Hands on: Xbox Cloud Gaming for the web brings Xbox gaming to your browser

Stick to slower, story-driven games for the best experience.

- MARK HACHMAN

If you’ve just about given up on finding a GPU to build yourself a gaming PC, take heart: We’ve tried Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming for the web, and it’s not half bad. It is available in a limited beta for both the web as well as the Apple iPhone and iPad. (Xbox cloud access on the latter platforms has been hamstrung by Apple’s draconian control of its App Store [go. pcworld.com/drac].) In any event, both Windows PCs and Macs now have access to playing Xbox games on Microsoft’s cloud via the web.

There are two key ways in which Xbox cloud gaming is superior. First, you don’t actually need a physical Xbox, especially one of the new Xbox Series S or X PCs, which are difficult if not impossible to find. Second, you don’t need to download and install any games, saving you time (and possibly money, if your internet plan is limited by bandwidth or a data cap [go.pcworld.com/cpdt]).

Previously, there were only two ways to play Xbox cloud games: on an Android tablet or phone (go.pcworld.com/atab), and on a Chromebook (go.pcworld.com/ cr0m). The latter offered the most PC-like experience, with a keyboard and the ability to connect either a tethered or wireless Xbox controller. Now, however, users can go to the Xbox cloud gaming site (go.pcworld.com/ xgms), log in, and start playing. You’ll need to apply for a beta invitation to do so, before the site opens up to more general gameplay later this year. You’ll also need to be subscribed to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.