Since launching on Android devices in late September of this year, there hasn't been much by way of additional news in terms of Microsoft's xCloud streaming service. With reports and rumors going back and forth in terms of iPad and iOS compatibility, Microsoft's cloud gaming service has remained exclusive to Android devices. Although, one user has managed to not only integrate xCloud onto a strange, alternate device, but also managed to play Doom Eternal as well.
For those who don't know, xCloud is a video game streaming service that was announced back in October of 2018. In a similar vein to Xbox Game Pass, xCloud allows users to stream PC and Xbox One games through a mobile device using a specialized controller. While xCloud has been in beta since November of 2019, it officially launched on Android devices last month. However, one user managed to upload the xCloud to a Samsung smart fridge and can actually play games on it, including Doom Eternal.
Richard Mallard on Instagram posted a video showing how he uploaded the xCloud app onto a Samsung smart fridge and can actually play Doom Eternal on his fridge. The game runs surprisingly well, all things considered. It's played only in portrait mode, but also portrayed in the correct aspect ratio, though it's humorous watching someone's fridge contents overlaid by Doom Eternal.
While the video is rather brief and is largely intended as a proof of concept, it is quite the astonishing feat, practically as impressive as when Bethesda managed to put Skyrim on Alexa. Though, if xCloud can be used on a smart fridge, it will interesting to see what other applications the xCloud gaming app can be used in.
Sadly, the streaming service is only available on Android devices. Given how xCloud and other similar video game streaming services circumvent Apple's app store policies, the company blocked the xCloud from being used on iOS devices. While the Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, remains hopeful that Apple will eventually allow the xCloud on iOS devices in a consumer-friendly way, it doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon.
Microsoft has already confirmed its interest in putting the xCloud on Xbox consoles, as well as controller optimization options for those who are used to using a PlayStation controller for example. Only time will tell the directions that Microsoft will take its cloud gaming service.
Doom Eternal is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X versions also in development.