Xbox Game Pass’ cloud service is coming to the Meta Quest 2 and Pro

By George Yang October 11, 2022

During the Meta Connect presentation, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to the Meta Quest store. That means VR users will be able to play Game Pass titles on both the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro.

“In fact, many people are already playing our most popular games like Flight Simulator and Minecraft in VR today,” says Nadella during the stream. “With xCloud gaming, you can stream hundreds of games to any device allowing you to connect with gamers in all new ways, whether they’re right next to you or sitting on the other side of the world.”

With this functionality, players will be able to use an Xbox controller with their headsets and play games from the Xbox Game Pass library on a 2D screen. There wasn’t a specific release date set for this, but more information will come in the future.

Microsoft and Xbox have been at the forefront of cloud gaming. The company mentioned that they are currently working on Keystone, a cloud gaming-focused streaming device, but made the decision earlier this year to pivot away from its current design to find a new approach. Additionally, Hideo Kojima is working on a game with Microsoft that will leverage the company’s cloud technology.

Meta is also investing more in the gaming space in general. Meta acquired Armature Studio, Camouflaj, and Twisted Pixel. Armature Studio developed the VR version of Resident Evil 4, and Camouflaj developed Marvel’s Iron Man VR, the latter of which is a former PlayStation VR exclusive as it’s coming to Quest 2 on November 3.

Other games, such as Among Us VR and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners — Chapter 2: Retribution, are coming to Quest 2 on November 10 and December 1, respectively.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

George Yang is a freelance games writer for Digital Trends. He has written for places such as IGN, GameSpot, The Washington…

Gaming

You can get a month of Xbox Game Pass for $1 right now

A tv shows the new Xbox Game Pass that comes to Samsung Gaming Hub soon.

If you aren't currently signed up for Xbox Game Pass, you can currently get your first month for $1. The deal only applies to Game Pass Ultimate and its PC version, though, as the console-only version is still at its full price.

Early in the Xbox Game Pass era, Microsoft would offer $1 onboarding deals for the service. The trick helped the company build a massive user base early on, but it has moved away from that cheap deal in recent years as the service has become a household name with gamers. It's finally available again for anyone who's been waiting for a reason to subscribe, though it's not as eye-popping a deal as it once was.

Gaming

Meta Quest+ subscription is the VR version of PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold

Key art for Meta Quest+

The Meta Quest family of headsets is getting their own version of PlayStation Plus Essential or Xbox Live Gold. Called Meta Quest+, this monthly subscription will give its subscribers two VR games to play every month.
Introducing Meta Quest+ | VR Title Subscription
Meta Quest+ will cost $8 a month or $60 a year, although Meta is running a launch promotion where those who subscribe before July 31 will get their first month for $1. With that subscription, you'll get two games each month, which will stay in your library as long as you're subscribed to Meta Quest+. We've already learned which games will be coming to the service in July and August.
In July, Meta Quest+ subscribers will gain access to Pistol Whip and Pixel Ripped 1995. Pistol Whip is a pretty iconic VR game that mixes FPS and rhythm game mechanics, tasking players to shoot enemies and dodge bullets to beats of a variety of songs. Meanwhile, Pixel Ripped 1995 is a retro-inspired VR game that will have you playing a bunch of fake 16 and 32-bit games within VR as you follow the story of a kid growing up in the 90s.

In August, the two Meta Quest+ games are Walkabout Mini Golf and Mothergunship: Forge. Walkabout Mini Golf is a VR mini golf simulator that features multiplayer as well as a lot of DLC that features courses based on things like Labyrinth and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Mothergunship: Forge is an FPS roguelike where players must build their own weapons as they fight through the titular ship.
Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro users can now subscribe to Meta Quest+; the Quest 3 will also support it when the headset launches later this year.

Gaming

Everything announced at Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023

Key art for the VR version of Samba de Amigo

The first big gaming showcase of June is here, and it gave us a look at what's next for games made for the Meta Quest family of VR headsets. It was an important showcase too, as the Meta Quest Pro came out last year to very muted results, the idea of the metaverse is fading in its relevancy, and the Meta Quest 3 headset is going to release this fall. During this showcase, Meta tried t reaffirm why people should care about owning one of its VR headsets.

It did so mainly by revealing VR follow-ups to popular IP. Games like Samba de Amigo, The 7th Guest, and Bulletstorm are being remade in VR. Meanwhile, well-known IP like Stranger Things, Attack on Titan, and Assassin's Creed are also making the jump to virtual reality as well, and as sequel to Asgard's Wrath is in the works. A lot was revealed during the preshow and actual showcase, so rounded up everything that was revealed for you right here.