Xbox knows exactly what it needs to do to stay ahead, which is why it is once again floating a plan tailored for those who rely on cloud gaming. Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s Vice President of Next Generation, has revived the idea of offering a lower-cost subscription specifically for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Over the past few years, Microsoft has broadened its strategy to succeed across multiple fronts of the gaming industry. While still committed to console hardware and its flagship Xbox Game Pass, the company has also placed strong emphasis on developing its cloud-based services through Xbox Cloud Gaming. To make this option even more accessible, the firm is once again suggesting a standalone, cheaper subscription plan aimed squarely at cloud-focused players.
According to a report from The Verge, this detail emerged during the latest episode of the official Xbox podcast, where discussions touched on ROG Xbox Ally, the Play Anywhere ecosystem, Game Pass, and other services from Microsoft’s gaming division. It was here that Jason Ronald, the company’s Vice President of Next Generation, hinted at a plan for Xbox Cloud Gaming that should sound familiar to those following the cloud gaming scene closely.
“What we’re seeing is a lot of players using Game Pass Ultimate to access the cloud — whether that’s their primary way to play or simply an additional option while on the go,” Ronald explained during the podcast. “For us, that presents an opportunity to make it much more affordable and accessible for players, whether that’s in new regions or through new ways of reaching the [Xbox] cloud.”
While Ronald stopped short of confirming any new subscription tier, the implication is clear: Microsoft is taking the idea seriously. This isn’t the first time such a possibility has surfaced. FTC documents related to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard revealed that a “dedicated” Xbox Cloud Gaming plan was under consideration, and even the company’s CFO once floated the idea of a free version supported by ads. Ronald’s latest comments suggest the strategy is still very much alive.
Xbox’s Vision for Consoles and AI
Beyond cloud gaming, Ronald also touched on the future of Xbox hardware and Microsoft’s growing investment in artificial intelligence. On the console side, he noted: “Together with AMD, we are designing dedicated hardware to power the next generation of gaming experiences. […] We are investing heavily in new rendering technologies, such as neural rendering, which will raise the bar for visual quality in the games you play.”
On the topic of AI, the executive added: “We are also investing in enabling the next generation of AI capabilities, which will be transformative in terms of how you experience gameplay.” In fact, Microsoft is expected to test these features in the ROG Xbox Ally X, positioning the device as a launchpad for exploring new directions.
Source: 3djuegos
