NEWS  Games  April 11, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

In a bid to invigorate its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, Microsoft has recently unveiled a slew of new preview features tailored for Xbox Insiders. This move marks a significant step forward in enhancing the overall gaming experience for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

After a period of dormancy, Microsoft has shifted its focus towards enriching the Xbox Cloud Gaming service, a platform that enables subscribers to play a vast library of games via the cloud. A couple of weeks ago, the tech giant rolled out support for mouse and keyboard gameplay on Edge and Chrome browsers, as well as the Xbox app for Windows PCs, much to the delight of avid gamers.

Building upon this momentum, Microsoft has now introduced an updated user interface and a host of new social features for Xbox Insiders enrolled in the Alpha, Alpha Skip-Ahead, and Beta rings, along with PC Gaming Insiders utilizing the Xbox App and Game Bar for Windows. This strategic rollout aims to provide users with a seamless and immersive gaming environment across various platforms.

The refreshed interface encompasses an array of functionalities, including the ability to find and manage friends, initiate parties independent of gaming sessions, maintain continuous party chats between games (excluding Smart TVs), exchange messages, peruse user profiles, track achievements, and manage notifications. Additionally, Xbox Insiders accessing cloud games via xbox.com/play will benefit from a controller icon within the guide, streamlining the controller connection process for browser-based gaming sessions.

To access these cutting-edge features, Xbox Insiders utilizing supported browsers or the Xbox app for Smart TVs and Meta Quest Headsets must navigate to the xbox.com/play website, click on their profile picture, access Settings, and enable the "Preview features" option. This straightforward process ensures seamless integration of the latest enhancements into the gaming experience.

Microsoft has underscored its commitment to democratizing access to these advancements by affirming that the features currently undergoing testing by Insiders will be gradually rolled out to all Xbox Cloud Gaming users in the coming months. This proactive approach signals a departure from the erstwhile neglect of the cloud service, as Microsoft endeavors to stay at the forefront of innovation in the gaming industry.

 IMAGES CREDITS: MICROSOFT / XBOX