Decade in review: 12 stories that changed Microsoft, Windows and Xbox forever in the 2010s

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Microsoft saw many momentous developments during the past decade. These are the events, changes and announcements that were most impactful for the company, Windows, and Xbox in the 2010s.

October 2018: The birth of Project xCloud

Xbox Project xCloud Games List

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Project xCloud is Microsoft's game streaming service that's available in public preview at the moment. You can play around 50 games for free and the company says that the service will also support your existing purchases and Xbox Game Pass in 2020. Being able to play your games wherever you are, without the need for a console, is the future of gaming, and Microsoft wants to reach as many gamers as possible.

In many parts of the world, gaming consoles aren't common but smartphones are. The ability to simply download a small app, log in to your Microsoft Account, and start playing a "AAA" blockbuster hasn't been possible before. That's changing and with xCloud, there are no downloads, no patches, it just works.

While competitors like Google Stadia also exist, Microsoft's bandwidth requirements are the lowest at the moment. You can even use your phone's data plan to play games like Gears 5 and Sea of Thieves. This is what sets the service apart, and reaching as many players as possible is the company's vision for the future of gaming.

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WinC Staff
WinC Staff

Home to the most invested and passionate Microsoft fans, Windows Central is the next generation destination for news, reviews, advice and buying recommendations on the Windows, PC and Xbox ecosystems, following all products, apps, software, AI advancements, and accessories. We've been around for more than decade, and we take our jobs seriously. Windows Central writers and editors value accuracy and editorial independence in everything we do, never receiving compensation for coverage and never pulling punches.