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Microsoft is expanding its Xbox Cloud Gaming technology to Xbox Game Pass Core or Standard subscribers, dropping the requirement for the highest tier Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for access to cloud games. As part of an Xbox Insider test, Microsoft is also providing access to some PC games for Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers.
Microsoft currently restricts access to Xbox Cloud Gaming to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to get cloud access, meaning you have to pay $19.99 a month to get access to xCloud. Xbox Insiders can now start testing the ability to stream cloud games included with Game Pass Core and Standard subscriptions.
“As part of this Insider experience, Xbox Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers will be able to stream cloud playable games included with their subscription or select cloud playable games they own,” explains the Xbox Insider team.
The expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming to more Game Pass tiers comes just a week after Microsoft hinted at “more affordable” and accessible ways to access Xbox cloud games. Microsoft was also previously working on a separate “dedicated” version of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft has also hinted in the past that there could even eventually be a free version Xbox Cloud Gaming in exchange for ads.
Microsoft is also expanding PC game access to Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers, too. “As part of testing, 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,” says Microsoft.
If you want to try out Xbox Cloud Gaming and PC games on Game Pass Core or Standard, you can join Microsoft’s Xbox Insiders program and then visit xbox.com/play to access cloud games or the Xbox app on Windows for the additional PC titles.