We ve already played Halo with Xbox on iPhone and iPad. Microsoft is testing xCloud on iOS

Microsoft has begun the next stage of testing its online streaming service for Xbox games running on the server. I checked the beta version of the application for iOS and iPadOS, and during the xCloud tests on iPhone and iPad, I even managed to forget for a moment that I play in the cloud.

Microsoft already offers a service called "Netflix for games". The Xbox Game Pass, because we are talking about it, allows you to enjoy a lot of titles as part of a flat-rate subscription on consoles and personal computers. In the library you can find both Microsoft Studios productions, including new ones, and such from other studios. And they are not all turkeys at all.

Recently, the rotating library hit such hits as The Witcher 3: Dziki Gon and Grand Theft Auto 5. The problem is that, like the Xbox Game Pass in terms of the business model - sharing subscription content of own and from partners - actually resembles Netflix, so games from the subscription you have to download and install in the device's memory anyway.

Only another service called xCloud will allow streaming games from the Xbox console running on the server.

For now, Microsoft has just started testing this solution, and first of all the tests began on the Android platform. xCloud at the moment in addition is not officially available in Poland and it is not known when it will come to us - it would require a local server room and appropriate infrastructure, and possibly also cooperation with local Internet providers.

It is widely known that, for example, such a Netflix cooperates with operators and provides them with their boxes with discs full of movies and series so that they can be connected at their central offices. In this way, it tries to minimize delays in streaming, and we are talking about video materials that can be buffered. In video games that are launched on the server, this hack is not possible.

Microsoft has nevertheless released the xCloud test version, which has now hit the iPhone and iPad.

Preview version of xCloud is targeted at people interested in testing in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and - which is not surprising - given the tightening ties between Microsoft and Samsung - in South Korea. Despite this, I was able to launch the test version of the service on iPhone and iPad in our country.

It is true that the servers located (most likely) in Great Britain is not close, but at least during the fun you do not need to use a VPN, which could cause additional delays. Even so, I expected lag to make gameplay impossible, but after establishing the connection and picking it up, it was a pleasant surprise.

As part of xCloud testing, I launched the Halo : Master Chief Collection streaming trial.

The service will ultimately allow you to run on the server side all games assigned to your Microsoft account - it will probably also be free for subscribers of Xbox Game Pass - but due to the "Apple guidelines" the company from Redmond during xCloud testing could provide only one title, and more specifically a pack of games from the Halo series, and I checked one campaign and a multiplayer mode.

Connecting it to an iPhone and logging in to a mobile device logged me out of the Xbox, and during the game in xCloud I gained achievements on my Microsoft account. I also started the application on the iPad, and the progress was synchronized automatically. While playing with other players, to my surprise, I even managed to get some frags.

xCloud is already making such a good impression that during the game I could not think about playing in the cloud.

Of course, as soon as I forgot that the game is not running locally, but on the server, the icon of the flashing antenna in the upper right corner reminded me of that. Gameplay is possible, but it's far from comfortable. From time to time, the quality of graphic design drops dramatically, and it happens that the fun is suspended for a moment until the connection stabilizes.

Of course, I inform about this from the chronicle duty, because it should be emphasized that Microsoft is testing in four countries in the world, and ours is not on the list. Taking this into account, it is not bad - especially since ... now xCloud works better than GeForce Now officially available in Poland , which I ran on laptops with Windows and macOS within the same Wi-Fi network.

It is a pity that as part of xCloud tests on iOS and iPadOS, it is impossible to test local game streaming.

Microsoft is currently working on two ways of streaming games as part of the xCloud project. The first game I've played since yesterday is running games on the server. The second, which can be tested only on Android devices, assumes streaming to mobile equipment of the titles launched on the home Xbox. And basically I am waiting more for this second novelty.

It will be years before the local infrastructure allows for smooth gameplay. I also don't believe that 5G will help, because streaming would finish the data packets. Although it is possible that Microsoft is already thinking of xCloud server farm in our country, but I miss the option of running the game natively from my Xbox on another device, for example, the bride uses the TV.

The more that the competition has not slept in recent years.

Sony offers PlayStation 4 owners two game streaming services. It is true that PlayStation Now, i.e. the service of transferring games from the cloud to consoles and PCs is still not available in Poland, but I have been using the Remote Play service for years. It allows you to play the title running on the home console on other equipment - both in the local network and via the Internet.

Remote Play can be launched today on Apple mobile devices, on computers with Windows and macOS, on Sony smartphones and tablets with Android and on the portable console PlayStation Vita. In the case of Microsoft, to achieve a similar effect, you need to use unofficial tools such as OneCast. xCloud can finally change that.

We've already played Halo with Xbox on iPhone and iPad. Microsoft is testing xCloud on iOS