What is cloud gaming?

Video games have come a long way since the days when you had to blow into a cartridge or insert a floppy disk.

Instead of running on your device from home, cloud games stream directly across your Internet connection. This eliminates having to wait for a game to download and install, and also saves space on your Xbox or computer’s hard drive.

How can you get started with cloud gaming? It’s as easy as opening your browser. You can launch Xbox cloud games directly from Microsoft Edge, and they’ll look better than ever thanks to Clarity Boost, or how Edge enhances visual graphics with more detail and higher framerates as you’re streaming cloud games.

Video games are on the cutting edge of technology

Cloud gaming reflects just how fast and accessible online connections have become: Even advanced, immersive video game experiences can run across a high-speed streaming platform. Thanks to the same cloud technology that keeps companies running, cloud gaming can track your progress and achievements as you tackle a single-player campaign and allow you to play anywhere on the go. For multi-player games such as Fortnite, you can battle opponents around the world on multiple platforms.

Jump into cloud gaming with a dedicated account

Cloud gaming has become wildly popular in the past few years because it brings games to a wider audience, without hardware constraints. Video game platforms such as Xbox and hardware makers like Nvidia, and major tech companies offer their own cloud subscription services.

Some games are free to play, just by creating an account. Xbox Cloud Gaming, for example, offers Fortnite for free. Xbox Game Pass, a monthly subscription service that comes with a free trial on many Windows devices, unlocks hundreds of games that run the genre gamut, from Far Cry to Forza Horizon, and even the games that established Xbox as a world leader, like the Halo series.

What equipment do you need for cloud gaming?

You may already have some of these devices, but to get started in cloud gaming, here are the essentials:

Account for your chosen cloud gaming service (e.g. Microsoft account)
Video game console, smartphone, or laptop, such as a Surface device
Compatible controller (optional but can enhance the gaming experience)
High-speed Internet connection with sufficient download speeds

Some of the most popular games in the world are now available for streaming on Microsoft Edge. Fortnite, Halo, and Minecraft are not only wildly popular on PCs already, but now you can stream them across multiple platforms. Check out the purpose-built Gaming homepage on Microsoft Edge to access your favorite games. And take advantage of Microsoft Rewards and complete daily challenges, updated every day on the Gaming homepage.

What games can you play over the cloud?

Whether it’s retro games you play right in your browser or the latest Triple-A titles, cloud gaming has allowed developers to offer their titles to even wider audiences. It’s been a boon for indie developers that may lack the resources for mass distribution: By latching onto online services, they’re able to bring their products and vision to more gamers in more places.

This openness and accessibility, enabled by cloud technology, is a plus for the entire gaming industry as well as individual gamers. A slew of genre-pushing games not only enhances the creativity of the industry, but allows space for the most popular and niche games alike—from Fortnite, one of the most popular multi-player games in the world, to the latest independent hits.

When it comes time to log on and play, be sure to try Microsoft Edge, the best browser for gamers, with features like Xbox integration, Clarity Boost for crisp graphics, and Efficiency mode for fast, smooth gameplay.