But, XCloud *is*. Google put all their eggs in this one basket, Microsoft positions it as a value-add.
forbes.com/sites/paultass…
1) Reduces loading times, often by a lot!
2) Under optimal conditions, has more lag and lower image quality
3) Under merely good conditions is intermittently frustrating
4) Under average conditions is unplayable
MS has them beat on every other single point, and it's arguable MS can challenge them on technical matters, too.
MS has all the time in the world to slowly improve cloud+subs on top of their existing service as value add, and slowly lock people further in to their ecosystem.
Solid differentiator vs. Playstation with the upcoming console generation shift, too.
The next challenge is, Stadia, on some narrow measures (load times in particular), seems to be better than current gen consoles.
But NEXT GEN is riiiight around the corner.
Even granting that Stadia could magically conjure their target image quality under all conditions... how will it compare with next gen?