Microsoft has officially launched Xbox Cloud Gaming in India and the long-awaited arrival means you can now stream Xbox’s blockbuster games straight to your phone, PC or smart TV without needing a console. The company announced on Tuesday that Cloud Gaming is live in India, following leaks and a rollout in dozens of countries. Now the service is built into Microsoft’s revamped Game Pass subscriptions (Essential, Premium and Ultimate), all of which include unlimited cloud streaming, inviting gamers to swap discs for data and join the fun!
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After months of speculation (and online leaks), Microsoft officially announced on Tuesday that Xbox Cloud Gaming is now live in India. Indian gamers can now stream Xbox’s library of titles without an Xbox console. This means that they will be able to play their favourite titles straight from the cloud. The service was previously only available in beta in select countries, but India has now joined the growing list of supported markets.
It is worth mentioning that Xbox Cloud Gaming in India is tied to Microsoft’s revamped Game Pass plans (Essential, Premium, Ultimate). Any player with one of these subscriptions will automatically get cloud streaming. Microsoft has even activated local cloud servers in Pune and Chennai, which should help reduce lag for Indian players.
For context, Game Pass Essential costs ₹499/month (50+ games) and includes cloud streaming, Premium is ₹699 and Ultimate ₹1,389 (with hundreds of games and day-one new releases). In other words, the benefits of console-free, cloud-based gaming are now officially available to Indian subscribers.
Basically, any Xbox Game Pass subscriber in India can stream games from the cloud. Cloud streaming is included in all the new Game Pass plans (Essential, Premium, Ultimate), so players on these tiers have it automatically. Even PC Game Pass subscribers can join in, meaning both PC gamers and console fans can tap into Xbox Cloud Gaming.
You also don’t need an Xbox console at all. All you need is the Xbox app on a compatible device. These include Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android phones/tablets, Samsung or LG smart TVs and even Amazon Fire TV devices. Then, you’ll need a fast internet connection (roughly 20 Mbps or higher) and a game controller to dive in your favourite virtual worlds.
Open the Xbox app on your device and browse the cloud-enabled game library. Microsoft even notes that you can stream games you already own via the cloud. When you find a game, tap or click Play; the title will launch on Microsoft’s servers and stream the gameplay to your screen. You won’t need to download anything.
However, do make sure that you have a good internet connection (20 Mbps or higher) and a compatible controller. With those in hand, most games will launch in seconds. It really is like having an Xbox in the cloud: power on your device, pick a game, and play.
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