Microsoft has rolled out a new update for the PC Xbox app, allowing Windows 10 PC owners to stream console games from either your Xbox console or through Xbox Cloud Gaming (aka xCloud).
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in 22 countries can now use the Xbox app on Windows 10 to access xCloud. A new "Cloud Gaming" section will appear by clicking on the Game Pass tab, showcasing all the titles that support Xbox Cloud Gaming. Previously, Windows 10 PC owners had to access Xbox Cloud Gaming by going to Xbox's website through a browser, signing in, and playing the cloud gaming beta.
The new update also allows you to stream games from your Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One onto your Windows 10 PC via Xbox remote play. This is the first time Microsoft has enabled Xbox remote play on Windows 10 PC for owners of either Xbox Series console. Microsoft also made some changes to remote play, such as the option to stream games at 1080 up to 60 frames per second and the ability to select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games.
The update to the Windows 10 Xbox app comes as no surprise from Microsoft as the company moves more and more in the direction of letting users play Xbox games on almost any device. In late August, during Gamescom 2021, the company announced that the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One are getting cloud gaming this holiday season. Microsoft is also planning to extend the Xbox One's lifespan by bringing Series X/S exclusives to the older hardware through the cloud.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.