Xbox X019: Project xCloud game streaming updates, new games and more
The big announcements so far from Microsoft’s annual gaming expo
Microsoft has announced a raft of updates to its subscription services and a host of new exclusive Xbox titles at its X019 trade show.
The annual event, which kicked off yesterday evening at the Copper Box Arena in London, has so far seen Microsoft confirm more details about its Project xCloud video game streaming service, as well as updates to the ever-growing Xbox Game Pass subscription scheme.
A number of game announcements were made, too, including a new title from Banjo-Kazooie developer Rare and the inclusion of Halo: Reach in the all-encompassing Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
X019 runs until 16 November and more gaming news is expected over the coming days. In the meantime, here are all the big reveals so far:
Project xCloud gets a major update
Arguably the biggest announcement yesterday was that Project xCloud, Microsoft’s answer to Google Stadia, will be getting 50 new titles ahead of its release next year.
The service, currently available to a select few through Microsoft’s Preview programme, launched in October with five titles that could be streamed over a Wi-Fi connection to a player’s Android smartphone. The service doesn’t require users to own a console or any of the games bundled into the subscription plan.
But in a bid to get a leg up on Google Stadia, which officially launches on 19 November with 44 games, Microsoft has upped xCloud’s title count tenfold, The Verge reports. The list now includes hit titles such as Madden NFL 20, Devil May Cry 5, Tekken 7, and Forza Horizon 4.
Microsoft also confirmed that the pre-release version of xCloud will expand to Windows 10 users next year, while implying that Apple’s iPhones may support the service further down the line, according to Metro.
Those who are invited to take part in the Project xCloud preview can access the games for free for the time being, though Microsoft will charge a monthly fee for the service – which has yet to be determined – when the service eventually goes live.
Xbox Game Pass also gets 50 new titles
Xbox Game Pass, the subscription service that allows players to access a vast library of games for a monthly fee, will soon be boosted by an additional 50 titles, too.
As reported by GamesRadar, Microsoft will be adding “some high-profile Japanese games” to the service, including a number of titles from the Final Fantasy and Yakuza titles.
Tekken 7 will also join the roster, as will Rage 2 and Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, bringing the service’s game count to more than 200 titles.
Unlike Project xCloud, an Xbox console or Windows 10 PC is required to take advantage of the service – which starts at £7.99 per month, with the first three months costing just £1.
More first-party games in the works
Microsoft has struggled to keep up with the amount of high quality first-party games launched by its rivals Sony and Nintendo. To bring itself back into contention, the company is pushing to bring more exclusive titles to its console and PC.
Among the new titles revealed at X019 were Tell Me Why. Developed by Life is Strange creator Dontnod Entertainment, Tell Me Why is a “narrative adventure” game that features “the first playable video game hero from a major studio and publisher who is also transgender”, notes TechRadar.
Rare, meanwhile, unveiled Everwild. Little is known about the game, but the trailer suggests it will feature a “band of adventurers” and “some very cute” fictional animals, says PC Gamer.
Microsoft has also confirmed that Halo: Reach will be joining The Master Chief Collection on 3 December, Eurogamer reports. It’s the final major game in the Halo series to join the anthology, and will be available on both Xbox One and PC.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The clown car cabinet
Opinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
By Mark Gimein Published
-
Ed Park's 6 favorite works about self reflection and human connection
Feature The Pulitzer Prize finalist recommends works by Jason Rekulak, Gillian Linden, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic homes in Columbus, Ohio
Feature Featuring a 1915 redbrick Victorian in German Village and a modern farmhouse in Woodland Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
What was Gamergate – and why are we still talking about it?
The Explainer Ten years on, the impact of the misogyny-fuelled campaign still lingers
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Video games to play this summer, from 'Destiny 2: The Final Shape' to 'Star Wars Outlaws'
The Week Recommends The end of the 'Light and Darkness Saga' in 'Destiny 2', and a classic Luigi game comes to the Nintendo Switch
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Fallout: one of the 'most faithful – and best – video game adaptations'
The Week Recommends This 'genre-bending' new Amazon series is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness where survivors shelter below ground
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Video games to play this spring, from 'The Outlast Trials' to 'Rise of the Ronin'
the week recommends A long-awaited sequel finally arrives, and Princess Peach has her moment
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Hogwarts Legacy: to buy or to boycott?
Talking Point A new Harry Potter video game is facing a backlash from trans activists over J.K. Rowling’s views
By Asya Likhtman Published
-
EA races towards takeover of gaming rival Codemasters
Speed Read US giant ‘gatecrashes’ Take-Two’s deal with higher offer of $1.2bn
By Mike Starling Published
-
Wahoo, let’s-a go! Celebrate 35 years of Super Mario Bros
Speed Read Nintendo marks the anniversary with new games and products
By Mike Starling Published
-
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 reviews and trailers: wings of ‘pure wonder’
In Depth Gaming critics are wowed by the 11th instalment of the popular sim series
By Mike Starling Published