Years ago, "Xbox" referred only to Microsoft's traditional game consoles, which had exclusive games and a closed ecosystem. However, the company has a much different outlook on gaming today, and the Xbox brand now also includes PC games and, as of more recently, cloud gaming. A very convenient way to play Xbox Game Pass titles, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows anyone with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to stream games directly to their devices, with no download or updates required, and the program is only getting bigger. We'll give you the rundown on what you need to know about Xbox Cloud Gaming, including how it's evolving in the future.

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What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Unlike some other game-streaming services like PlayStation Now and Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming isn't actually a separate paid program from Microsoft. Instead, it's a feature included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving you access to a selection of games alongside the console and PC titles you're already given access to with your subscription fee.