Katarzyna Petru
Microsoft accelerated the development of the Xbox ecosystem significantly in February. The most important change? Streaming in resolutions up to 1440p on consoles and a range of improvements for ROG Xbox Ally users. The update affects both console and PC gamers as well as handhelds.
1440p in the cloud and a new quality of streaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming on consoles is leveling up. Subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can now stream games at resolutions up to 1440p with a higher bitrate, which means a sharper image and more responsive gameplay. The feature is rolling out to Xbox Series X|S as well as older models Xbox One X and One S. Microsoft emphasizes that the development of cloud gaming is accelerating after exiting beta. At the same time, a public preview of the new web version of Xbox Cloud Gaming with a refreshed interface is underway. Additionally, there are Postgame Recaps for Insiders on PC – a system summarizing achievements and activity after a session ends.
ROG Xbox Ally and More Freedom in Gaming
Users of ROG Xbox Ally received specific improvements. The most important ones are the ability to format microSD cards directly from the Xbox app and the Advanced Shader Delivery indicator, which informs whether the shaders have been precompiled. This is intended to shorten loading times and improve fluidity during the first launch of a game. Microsoft is also expanding the Handheld Compatibility program, which makes it easier to check if a particular game runs optimally on portable devices. The Xbox Play Anywhere library has exceeded 1000 titles, and the "Stream Your Own Game" feature now allows users to stream over a thousand of their own games from the cloud.
The February update clearly shows: Xbox is focusing 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 taking the portable market seriously.
Source: news.xbox.com
