Some Xbox users are now able to stream PC games to their consoles, via a test version of Microsoft’s Edge Chromium-powered browser and GeForce Now.
As reported earlier this week, Xbox testers in the Alpha Skip-Ahead group can now access the updated Microsoft Edge web browser on Xbox One and Xbox Series S / X consoles.
Thanks to the improved compatibility support with Chromium, the browser will run web browser apps such as those for Google Stadia, Discord and more.
Crucially, GeForce Now’s compatibility means that Xbox players can stream many of their Steam games to their console, including PlayStation console exclusive Death Stranding, and ray-traced enabled versions of Cybperunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider and more.
GeForce Now also supports the Epic Games Store, which means users can stream its store exclusives including Hitman 3, Fortnite and Rogue Company.
Sony’s other former console exclusives Horizon Zero Dawn and Detroit: Become Human are not currently supported by the streaming service.
As noted in a video by Joe Chip (embedded below), because the Edge browser does not currently support a mouse on Xbox, some games which require mouse and keyboard, such as Quake 2 RTX, do not play well via the browser.
GeForce Now is available for free, as well as via a subscription for faster access and RTX support.
The service differs from other services such as Google’s Stadia by allowing players to stream their existing Steam and Epic Game Store libraries onto a number of devices such as smartphones or laptops.
It was confirmed on Sunday that the new Edge Chromium-powered browser can run Google Stadia, allowing console users to stream its library of games.
As noted in a video by Thurrott’s Brad Sams, the new Xbox browser could allow console players to stream games to their console via Microsoft’s own xCloud in the future, once Microsoft publicly adds web browser support.
The new Xbox Edge browser should also improve compatibility with services like Skype or Discord through the web, as well as browser-based games.
Microsoft has announced plans to launch cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for PC and iOS devices in the spring of 2021.
Currently, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in 22 countries can play over 100 games on Android devices via the cloud using a compatible controller. About 20 of these games also support touch controls.
And Xbox head Phil Spencer has said the company is working to bring Xbox Game Pass streaming to consoles too.
“Yes, we want to do this,” he said last year. “It’s in the long list of cool things the xCloud team is working on, just a bit further down the list. But we want console and PC players to be able to browse as easily as mobile players, it’s a good gamepass feature.”
