Cloud support will launch for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate next month

Microsoft will launch its cloud gaming service, Project xCloud, in 22 markets on September 15, it’s announced.

Initially, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to play around 100 games via Android phones and tablets, Microsoft said on Tuesday, including Destiny 2, Gears 5 and Minecraft Dungeons.

Priced at $14.99/£10.99, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines Xbox Live Gold membership with Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.

Going forward, Microsoft said it intends to provide day-one access to new titles from Xbox Game Studios via the cloud.

The 22 markets at launch include Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“Our vision for Project xCloud, Microsoft’s cloud gaming technology, is to give you the opportunity to play the games you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want,” wrote xCloud boss Kareem Choudhry on Xbox.com.

“All the experiences you expect on Xbox and your gaming profile travel with you on mobile, including your friends list, achievements, controller settings, and saved game progress,” he added.

“Cloud gaming also unlocks new couch co-op experiences with traditional online games. Sail off to adventure in Sea of Thieves on your tablet while a friend plays alongside you on console, right in the same room.

“Cloud gaming removes the need to wait until you can access your console in order to play your favorite games: Just pick up your phone or tablet and play the games you want, any time you want.”

xCloud has been available in closed preview form for around a year, including support for iOS devices. Microsoft is also reportedly working on a feature that will also allow users to stream PC games across xCloud.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in April that xCloud had hundreds of thousands of users in its preview form.

Microsoft is reportedly planning to upgrade its xCloud servers to Xbox Series X hardware in 2021.