Upgraded Xbox Cloud Gaming demo sees games running at 1440p/60fps, without GeForce Now caps

Microsoft remains under fire for its recent Xbox Game Pass price increases. However, improved streaming quality may give gamers pause before cancelling their subscriptions. With the Xbox Cloud Gaming beta period over, some titles are showcasing higher resolutions and frame rates. Jez Corden of Windows Central demonstrated how Xcloud may become an appealing alternative to Nvidia GeForce Now.

As part of the revised tiers, subscribers will need Game Pass Ultimate to enjoy 1440p graphics. Essential and Premium plans also include cloud gaming, albeit at lower quality with longer wait times. Gamers willing to pay $29.99 per month for the highest tier may be surprised at how streaming performance has evolved.

In the Windows Central video, Corden tested several Xbox Cloud Gaming games on the ROG Xbox Ally handheld. The Witcher 3 impressed at 2560 x 1440 resolution, while maintaining a steady 60 frames per second. Described as a “night and day” difference from previous streaming sessions, any latency was also hard to detect.

Unfortunately, there is a limited number of titles taking advantage of the boosted performance. Fallout 4 and Cyberpunk 2077 are two other games that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can experiment with. Frustratingly, there is no label yet to identify the upgraded selections.

GeForce Now still wears the performance crown

When quality is the priority, GeForce Now is often the preferred cloud streaming service. Streaming at 1440p, its Performance tier still has an edge over Microsoft with a larger library of compatible titles. Meanwhile, the Ultimate plan bumps up the streaming quality to 4K and higher. Even so, players must contend with session limits and 100-hour monthly caps.

GeForce Now is also a better value for buyers who prioritize cloud gaming. After the Xbox price increase, Game Pass Ultimate is three times the cost of Nvidia’s 1440p option. If day-one releases and other perks aren’t of interest, some fans may desire a standalone streaming service. Rumors suggest that a free ad-supported plan is on the way, but it’s unlikely to offer the most premium streaming experience.