As of now we know that Microsoft's Project xCloud is a cloud-based service that offers players low-latency access to Xbox games playable from multiple devices over a network. Today, the company has revealed how it has been re-allocating Project xCloud resources in recent months for easier game development - offering instant access to Xbox Development Kits.

"Many developers are unable to access their Xbox development kits," Allan Poore, Partner Group Program Manager, Project xCloud explains. "By not having access to their usual tools, game developers, artists, and designers may not be able to maintain the rapid iteration cycles needed to turn out new content for gamers. Many of the traditional Xbox remote access tools are designed to be used within an office environment; bringing developer kits home is often not an option and activities like playtesting and gameplay tuning require high frame rates and minimal latency."

"We've set out to solve these remote access challenges by re-allocating our Project xCloud resources," Allan continues. "Going beyond mobile and creating a PC app experience for developers that runs a low-latency 60fps gaming experience that allows for continued game development. By giving developers access to our PC Content Test App (PC CTA) they can remotely connect to their Xbox Development Kits from their PC, allowing them to test, play and iterate as if they were in the office."

No doubt this a fascinating and very cool use for cloud-based technology specific to game development. And so far Microsoft notes that studios like Eidos-Montréal, Infinity Ward, Ninja Theory, Playground Games, Rare, Turn 10 Studios, and Undead Labs​ are taking full advantage of Project xCloud's development tools.

This follows the company's recent announcement of offering Azure to create, store, and access builds - that is versions of games in development that would normally be located in internal servers and quite large in size. Offering a clear picture of how studios are not only coping with game development in 2020, but in the future too.