Microsoft is testing new features that will enable Xbox cloud games to follow users seamlessly across consoles, PCs, and Windows handheld devices. The upcoming updates to the Xbox PC app and console software aim to enhance cross-platform continuity by integrating cloud-based play history across all supported devices.
Cloud gaming play history becomes unified
The key improvement in these tests is the introduction of a new “play history” section, which is being rolled out to the Xbox PC app and Xbox console interface. This section displays all recently played games, including those accessed via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Importantly, this list will now follow players across devices.
“Cloud-playable games are now beginning to appear in play history or the library on the Xbox PC app,” explained Lily Wang, product manager of Xbox experiences. “This includes all cloud playable titles, even console exclusives spanning from the original Xbox to Xbox Series X|S, whether you own the title or access it through Game Pass.”
Thanks to cloud-synchronised game saves, players can resume games where they left off, regardless of the device used. For example, someone who starts an Xbox console-exclusive game on their console will be able to see it listed on the PC app and continue playing it through Xbox Cloud Gaming — even if that game is not natively supported on PC.
New interface changes on Xbox and PC
Within the Xbox PC app, cloud games are now easier to locate thanks to a new filter option in the library section. Additionally, a dedicated “play history” section will soon appear at the bottom of the “jump back in” carousel on the home screen. This will provide a visual tile that displays games played across any Xbox-compatible device.
“While the large tiles highlight games you’ve recently played on your current device, the play history tile shows games you’ve played across any Xbox device, making it easy to pick up where you left off,” Wang noted.
The same interface update is also coming to Xbox consoles. This move could indicate that Microsoft is preparing for even greater integration between PC and console experiences. There is speculation that PC games might eventually be featured in this shared play history and become accessible on Xbox consoles through cloud streaming.
A move towards unified gaming across platforms
Microsoft has been steadily pushing towards a more unified Xbox ecosystem, and these changes form part of a broader strategy to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs. Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming is powered by dedicated server blades running on Xbox Series X hardware. However, internal documents disclosed during the 2023 FTC v. Microsoft case revealed that the company has been exploring ways to stream PC games via the cloud.
As Microsoft continues to develop its next-generation consoles, it is expected that Xbox Cloud Gaming will eventually support the streaming of PC games as well. This could deliver higher quality visuals and better bitrates for cloud players, making platform boundaries increasingly irrelevant.
The update represents a significant step forward in Microsoft’s cloud gaming ambitions. It reflects its broader vision of allowing gamers to access their library and save from anywhere, on any device.
