Katarzyna Petru
In February, Microsoft significantly accelerated the development of the Xbox ecosystem. The most important change? Streaming in up to 1440p resolution on consoles and a number of improvements for users of the ROG Xbox Ally. The update affects both console players and PC and handheld users.
1440p in the cloud and a new quality of streaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming on consoles is reaching new heights. Subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can now stream games at resolutions up to 1440p with a higher bitrate, resulting in sharper images and more responsive gameplay. This feature is rolling out on Xbox Series X|S as well as older models Xbox One X and One S. Microsoft emphasises that with the exit from beta, cloud development is accelerating. At the same time, there is a public preview of the new web version of Xbox Cloud Gaming featuring a refreshed interface. Additionally, there are Postgame Recaps for Insiders on PC – a system summarising achievements and activity after gameplay sessions.
ROG Xbox Ally and more freedom to play
Users of ROG Xbox Ally have received specific improvements. The most important are the ability to directly format microSD cards from the Xbox app and the Advanced Shader Delivery indicator, which informs whether shaders have been pre-compiled. This aims to shorten load times and improve smoothness on the first launch of a game. Microsoft is also expanding the Handheld Compatibility program, which makes it easier to check whether a game runs optimally on handheld devices. The Xbox Play Anywhere library has exceeded 1000 titles, and the “Stream Your Own Game” feature now allows streaming over a thousand of your own games from the cloud.
February's update clearly shows: Xbox is betting on the cloud, handhelds, and gaming flexibility. 1440p on consoles is a big step for Cloud Gaming, and changes in the ROG Xbox Ally indicate that Microsoft is serious about the portable market.
Source: news.xbox.com
