Upgraded Xbox Cloud Gaming Delivers Enhanced Performance
Fans have started sharing their first hands-on impressions of the upgraded Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Videos reveal demanding open-world games, such as The Witcher 3, streaming smoothly at 1440p resolution and 60 frames per second.
This enhanced streaming is available exclusively through the pricier Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, offering performance comparable to some GeForce Now plans. Despite recent criticism over Xbox Game Pass price hikes, the improved quality may encourage gamers to retain their subscriptions.
Performance Improvements and Subscription Tiers
With the Xbox Cloud Gaming beta phase concluded, certain titles now run at higher resolutions and frame rates. Jez Corden from Windows Central highlighted how Xbox Cloud Gaming could become a strong competitor to Nvidia GeForce Now.
- Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access 1440p graphics.
- Essential and Premium plans offer cloud gaming at lower quality with longer load times.
- The highest subscription tier costs $29.99 per month.
Hands-On Testing on ROG Xbox Ally
In a video by Windows Central, Corden tested various Xbox Cloud Gaming titles on the ROG Xbox Ally handheld device. He noted The Witcher 3 running at 2560 x 1440 resolution with a steady 60 fps, describing the experience as a "night and day" improvement over past streaming sessions.
“Latency was hard to detect, making the gameplay feel impressively smooth.”
However, the number of games that currently support this enhanced performance remains limited.
Author’s Summary
The upgraded Xbox Cloud Gaming service offers significantly improved streaming quality, making high-resolution, smooth gameplay accessible for Ultimate subscribers despite a limited game selection.