Xbox Game Pass Streaming Receives Huge Update, Xbox App Both Gains & Loses Major Features
Xbox Game Pass subscribers now have more options when playing their games. And thanks to an update to the Xbox mobile app, it'll be easier than ever to manage your library, but it comes at the cost of other important features. Xbox's strategy has long been to make playing its games as easy as possible across a variety of devices, and these updates further that goal.
Per Xbox Wire, starting today, April 16, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream a selection of games they own on their console, a feature that was previously reserved for those included in the Game Pass library. This functionality comes to both Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One consoles. This will conceivably help users manage their console storage, as certain games they own will no longer have to be downloaded to be played.
The other major news from Xbox Wire is a significant update to the Xbox mobile app on iOS and Android, which allows games to be bought, Game Pass subscribed to, and Perks redeemed on your phone. However, the Xbox mobile app is losing its remote play features, which must now be accessed through a supported device's browser. According to Xbox Wire, purchasing games through the app is "one of the most requested features from the Xbox community."
You Can Now Stream Non-Game Pass Games To Your Xbox
Ultimate Subscription Still Required
Xbox's Cloud Gaming beta has long been a touted feature of Game Pass Ultimate, but until now has only worked with games that are also downloadable through the service itself. In other words, if a game wasn't on Game Pass, it couldn't be streamed with an Ultimate subscription. That is no longer the case, and the full list of supported games provided by Xbox is quite impressive. It's important to remember, however, that this feature is currently only available through an Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One console – you cannot stream purchased games to any other device.
The compatible games include the smash hit Assassin's Creed Shadows, indie darling Animal Well, and 2023 Game of the YearBaldur's Gate 3, among many others. The number of supported games will continue to grow, according to Xbox Wire. One of the more enticing use cases for streaming on console is when first purchasing a new game; you can conceivably buy a game that supports Cloud Gaming and play it instantly on your Xbox, without having to download it yet.
Xbox App Is Losing Remote Play Features, But It Makes Perfect Sense
Buying Games Via The App Was A Much-Needed Feature Too
Buying games and managing your Game Pass subscription via the official Xbox app are welcome additions to its functionality, but the removal of remote play in the app is a bit odd at first, but it does make sense in the context of Xbox's wider strategy. You will no longer be able to stream games from your console to the Xbox app itself – you must do it through your device's browser.
Remote play has three requirements: an internet connection of 10 Mbps or higher, and Xbox profile, and a Series X/S or One console with remote play enabled.
This may be a mild inconvenience for those used to using remote play through the app, but it essentially unifies how remote play works across devices. Instead of different devices having unique means of using remote play, all you have to do is go to xbox.com/remoteplay via the built-in browser. It seems odd to deliberately take functionality away from the app, but it's an understandable decision considering Xbox wants to make it as easy as possible to play on a wide variety of devices.
Sources: Xbox Wire, Xbox (1, 2)
- Brand
- Xbox
- Original Release Date
- November 10, 2020
- Hardware Versions
- Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Series S
- Original MSRP (USD)
- Series X priced at US$499 and the Series S priced at US$299
- Weight
- 9.8 lb
