gluckstein at the Inside Xbox event in the UK.
"And of course, we won't stop there. We are working with a ton of partners to bring Project xCloud to every device where you want to play," she added.
In addition, when xCloud launches it will support a variety of third-party Bluetooth controllers, along with the official Xbox One wireless controlllers. Gluckstein named the Razer Junglecat and the Sony Dualshock 4 gamepads as examples.
Another notable announcement was how Microsoft will let you stream games from xCloud that you already own. So they'll be no need to buy a game again if you bought a copy for your Xbox. Instead, the company is teasing that you'll be able to continue to play it over your xCloud-enabled smartphone or tablet.
On top of all this, xCloud will be added to the Xbox Game Pass as a new perk. "Gamers will be free to discover, choose, and play their favorite games anywhere and everywhere," the company said in the announcement.
Microsoft refrained from getting specific on the launch date. But the company first plans on extending the ongoing public preview into 2020 by making it available in additional markets such as Canada, Japan and more of Europe.
To entice more gamers to test out the service, Microsoft announced that the xCloud preview will now let you stream and play 50 different Xbox games, including Devil May Cry 5 and Tekken 7.
The xCloud preview is currently available to gamers in US, UK and South Korea. Anyone can sign up to participate, but you'll have to wait for email invite from Microsoft. To stream the games, you'll need an internet connection that supports a 10Mbps or higher download speed, along with a compatible Xbox wireless controller.
To operate xCloud, Microsoft has been installing custom Xbox units at the company's data centers, which can then stream the gaming experience to your internet-connected device. When the service officially launches, xCloud will compete against Google's rival game-streaming offering Stadia, which is launching next week.