Microsoft appears poised to introduce a significant update to Xbox Cloud Gaming that could let players stream titles they own, even if they’re not part of the Game Pass library. Tech journalist Tom Warren implied this news in a tweet posting what looks like Cloud Gaming pages for High on Life and Dying Light 2. It stated on these pages that the games can be streamed if purchased, assuming you have an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Microsoft subsequently confirmed the news, revealing that select non-Game Pass titles will also support streaming.
Xbox Is Getting A Game-Changing New Streaming Feature Soon, It Seems
This could represent the rollout of a feature known as “Project Lapland,” which is said to allow owners of games to stream them. Warren also previously indicated that this may be available in November 2024, which would line up with a reported testing phase for Xbox Insiders ahead of a wider rollout. Previously streaming only worked on games from the Game Pass library but this new feature will broaden access by quite a bit.
Notably, the timing of November also matches with another Xbox ecosystem update: being able to buy Xbox games directly through the Android Xbox app. It will help streamline the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience even further, as this functionality lets you purchase a game on your phone and instantly stream it within seconds. Everything is in line with a larger vision Microsoft has for the Xbox platform and what happens past consoles.
The Xbox ecosystem has expanded, with device innovations like Game Pass and cloud streaming focusing on smartphones, PCs, and yes even TVs as extensions of the system. Earlier this month, Microsoft continued to drive home this message with its new “This Is An Xbox” ad campaign (broken down here) which argues that gaming is about more than any one piece of hardware. In addition to Project Lapland, which will apparently be a handheld gaming device for Xbox Game Streaming, Microsoft is also building a new generation of Xbox console hardware focused on cloud-first experiences.
FAQs
Can I stream games I don’t own on Xbox?
No, currently, only games you own and have purchased can be streamed, and you’ll need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access this feature.
When will the new Xbox streaming feature be available?
The feature is expected to start testing with Xbox Insiders in November 2024 before being rolled out to all users later on.
