In Virtual Reality News
December 14, 2023 – Meta has announced a significant development in the virtual reality (VR) landscape with the introduction of the Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) app on Meta Quest. The integration marks a major step in gaming accessibility, and allows users of Meta Quest 2, 3, or Pro headsets to stream a vast array of games directly through their VR headsets.
Meta first announced its partnership with Microsoft and a December arrival of Xbox Cloud Gaming back in September when it unveiled its Quest 3 headset at Meta Connect.
With the latest Quest software update, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, a compatible controller, and a reliable high-speed internet connection, users can now access the Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) app from the Meta Quest Store. This feature eliminates the need for a traditional gaming console or television, as it enables the streaming of hundreds of popular games, meaning players will be able to play titles such as Halo Infinite, Forza Motorsport and Starfield in VR (albeit on a virtual 2D display).
Xbox Cloud Gaming on Meta Quest essentially removes the need for an Xbox console entirely, as it provides a flexible and immersive gaming experience that is all accessible on Meta’s hardware. The new integration also offers customizable display sizes, as well as the option to play in an Xbox-themed virtual environment or view physical surroundings with the Quest 3 or Pro’s stereoscopic full-color Passthrough feature.
To get started, users simply need to pair a supported controller with their Quest headset and log into their Microsoft account. Furthermore, the app is compatible with various controllers, including Xbox controllers, PlayStation 4 controllers, and Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers, with future support also planned for PlayStation 5 controllers.
The announcement of the integration of Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on the Quest platform signifies a notable advancement in VR gaming, and with the timing coming just before the Christmas holidays, it will be interesting to see if/how the announcement affects sales of both Meta’s Quest line of devices and Microsoft’s Xbox consoles.
For more information, visit the Meta Quest Store.
Image / video credit: Meta / YouTube
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About the author
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.