You don't need Xbox to play games in India anymore
What's the story
Microsoft has officially launched its game streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, in India. The announcement comes after a period of beta testing in select countries. The service is part of Microsoft's revamped Xbox Game Pass subscription, which now includes three tiers - Essential, Premium and Ultimate. Each tier offers different levels of access to a wide range of games.
Service details
How to access Xbox Cloud Gaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming is a game-changer for players as it allows them to stream popular Xbox titles directly on their devices. This means you don't need a console anymore. The service can be accessed by any subscriber of the Xbox Game Pass in India, including those on PC Game Pass. All you need is the Xbox app on your device and an internet connection with a minimum speed of 20Mbps for best performance.
Subscription tiers
A look at the revamped Xbox Game Pass subscription
The Essential plan of the revamped Xbox Game Pass subscription costs ₹499 per month and gives access to over 50 games. The Premium plan, priced at ₹699, expands the library to hundreds of titles. The Ultimate plan, which costs ₹1,389 per month, provides full access to Xbox's massive library with unlimited cloud streaming and includes new releases on launch day.
Access guide
How to get started with cloud gaming?
To access Xbox Cloud Gaming, users just have to download the Xbox app and sign in with their Microsoft account. After that, they can start browsing through the cloud-enabled game library. Since these games are streamed from Microsoft's servers, there's no need for downloading or installing them; players can start gaming instantly.
Server impact
Local cloud servers in Pune and Chennai
To ensure a lag-free experience, the company has set up local cloud servers in Pune and Chennai. These are tipped to significantly improve streaming quality and response times for Indian players. By removing the barrier of expensive hardware, Microsoft wants to bring console-level gaming to a wider audience in India.