Cloud gaming

Cloud gaming runs a game on a remote server and streams the picture to your device over the internet, so you can play without installing the game or owning hardware that could run it.

In cloud gaming the game itself runs in a data centre. Your device sends your button presses to the server and receives a video stream of the result. That is why a phone, a smart TV or a browser can play a game that would otherwise need a console or a gaming PC.

The trade-off is the connection. Picture quality depends on the bitrate the service allows and on your internet line, and every input makes a round trip to the server, which adds delay that fast competitive games show most. Busy periods can mean a queue before the game starts.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is the version most players meet, through Xbox Game Pass. On Xbox’s plan pages in September 2026, Essential includes 5 hours of cloud play a month, Premium 10 and Ultimate 15. Microsoft’s support FAQ gives the quality ceilings: up to 1440p at up to 30 Mbps on Ultimate for supported games and devices, and 1080p at 15 Mbps on Premium and Essential. Ultimate members wait least in a queue. PC Game Pass does not include cloud gaming.

Cloud gaming does not change who owns what. Streaming a library game gives access while you subscribe, the same as downloading it; some services also let you stream selected games you have bought.

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