Xbox February Update: Invite Links, Cloud Gaming Enhancements, and Additional Features

Exciting news for Xbox fans: there’s a slew of fresh updates rolling out that are sure to enhance your gaming experience. As of today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can effortlessly bring friends into their Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) sessions with just one simple, sharable link. What’s more, players now have access to an even wider selection of cloud-playable titles. And if that wasn’t enough, Xbox is diving into AI research, and back in January, they introduced a nifty network quality indicator alongside a new controller update to further refine your gameplay. Let’s dive into the details.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)

Getting your friends to jump into a cloud gaming session with you has never been easier. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, when gaming on a web browser or on supported TVs, can now create invite links to share with other Game Pass Ultimate members.

As you immerse yourself in a multiplayer game via Xbox Cloud Gaming, it’s simple to rope friends into the fun. Just open the game invite menu from the Guide or within the game, locate the “Anyone” tab, copy the link, and send it out. Whether you choose direct messaging, a group chat, or a splash across social media, your friends can jump into your gaming session instantly through a web browser or a TV that supports this feature.

Joining a game session on a web browser or mobile device is straightforward:

1. Open the invite link in a supported browser.
2. Sign in with your Xbox profile.
3. Click on “Play with Ultimate.”

To hop into a session on a TV:

1. Use a PC or mobile device to open the invite link.
2. Select “Join on a different device” to get a short code.
3. On your TV, access the Xbox Guide and choose “Have a game session code?”
4. Enter the code from your web browser and you’re in!

Keep these points in mind while using this handy feature:

• Each participant must have an Xbox account, with some games requiring an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
• Everyone involved must own the game.
• The number of players who can join depends on game-specific limits.
• You can revoke a link at any time to stop new participants from joining.
• The ability to kick out players from a session varies based on the game.

Stream Your Own Game – Expanding the Cloud Library

We’re introducing even more titles to stream, broadening the selection for Game Pass Ultimate members. If you already own them, you can stream more than 50 cloud-playable games on compatible devices.

New Additions:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Slime Rancher 2
• Subnautica
• Subnautica: Below Zero
• The Talos Principle 2
• Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

Coming Soon:

• Atomic Heart
• Cult of the Lamb
• Hotline Miami
• Killer Frequency
• Neva
• Overcooked! All You Can Eat
• Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
• Serious Sam Collection
• Trepang2
• Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition

You can explore the full list of games that are cloud-ready for streaming on supported devices right here. And if you’re seeking more insights, check out the information here.

In Case You Missed It

Xbox is making strides with a fascinating AI research breakthrough. Highlights from our January updates include a new network quality indicator, controller improvements, and enhancements for PC gaming which boost stability, ease of finding new titles, and usability.

Microsoft recently shared a generative AI breakthrough published in Nature, along with the announcement of Muse, a model geared towards gameplay ideation. This development has the potential to benefit players and game developers alike, by breathing new life into classic games and accelerating the ideation and iteration process for developers.

Interested in diving deeper into this breakthrough? Read more in our article here.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) – Network Quality Indicator

The recently introduced network quality indicator can now be accessed by everyone, helping diagnose any potential network hiccups during streaming sessions. This indicator monitors network stability to keep audio and video issues to a minimum whenever you’re indulging in Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on compatible devices.

Want to switch the network warning icons on or off? Simply navigate to your profile picture > Settings > Streaming > Network quality indicator. More details and troubleshooting tips can be found here.

Xbox Accessories – Update on the Xbox Wireless Controller

An update for Xbox Wireless Controller has been rolled out to bring enhancements like thumbstick auto-centering, trigger fine-tuning, and better mouse-to-thumbstick inputs. Get this update through the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.

Help Shape the Future of Xbox

Keep an eye on Xbox Wire for future updates packed with the latest and most exciting news. For support on Xbox updates, head to the official Xbox Support website.

We welcome feedback from the community, whether it’s a new feature idea or suggestions on refining existing ones. Your participation helps us improve Xbox experiences globally. If you’re keen to influence Xbox’s future and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC.

Happy gaming!