Microsoft outlines how xCloud would enable Xbox games to be streamed on smartphones

Streaming video games from the cloud is definitely the future of gaming, as tech giants like Google and Microsoft have announced their intentions to provide a comprehensive library of games available for streaming. Google announced its plan for Stadia, it's very own streaming service. Microsoft had announced plans for a game streaming service, called xCloud last year. What’s more is that both the companies promise to allow users to stream games across platforms, seamlessly. What it means is that games developed for the PC could be streamed into consoles like Xbox or PlayStation and even smartphones. The other way around is also deemed possible, i.e. games for any of the consoles can be streamed across any other device.

Gus Apostol, a program manager for the xCloud outlined how his team planned to enable cross-platform operability between video game titles. Since users of the xCloud would have to use smartphones with touch controls to play games that usually require an Xbox controller, Apostol’s team developed the Touch Adaption Kit tool and Microsoft’s cloud aware APIs. These tools will make sure that developers won’t have to spend time re-allocating control keys and control inputs for games developed for one platform, to another platform.

What it means is that game designers and developers can easily apply touch input controls for a game that is developed for the controller or keyboard controls.

These efforts are part of Microsoft’s goal to enable users to stream games developed for any platform, to any platform using just an internet connection.