Microsoft unveils strategy to transform any TV into a cloud gaming console: what modifications are required?
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Microsoft’s cloud gaming service
Xbox Cloud Gaming is a well-known cloud gaming service, although it is not renowned for offering the best graphics quality or lowest latency. Recently, during the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the service was a topic of discussion, particularly by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK. Microsoft, however, has ambitious plans to enhance its performance, crucial for expanding Game Pass to more devices, including TVs.
The importance of bitrate in the gaming experience
One of the main challenges faced by Xbox Cloud Gaming is its limitation in resolution and bitrate. Currently, the service provides games in FullHD at 60 FPS with a bitrate ranging from 10 to 15 Mbps. While suitable for mobile or portable devices, this falls short when playing on 4K TVs, leading to an unsatisfactory experience, especially on larger screens where low resolution and limited bitrate result in poor image quality.
Microsoft’s plans to improve service quality
Sources at Microsoft have disclosed to The Verge that the company is actively working on enhancing the bitrate of Xbox Cloud Gaming. This is a critical step for the service to compete with other cloud gaming platforms such as NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, which already supports 4K resolution, 120 FPS, and a maximum bitrate of 75 Mbps. Despite offering superior quality, GeForce Now comes at a higher cost, a balance that Microsoft aims to achieve with its more accessible service.
Microsoft’s objective is clear: to expand Game Pass and Cloud Gaming accessibility, enabling users to play on a variety of devices, from consoles and PCs to TVs and mobile phones. The company has already introduced apps for Fire TV Stick and Meta Quest glasses, underscoring its commitment to broadening access to its gaming ecosystem.
