14 DAY TRIAL // It goes without saying that Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming push is supposed to bring the cloud-powered gaming experience to all devices, though as the company itself learned the hard way, making this happen is much harder than it seems at first.
Last month, for example, Microsoft officially announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming for Windows 10 PC, iPhone, and iPad would go live as a limited beta for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, with the company then hoping to announce broad availability at a later time.
So Xbox Cloud Gaming is gradually expanding to more devices, though there’s one place where bringing the platform would be much more difficult: on rival consoles.
xCloud on a PlayStation is something that would essentially bring the Xbox experience to rivals’ own playground, and while such a thing sounds impossible at the first glance, it doesn’t necessarily mean the company doesn’t want to make it happen.
F2P without Xbox Gold
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer told Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney last summer that bringing xCloud to other consoles was still part of the long-term strategy, though we don’t know if the strategy has changed since then.
The email was revealed as part of the Apple vs. Epic legal battle, and it reveals that Microsoft was still committed to bringing xCloud to other consoles, including most likely Nintendo’s and Sony’s.
“I did want to just let you know that I have your point on xCloud on other consoles (haven’t given up), F2P outside of Gold (we will get there and I want to partner with you) and our Store entitlement ideas as items I’m going to review with you to make progress. I’m committed to that,” Spencer explained.
As you can see, the email also reveals that Microsoft was considering making F2P available without an Xbox Gold subscription, but again, keep in mind the conversation happened in August 2020.
In August of 2020 Phil Spencer said in an email to Tim Sweeney that Microsoft hasn't given up on putting xCloud on other consoles pic.twitter.com/wgUd8SjJYL — Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) May 4, 2021