Xbox Cloud Gaming and Palworld: What You Need to Know
Xbox Cloud Gaming and Palworld are two hot topics in the gaming world right now. Xbox Cloud Gaming, also known as xCloud, is a popular service that allows users to stream Xbox games from Microsoft’s remote servers. It’s a convenient option for those who don’t have a PC or Xbox, as it allows them to play games on their smartphones or low-power laptops.
Palworld, on the other hand, is the trending game of the moment. It is only available on Xbox and Windows PC, making it a highly sought-after title. The game has gained immense popularity and is already topping popularity lists on gaming stores.
For gamers like myself, who have a PC and Xbox, Xbox Cloud Gaming may not be a regular choice. However, I recently had a chance to try out Palworld with a family member, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give Xbox Cloud Gaming a go. Instead of waiting for the game to fully download, we could jump right into the action using Xbox Cloud Gaming on my TV via the Samsung Gaming Hub.
However, we did encounter some difficulties accessing Palworld through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The success of Palworld has led to an influx of players trying to access the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming. This increased demand has caused extended queue times, with users reporting wait times ranging from 15 to 30 minutes.
The queue times have become such a concern that the Xbox subreddit, where most Xbox Cloud Gaming discussions take place, now has a dedicated thread for queue complaints. The high queue times not only hinder the player experience but also pose a challenge to the viability and growth of Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Microsoft sees cloud gaming as a way to expand the Xbox ecosystem beyond traditional consoles and PCs. It allows them to reach a wider audience and provides convenience for players. However, the continued high queue times may discourage potential players and limit the growth of Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Another challenge that Microsoft faces in expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming is the need for improved accessibility to iOS devices. Currently, the company has to develop a web version of Xbox Cloud Gaming for iPad and iPhone devices, which affects margins and discoverability.
In terms of performance, Xbox Cloud Gaming faces latency issues compared to competitors like NVIDIA GeForce Now. NVIDIA’s in-house GPU technology gives them an advantage in scaling up their cloud gaming service. Additionally, the reliance on expensive AMD components for Xbox’s cloud array and the use of the same chips as the Xbox Series X console reduce the inventory available for retail sale.
There are rumors of Microsoft exploring ARM64 chips for future Xbox consoles, which could help reduce costs in scaling cloud servers. However, for players currently struggling with queue times, these potential solutions offer little comfort.
Overall, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Palworld have captured the attention of gamers everywhere. While Xbox Cloud Gaming provides a convenient way to play games without the need for a PC or Xbox console, the high queue times and performance issues pose challenges to its viability and growth. Microsoft will need to address these issues to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.
Analyst comment
Negative news.
As an analyst, the extended queue times for Xbox Cloud Gaming caused by the popularity of Palworld may hinder the growth of the service. Microsoft needs to improve accessibility to iOS devices and address latency issues to compete with NVIDIA GeForce Now. Exploring ARM64 chips for future Xbox consoles could help reduce costs, but current players may still experience difficulties.
