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Registrations for Project xCloud Preview Is Live in Australia (Free Cloud Gaming)

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All gaming lovers who are not able to grab your favourite Console/Gaming PC due to the current crazy demand, Microsoft has heard your prayers and launched the Cloud based gaming platform Project xCloud. Here are the steps to enroll.

Step1: Register your interest for Project xCloud (Preview)
Note: Registration does not guarantee selection.
Step2: If selected, you would receive a welcome email (Usually around 24 hours)
Step3: Use any Wireless Bluetooth Controller and start playing

So all in all, you just need a Andoid device(Phone, TV, Streaming Device etc.,) and a Wireless Bluetooth Controller and your gaming setup is ready.

Feel grateful to Microsoft after Google's Stadia, Nvidia's GeForce Now etc., were announced longtime ago but not available in Australia till date. Feel the love.

List of Free Games available at the moment

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closed Comments

    • +3

      Once official services begin, likely MS will sign a deal with Telstra or Optus for unlimited data plan, like how they offer quota-free for Netflix, Spotify, etc.

    • i guess its like streaming a movie.

      using this as a brenchmark. According to Netflix, you use 1 GB of data per hour when you stream a standard definition (SD) video. High definition (HD) videos, on the other hand, use 3 GB per hour. And 4K Ultra HD streams use up to 7 GB per hour of video.

      telcos will now be able to push bigger data packages to consumers, and make $$$

    • Use your WiFi not your 4G

      • In the short term sure, but as a overall product of xcloud hmm.

  • +2

    It's running very nicely. Tried out Forza Horizon 4 and Minecraft Dungeons. Very impressive.

    • really? i thought its not released in /OZ yet..

      • They just released this yesterday even though initial plan was to release early next year

        • so the email i received from microsoft means i didnt get selected now?

          and i hv to wait a few months?

        • I tried it on my mobile and found it was a bit too laggy to enjoy. 50/20 NBN on 5ghz wifi and also 4g Optus, both too slow for cloud streaming).
          What type of home network connection do you have?

          • @DeToxin: darn.. thats the network speed i have too..

          • @DeToxin: I'm on old school cable, avoiding NBN as long as possible. Typically get 115 down but only 5 up. 5Ghz wifi. Stuttered heaps connecting to the 2.4Ghz and recommended switching to 5Ghz.

            Few staggers here and there. Something like Forza the input lag is noticeable, but fine for the causal weekly Forzathon PR stunts.

            I'm still impressed though! AAA games on my phone!

            • +1

              @mgrowan: It reminded me to try out steam link again. Running games from my PC directly over wifi to my phone is a fair bit better but still leaves a bit to be desired , bearing in mind my pc and phone are both connected wirelessly. Running an ethernet cable between the PC and router would help a lot.

      • It's an invite-only beta release, you're essentially debugging their service and they get you to comment on any issues you have. I personally have had Destiny freeze on me a couple times, to the point of restarting. It's not perfect yet. Bit of lag from the controller too.

  • Can someone who already tried confirm the below:
    1) Is Gamepass really required for the current Preview Membership
    2) Does it support any other Bluetooth controllers?

    • 1) no
      2) I've used a PS4 controller on my android phone no trouble
      * All that aside, there's to much lag for it to be really enjoyable*

      • Wow…thanks @Iyle88.. that changes everything 😃

    • +1

      Controller Support Official Announcement

      "we will support multiple bluetooth controllers, including razer junglecat and Sony DualShock" ~followed by sounds of xbox fanboys confused applause

  • I tried it via VPN awhile back connecting to the US. It surprisingly didn't run horribly. Will try again and hopefully it doesn't try connecting to the US :D

    • wat network speed do u run on?

      • +1

        FTTN shockingly, but I get 115/45 speeds consistently some how, the node being ridiculously close helps. It obviously wasn't smooth, but certain games were playable even with VPN

  • I'm really excited for Project Cloud, coming to Australia will mean we get full Azure servers setting examples for developers to innovate in this backwater town.

    • yes i agreeeee

    • +1

      Um, Azure already has had since 2014 datacentres in:
      Australia East (sydney)
      Australia SouthEast (melb)

      Added a year or two back:
      Australia central (canberra… govt focused I guess)

      and NZ coming.

      • +1

        If only WA got one :-(

  • I got in, tested on my Melbourne HFC NBN, played some Borderlands 2 and I am blown away at how close this is to real time. Literally better than any local network streaming I have tried so far.

    I would say that this has got the point of being just playable now. There are about 8 or so games so far included in the beta.

    • over 30 games are available.

    • Edit: looks like around 20 games, now that I have played a bit I have had some more buffering etc.

      I think with a WiFi 6 phone and router this will be great.

      • 34 games currently, just counted, all free in the beta

  • I've been playing it a bit. Keep in mind if you want it on an Android TV, you need to sideload the phone app currently. Works fine, but only outputs in 1080p. What I've noticed is that I get some significant compression artifacts, like I'm watching a high motion YouTube video. Could be because I'm only on 50/20, but I can watch/stream 4K Youtube/Netflix fine on this connection.

  • What bluetooth controller is everyone getting for Android TV?

    • I'm using Xbox One controllers.

      • I'll probably get one from ebay or gumtree.

        • Now my PS5 controller has its purpose fulfilled as I wasn't able to grab a Console. Will try tomorrow.

          • @wise penny: i have being using PS4 dual shock, very bad experience so far

  • Awesome thank you so much OP. I have been trying to sign up for preview for weeks but it was closed. Hopefully we test how crap our telstra nbn will deal with xcloud…

  • +2

    I don't really get why this isn't available on PC via browser or their Xbox app

    • xCloud via Web browser - Microsoft is working on it (but mostly for iOS users to overcome Apple blocking the app).

      PC - honestly, you might be better off with GamePass PC or Ultimate.

      With our sub-par NBN, I really don't think streaming is going to provide a very pleasant experience.

      • +1

        Turns out it's pretty good… It's not bad at all…. Some fast paced games do lag a bit but others work fine. I was pleasantly surprised…

  • Tried it on my Galaxy note 10+ on my Launtel 400/50 and it seemed pretty good, not perfect but as far as streaming goes I was impressed

  • This actually works really well I'm shocked.

  • +1

    Dang, got an email saying that they'll be in touch within a few months to let me know if I got in lol.

    How long did people have to wait for to hear back?

    • +4

      That's a generic email but people are receiving the confirmation within 24 hours

      • Oh sweet - fingers crossed!

      • I can confirm. Got the same email last night and got confirmed around 1pm today. Existing Gamepass Platinum Brazil.

  • Thanks OP!

  • (profanity) finally

  • All you guys are fighting about Xbox and PS
    and I'm just a Nintendo fan sitting and watching.

    PS: using xcloud is amazing though. I played Forza 4
    On a chromebook!

  • Worked great on my android phone but keeps crashing on my 1st gen Shield tv

    • It's pretty smooth on my Shield Pro which work on LAN. Did you try with LAN?

      • Do you mean as in streaming from a console or did you mean through a wired connection?

        • I used Xbox Series X Controller connected to Shield Pro via Bluetooth and Sheils Pro is connected to internet via LAN

  • anyone find that you need around 100mbps connection for this to be playable? i experienced massive unplayable lag and also input lag at anything lower than around 90-100mbps.

    • You don't need that much bandwidth to play it. Games only at 720p. I've tried it 2 days ago on my Kogan 50/20 plan works perfectly fine. Loading was a abit slow compared to Xbox one. Has quiet an input lag when playing Tekken 7. Other then that it's pretty cool.. Yakuza games would be awesome since you don't need any quick or fast inputs for it.

      • oh ok thats good to know, so the input lag is not related to connection speed then? i was trying to play gears 5 but the input lag was pretty terrible.

        • Check your latency on speedtest.net. mine is about 50-60ms.

          You'll have inputs lag for all the games with latency over with more than 30ms. I used Parsec to stream my PC games locally to my phone, tablet and laptop on a WiFi with about 5-10ms and have not notice any inputs lag.

          • @HandsomeMonkey: ok yes mine is about 40ms so this would probably be the reason right?

            • @drinkin-beer: How laggy is it? I haven't tried Gears yet but Tekken 7 input lags were noticeable.

              • @HandsomeMonkey: Tried it just then and it seemed fine to me, but fighters aren't my thing.

              • @HandsomeMonkey: Not gonna lie for me it's pretty bad. You can play with it but it kinda takes the enjoyment away because it's so distracting. I can only try it via mobile data though because I one of the 0.5% that still can't get NBN lol

  • How long did it take for something to come through once you registered? Edit: I just got an email saying lookout for the next few months?

    • Yeah I'm in the same position

    • 12 hours for me to get selected

  • -8

    Anything with a name that hints a similarity to Xbox screams subpar quality and something that just wouldnt be any sane persons first choice.
    They should really consider changing the name.

  • Still waiting for email…has anyone got in since last night?

    • I just got it now. I got a message saying last night it could be a few months

  • Just got a 'You've been selected to join Project xCloud (Preview)!' email. Will download the app now.

    • Woo… Me too… Time to Upvote :)

    • Same :)

  • +1

    I just get a grey screen with a message "login.live.com refused to connect."

    • same on Chrome but works on Firefox

      • R ubsaying you can use xcloud on PC using chrome, how?

        • no, not at all. BuyOrNot and I had issues registering for the offer using Chrome.

      • Thanks, worked in Firefox.

  • Wow I already got picked to test out xcloud. I only signed last night. Ty OP 👍👏

  • Just tried it over 4G and the Audio and Video is amazing. The ODEZA intro soundtrack for Forza Horizon sounds much better via cloud stream then streaming it from Spotify.

  • I got picked as well just now. Need a bluetooth controller so I can start testing.

  • Ah I didn't realise it is only android and not windows 10 yet… Strange they don't have the beta on PC, even at 720p I'd have given it a go on PC.

  • Anyone knows how to sideload it to Sony android TV?

  • Anyone know when this is likely to end??? Just got my confirmation to start this morning.

  • Waiting for Shadow to come to Australia - that's a true 'game'-changer.

  • Just got my invite and played my first game. Looks awesome.

  • 12 hrs wait. Accepted.
    Like most have said. Fast paced games like tekken and forza 4 whilst stream fine have noticeable input lag. Generally a good experience so far though.

  • Signed up but can't play cos I don't have a controller T__________T

    • There are couple of games which can be played without a controller

  • +1

    In your face Stadia!

  • Thanks OP! Registered

  • This works stupidly well. Xiaomi mi9t pro over 5ghz wifi on full strength Gillard-era fttp NBN.

    Gears, Minecraft, Forza and cricket all worked awesomely.

    What a time to be alive

  • Anyone tried it on Android TV yet? I am getting a bit of lag. Not sure if its the hardware or my internet. (I am on 50/20 NBN and speedtest seems to be fine).

    • Yep, tried it just before - Sony TV running Oreo. (NBN 100/40.)
      It's strange - until the game starts it's really slow, but after that it's not too bad.

      • I tried it on my Shield Pro, its very smooth

  • Registered on 21/11, got the approval email 6am this morning. Thanks OP!

  • +1

    Sideloaded the playstore apk to a 2019 Nvidia Shield Pro (connected via Wi-Fi). Paired Xbox controller to Shield. Internet is FTTN 50 plan via myRepublic (local area is maxxed at 27Mbps via speedtest.net) down speed displaying in corner of screen (via an app) showed a fairly constant 5-6Mbps.
    I found the visual to be at roughly 720p, with some artifacting. Sound was annoying with its occasional cutting out and distortion if too many sounds at once (this is a streaming issue, not anything at my end). I dont have any 'game' subscriptions and am a brand agnostic casual gamer. IDK how it performs for multiplayer.

    Conclusion: I wouldn't recommend it on a slower connection. Unless I'm locked into a sub, I'll consider it for any games I find interesting, then unsub again til the next interesting game comes along.
    Is it perfect? no but Its definitely good enough that I probably wont be buying a XBwhatever console again. If you are hard up for cash but want the xbox 'experience', go for it.

    What loading times??? Where we're going, we dont need SSD's - Crazy DeLorean Professor Guy

    • +1

      Glad I'm not on FTTN. That speed you mentioned sucks

    • Currently xCloud is locked to 720p. So even if you had a faster connection, the quality wouldn't increase.

      Imagine this is one of the reasons there's no AndroidTV app yet.

    • Hi, I sideloaded onto Shield Pro, have registered and accepted into Xcloud
      Not getting a Cloud option when logged in, just Console and PC
      Thoughts?
      Thanks

  • For those really into this, I got the Powerwave Xbox Controller Phone Mount today from EB at $15 Christmas sale. It's $14 at JBhifi.

    https://www.ebgames.com.au/product/xbox-one/255868-powerwave…

    • The good thing I discovered is that my Bluetooth Xbox controller actually works with MAME4droid (0.139u1) emulator - people can work out what that app is. So mount would still be handy even when this preview is over. Now looking for a cheap USB-C to HDMI converter so I can put my phone up on my TV. Tried this with wireless casting but there was a lag which wasn't exactly conducive to gaming…

      • Unless you're looking for a cost-effective solution, Andriod TV/Google TV/NVidia Sheild etc., should do the trick.

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