Xbox adds new feature that lets you skip downloading massive game files

Microsoft has just announced that a brand new feature is slowly being rolled out for select Xbox users, and fans of titles such as Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 may be extra excited with what’s on offer.

As revealed on the Xbox Wire blog, certain select titles can now be streamed through the cloud - even through PC, mobile and tablets.

“With the 'Stream your own game' feature on Xbox consoles, you can stream select games you own on your Xbox console without needing to install them,” stated Anu Reddy, senior product manager.

“This allows you to play games through streaming, saving you time and hard drive space, and offers access to your games with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).”

As of now, the feature is only available to “Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings” - and if you don’t know what that is, then don’t worry, because you’re probably not in.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has launched on Xbox and PC to rave reviews.

Also, even if you’re in one of the Xbox Insider clubs, you still need to be an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber to even access this feature in the first place.

It seems there are currently 50 titles that can be streamed through the service, including Assassin's Creed Mirage, Hogwarts Legacy, Balatro, ANIMAL WELL, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hades, Mortal Kombat 1, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and The Crew Motorfest.

If you’re worried your fave isn’t there then don’t worry, as Microsoft has provided a full list of all the available titles.

Personally, it’s cool the option exists, but it’s a shame the main draw of the service (streaming to mobile and tablets) isn’t available to try yet.

That could be a pretty huge deal for Microsoft if it’s implemented properly, so I’m curious to see how it well the feature performs when it’s ready.