Xbox Cloud Gaming titles will be available in Meta Quest Store. Microsoft and Meta announced the partnership during the Meta Connect 2022 event to bring the popular Xbox Cloud Gaming to the Quest VR platform.
Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft's cloud gaming service, was only available in consoles, tablets, phones, and PCs since its debut in 2019.
The partnership, according to Engadget, would mean that Microsoft's cloud gaming service will be available on Meta Quest 2 headsets and even on Meta Quest Pro.
Both Microsoft nor Meta did not announce the release date but promised to release more details of the project soon.
Xbox Cloud Gaming on Giant 2D Screen
Using Xbox Cloud Gaming requires a subscription to Game Pass Ultimate. It works on Apple, Android, Samsung smart TVs, Xbox consoles, and Windows devices.
Once available on Meta Quest 2, the console games can be played on a giant 2D screen. There will be no more VR versions.
Also, there will be no need for Quest 2 controllers. An option to link the Xbox controller to Quest 2 is available.
Playing 2D games using an Xbox controller on a giant screen on Quest is possible, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during Meta Connect 2022 event's keynote, said.
Play Xbox Cloud Gaming Like Never Before
A lot of amazing changes will take place. For instance, people will no longer play Halo Infinite in its old home as a VR-native game.
The cloud gaming service in Meta Quest will afford people the sense of being inside the game as it plays out on a big screen.
Any games in the massive Xbox Cloud Gaming library will be experienced in a new like never before.
Read Also : Microsoft Competes With Apple TV As It works on Launching a Cheaper Xbox Streaming Device
Growing in Cloud Gaming
This move by Microsoft could well be interpreted as its way to grow in cloud gaming at a time Google Stadia will shut down its operation soon.
The big G is shutting down its cloud gaming service, Stadia.
The service, however, will stay live while the company is giving refunds to clients who have purchased Stadia hardware and other accessories in Google Store. Google hopes the refund activities will be completed as the cloud gaming service will sign off on January 18, 2023.
Stadia's departure could be an opportunity for Microsoft to push further its cloud gaming service in partnership with Meta.
Microsoft appears to be aggressive in pursing the partnership with Meta. Both companies are working on better integration of many Microsoft platforms with the Quest. These platforms include Microsoft 365 suite and Microsoft Teams chat app.
Stadia Technology
While Stadia failed to gain enough traction among users, Google sees the need to apply Stadia's technology to some profitable Google services like YouTube, AR initiatives, and Google Play.
In his blog, Phil Harrison, Stadia's vice president, wrote that Stadia had not gained the following as expected by the company.
It could be said the demise of Stadia was written on the wall from the very beginning. Google is known for killing projects even for only a few years after the launch.
Stadia, a relatively low profile in the cloud gaming industry, was naturally the first to go.
