Xbox Cloud Gaming is Coming to Meta Quest VR Headsets

Microsoft and Meta have partnered to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Quest VR devices. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the partnership during the Meta Connect 2022 live stream. Nadella revealed that the Meta Quest Store would soon stock Quest VR headsets.

According to a blog post accompanying the announcement, players can stream hundreds of games to a wide range of devices compatible with the Meta Quest Store. Such devices include  Android, Apple, and Windows devices; Samsung Smart TVs; and Xbox consoles. Additionally, players can stream to Meta Quest 2 and later on to Microsoft's dedicated Keystone device. While not all games were designed with virtual reality in mind, this configuration will allow players to play them on a 2D screen. The company compares it to “having a private movie theater available at all times.”

Microsoft and Meta did not share a specific date for when Xbox Cloud Gaming will launch on the Meta Quest Store. However, the blog post says the company will announce additional information on this “as soon as possible”.

Xbox Cloud Streaming allows players to stream Xbox games to mobile devices, Smart TVs, and Xbox consoles. The service is already accessible to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Phil Spencer, the Head of Xbox, revealed a prototype of the Xbox-branded streaming stick (codenamed Keynote) earlier this week. But the idea has been put on hold while the company works on other ways to add cloud streaming, such as adding Xbox Cloud Gaming to the Meta Quest Store.

Players need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to stream games on Meta Quest 2. However, they will not need their Quest 2 controllers to play. Players can connect their quest to the regular Xbox controller via Bluetooth. 

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Google closed down Stadia, its video game streaming service. Shutting down Google Stadia has left several games in development for the platform in limbo.

What is your take? What do you think of Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Quest VR devices? Are you looking forward to streaming your video games on your Meta Quest 2? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below