If you’re an Android gamer looking for a game streaming service, you might be interested to learn that Microsoft’s Project xCloud has launched for Android. This comes in the form of Xbox Game Pass which is basically the Netflix for video games, and where unlike other streaming services like Google Stadia, gamers just need to pay a one-time subscription fee and will be able to access the games in the library.
For context, Stadia is a game streaming service similar to Xbox Game Pass, but the main difference is that Stadia is merely a platform for gamers to play games through, and that users will still need to purchase individual titles before playing them. Xbox Game Pass, however, will give users access to a library of more than 150 titles at launch, with more added further down the line.
The downside is that gamers won’t actually “own” any of these games, similar to how you don’t really own the songs on music or video streaming services, but if you’re not too fussed about that, it’s a great way to enjoy multiple titles at once at a fraction of the cost. A subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost $15 a month and as far as mobile platforms are concerned, will only be available on Android.
While Apple has made some changes to their App Store guidelines that in theory would allow for game streaming services to exist, it is rather strict and doesn’t seem particularly realistic, much to Microsoft’s chagrin.