Microsoft and Vodafone have announced a new partnership which will enable customers to take part in a preview of the software giant’s new cloud-based game streaming technology.

The Project xCloud public preview will enable Vodafone customers to play Xbox games on their mobile phones and tablet devices via Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks.

The technical partnership, which will be the first instance of a UK network linking up with Microsoft’s gaming technology, is aimed at helping to shape the future of mobile game streaming.

The trials will begin in October 2019 and with Vodafone customers invited to register.

Those select have an opportunity to be amongst the first to try it by registering for the preview, with those selected to take part helping to optimise the cloud gaming experience by playing some of Xbox’s most popular games including Gears 5, Halo 5: Guardians and Sea of Thieves.

Vodafone said a critical component of the trials is to “better understand how gaming technology will work on mobile networks, and to understand how 5G and 4G networks can best support gamers.”

Project xCloud was launched last year with Microsoft employees trialling the cloud-based gaming technology at home and on devices.

In a blog posted to Microsoft’s website, Kareem Choudhry, corporate vice president at Project xCloud, Microsoft said: “Our vision for Project xCloud is to empower the gamers of the world to play the games they want, with the people they want, anywhere they want.

He explained: “We’re building this technology so gamers can decide when and how they play. Customers around the world love the immersive content from Xbox in their homes and we want to bring that experience to all of your mobile devices.”

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