Hands on: Xbox Cloud Gaming for the web brings Xbox gaming to your browser
PCWorld|June 2021
Stick to slower, story-driven games for the best experience.
MARK HACHMAN
Hands on: Xbox Cloud Gaming for the web brings Xbox gaming to your browser

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.

HOW WELL XBOX CLOUD GAMING WORKS ON THE WEB

This story is from the June 2021 edition of PCWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2021 edition of PCWorld.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PCWORLDView All
5 Compelling Reasons to Buy a Windows Laptop Instead of a MacBook
PCWorld

5 Compelling Reasons to Buy a Windows Laptop Instead of a MacBook

MacBooks are powerful and chic. That's also true of many Window Notebooks - And they have other advantages that MacBook can't counter.

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2023
5 tips to make Gmail more secure
PCWorld

5 tips to make Gmail more secure

Bank statements, contracts, tickets, love letters…most things in this world can be sent via email, and protecting your email is extremely important.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
TunnelBear VPN: It's just right for beginners
PCWorld

TunnelBear VPN: It's just right for beginners

Come for the bear puns, stay for the security.

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2023
Contour SliderMouse Pro: This mouse saves your hands
PCWorld

Contour SliderMouse Pro: This mouse saves your hands

Unusual ergonomic mouse is here to save your hands

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2023
Woohoo! You can get a Raspberry Pi again
PCWorld

Woohoo! You can get a Raspberry Pi again

Availability hasn't completely recovered, but it's looking much better already.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
Microsoft begins pulling the plug on Cortana
PCWorld

Microsoft begins pulling the plug on Cortana

Cortana probably won't live for much longer.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
Norton's free Al-powered Genie tool helps you spot online scams
PCWorld

Norton's free Al-powered Genie tool helps you spot online scams

Not sure if the message, email, link or social media post you've received is a scam? The Al-powered Norton Genie is designed to help.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
Google now alerts you if your contact info appears online
PCWorld

Google now alerts you if your contact info appears online

Better decades late than never.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
Microsoft 365 makeover: Office docs are getting new default look
PCWorld

Microsoft 365 makeover: Office docs are getting new default look

Significant changes are coming to your Office documents with Microsoft 365's new default theme.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
Smart Answers: GenAl tool makes it easier to find the info you need on PCWorld
PCWorld

Smart Answers: GenAl tool makes it easier to find the info you need on PCWorld

Smart Answers puts you in the driving seat for content discovery.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2023