Microsoft Plans Revolutionary Changes for Xbox Cloud Gaming

Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming service is on track for major upgrades, according to recent reports. The tech giant aims to give gamers the chance to stream any game from their library, even if it's not part of the Game Pass subscription. This is just the starting point, as Microsoft looks to introduce direct-to-cloud controllers. These controllers would connect straight to the cloud servers, rather than through a console. This new technology was discovered by the developer of the Better xCloud app, but it's not yet ready for release. For now, Microsoft is focusing on improving the visual quality of their streams. The goal is to make it possible to play Xbox games without needing a console that can perform like the Xbox Series X|S. Higher bitrates for streams are expected to be rolled out soon. However, fixing ongoing latency issues will require more time and more powerful hardware. If Microsoft succeeds in these improvements, it could lead to a significant shift in the gaming industry. The need for a physical console might be eliminated entirely, which could affect the sales of traditional consoles. Both Microsoft and Sony have released digital-only consoles this generation, but removing the physical console altogether could change the game—though Google's Stadia showed that success isn't guaranteed.