Xbox Cloud Gaming will eventually feature PC games, says Xbox head

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It looks like games exclusive to the PC version of Xbox Game Pass will eventually be available to play via the Xbox Cloud Gaming service, as confirmed by head of Xbox Phil Spencer when responding to the question on Twitter.

When answering a question regarding if PC games will show up on the Xbox Cloud Gaming service in the future, Spencer responded: “...PC games will come, focused on console games now.”

The question came about as a result of the official Xbox Wire Twitter account tweeted that invites will soon be rolling out to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members for the Xbox Cloud Gaming limited beta for Windows 10 PCs and Apple smartphones and tablets.

Cloud Nine

The Xbox Cloud Gaming service launched for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members back in September 2020. While the cloud service currently features Xbox Game Pass games available on console, Spencer’s comments on PC game availability could mean that more Xbox Cloud Gaming betas will take place in future.

Xbox Cloud Gaming recently received updated functionality, providing touch controls that allow for play without a controller. When games featured on the PC version of Xbox Game Pass make their way to Xbox Cloud Gaming, we can see touch controls being a worthwhile alternative for popular strategy-heavy games like Age of Empires and Crusader Kings 3.

There’s no word as to whether mouse and keyboard support will be factored into Xbox Cloud Gaming on Windows 10 - the Xbox Wire announcement post only mentions USB and Bluetooth controller support. That’s an accessibility feature we’d love to see, especially when first-person perspective games like Prey and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim benefit greatly from a mouse and keyboard setup.

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Rhys is TRG's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.