Xbox Project xCloud Public Preview Begins Soon, Sign Up Here

Microsoft's Project xCloud is one of a number of exciting game streaming services coming soon. While the company has shown the Xbox service off in streams and at live events, it has so far only been available under controlled conditions.

However, during the latest Inside Xbox stream, the platform holder has said it will soon begin xCloud's Public Preview phase, in which gamers can test the service for free. You can sign up for the testing period on the Xbox website, though note the trial is coming to the US, UK, and Korea only.

Microsoft says the test will start in October, but it will be a staggered launch, so if you don't get an invite right away, you could still be involved later on. However, signing up does not guarantee you entry: "We anticipate that demand will exceed our capacity during the preview period and that we will be unable to accommodate all applicants," Microsoft said in a statement. "However, it is our intention to accommodate as many eligible players as possible and we’ll continue to invite more gamers into the preview over time."

Four games will be included from the outset--Gears 5, Halo 5: Guardians, Killer Instinct, and Sea of Thieves--but Microsoft says more will be added over time. You don't need to own these games or even an Xbox console to participate, either, since they're streamed directly from the cloud. You only need a phone or tablet running Android 6.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 and an Xbox One controller. Microsoft says the Preview will continue until "customers are consistently reporting a great, fun experience and the technology meets our internal quality standards."

Finally, Microsoft said it was still working on its console streaming technology, which streams games directly from your own Xbox One to your mobile device. "It plays an important role in our all-up game streaming vision and we're still on track to begin public trials this year," a spokesperson told GameSpot.

Elsewhere in the Inside Xbox video, Microsoft announced more titles coming soon to Xbox Game Pass on Xbox One and PC.