Microsoft confirms it is testing a Netflix-style streaming service for games

Microsoft has revealed the first details of its video game-streaming service that would allow gamers to play console-quality Xbox games on any device.

The company confirmed it is internally testing the service and plans to begin public trials in 2019.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed in the summer that the company’s engineers were working on such a platform.

Writing on the Microsoft blog, the tech giant’s corporate vice president of gaming cloud Kareem Choudhry said: “The future of gaming is a world where you are empowered to play the games you want, with the people you want, whenever you want, wherever you are, and on any device of your choosing.

“Our vision for the evolution of gaming is similar to music and movies — entertainment should be available on demand and accessible from any screen.

“Today, I’m excited to share with you one of our key projects that will take us on an accelerated journey to that future world: Project xCloud.”

Mr Choudhry said the firm wanted to give gamers “new choices in when and where they play” as well as giving those who play on mobile device the chance to access content otherwise unavailable to them.

Microsoft said it had already begun fitting new, custom hardware to its data centres to future-proof existing and future Xbox games to work with the service.

The service will be compatible with Xbox Wireless Controllers connected to a user’s playing device via Bluetooth, or new touchscreen controls will be available for those without a controller.

“We are testing Project xCloud today. The test runs on devices (mobile phones, tablets) paired with an Xbox Wireless Controller through Bluetooth, and it is also playable using touch input,” Mr Choudhry said.

“The immersive nature of console and PC games often requires controls that are mapped to multiple keys, buttons, sticks and triggers. We are developing a new, game-specific touch input overlay that provides maximum response in a minimal footprint for players who choose to play without a controller.”

He added that Microsoft plans to make streaming possible on mobile data networks and work alongside the global rollout of 5G in the years to come.