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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMicrosoft and cloud-gaming provider Boosteroid announced a 10-year agreement on March 14, 2023, to bring eligible Xbox PC games to Boosteroid. The deal was a licensing partnership—not an acquisition, a promise that every Xbox game would be available, or a way to play games for free. Players need a supported title, the right PC game entitlement, and a Boosteroid membership.
What Microsoft and Boosteroid agreed to
The agreement concerned access to Xbox PC games through Boosteroid’s independent cloud-gaming service. Microsoft also said Activision Blizzard PC games, including Call of Duty, would be made available after its acquisition of Activision Blizzard closed. The announcement did not guarantee every game in either company’s catalog. Availability depends on the specific PC title, its supported storefront or subscription, licensing, and region. Boosteroid’s announcement described the company at the time as the world’s largest independent cloud-gaming provider and said it had surpassed four million users; those were Boosteroid’s claims in March 2023, not an independently verified current ranking or user count.
Boosteroid remained a separate provider. The partnership did not turn it into Microsoft’s service or make it the same thing as Xbox Cloud Gaming.
How access rolled out
The agreement did not produce a single, immediate catalog launch. Microsoft’s announcements describe a rollout in stages:
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- May 22, 2023: Xbox said eligible Microsoft games were becoming available to Boosteroid members, initially through supported Steam and Epic Games Store purchases. Microsoft Store support was planned for later. Xbox’s rollout announcement
- October 13, 2023: Microsoft completed its Activision Blizzard acquisition, after which the original announcement’s condition for Activision Blizzard PC games had been met. Associated Press report on the closing
- March 7, 2024: Xbox announced that supported Microsoft Store purchases and eligible PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate access could also be used on Boosteroid. Xbox’s Microsoft Store and Game Pass announcement
These milestones do not mean every Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store, or Game Pass game works on Boosteroid. Check the exact title and the storefront or subscription version it supports.
What you need to play
Think of the setup as two separate pieces: an entitlement to the game and a cloud service that runs it remotely. A Boosteroid membership provides the streaming service; it does not by itself grant access to every game. For Microsoft Store access, Xbox’s 2024 announcement described eligible games available through a direct Microsoft Store purchase, PC Game Pass, or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, alongside a Boosteroid membership.
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- A supported PC game: A publisher partnership does not automatically make every title playable. Confirm that the specific game is supported on Boosteroid.
- The right entitlement and storefront: Use a supported purchase or subscription path for that title. A Steam license and a Microsoft Store license are separate; one does not automatically substitute for the other.
- A Boosteroid membership: This is separate from the game purchase or Game Pass access. The agreement did not make either the games or streaming free.
- The appropriate account: Sign in to the storefront or service tied to the game entitlement, as required for that title.
- Regional availability and a suitable connection: Catalog and licensing can vary by country. Streaming performance also depends on latency, bandwidth, Wi-Fi congestion, data limits, and distance from a supported server.
Do not assume that owning a console version gives you a PC license for Boosteroid. The agreement concerns Xbox PC games and relevant PC entitlements; console ownership alone is not a promise of cloud access through this service.
Why Microsoft made the deal
Microsoft presented the partnership as a way to let more players use its PC games on more devices and cloud services. It also came while regulators were examining Microsoft’s proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition, with cloud gaming a major competition concern: regulators questioned whether Microsoft might keep important games exclusive to its own cloud service.
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In that context, the Boosteroid agreement served both as a distribution arrangement and as evidence Microsoft could point to in arguing that rival cloud providers could receive access to its games. It was one of several such commitments, not the sole reason regulators approved the acquisition. Microsoft had announced a separate 10-year Xbox PC-game agreement with Nvidia’s GeForce NOW on February 21, 2023. Microsoft’s Nvidia announcement
What the Activision Blizzard promise means now
The original Boosteroid announcement made Activision Blizzard PC-game availability conditional on the acquisition closing. Microsoft completed the purchase on October 13, 2023, but later regulatory arrangements shaped how cloud-streaming rights work. Under the restructured UK transaction, Microsoft said cloud-streaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the following 15 years would transfer to Ubisoft. Microsoft described this structure as addressing UK competition concerns while preserving existing contractual commitments to providers including Boosteroid. Microsoft’s explanation of the UK restructuring
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That arrangement is not the same as a blanket guarantee that every Activision Blizzard title is available on Boosteroid worldwide. In the European Economic Area, the Xbox FAQ for the European Commission remedy says consumers with a license can receive a free license to stream current and future Activision Blizzard games through a cloud service of their choice, and names Boosteroid among providers with agreements at the time of closing. The rules and availability are tied to that regional remedy; check the FAQ and the service’s title listing for the applicable game and country. Xbox’s EEA cloud-streaming FAQ
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Boosteroid, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and GeForce NOW
These services have different catalogs and play rules. Boosteroid is an independent cloud provider that can stream supported games tied to eligible accounts or subscriptions. Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft’s own service, centered on its supported cloud catalog and eligible Game Pass benefits; it is not a general-purpose remote PC for every game a user owns. GeForce NOW is another independent option that connects supported game stores and subscriptions, including Steam, Epic, GOG, PC Game Pass, and Ubisoft Connect, subject to its supported-game rules. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW overview
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- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
For a player, the practical comparison is the title catalog and total cost—not just the cloud membership. A user may need to pay for Boosteroid as well as buy the game or maintain the subscription that grants access. Cloud play can avoid the cost of a high-end PC, but it introduces network dependence and may add latency compared with playing locally. Someone who wants a subscription catalog should check the catalog and terms of that service; someone who already owns PC games should check which titles and storefronts each cloud provider supports.
Check these details before subscribing
- Find the exact game in Boosteroid’s current catalog. A Microsoft partnership does not establish support for every title.
- Confirm the PC version and storefront. Console-only ownership and licenses from a different store may not qualify.
- Check the subscription terms. A Game Pass entitlement applies only while eligible access is active and only for supported games.
- Confirm availability where you live. Rights and catalogs can differ by region and change over time.
- Test your network conditions. Latency, congestion, and data caps can affect the experience; cloud gaming cannot guarantee local-PC responsiveness in every location.
- Count both costs. Include the cloud-provider membership and the game purchase or subscription that supplies the entitlement.
What the 10-year term does—and does not—tell you
The term describes the length of the agreement announced in 2023; it is not a promise that every Xbox or Activision Blizzard game will be on Boosteroid for ten years. The announcement focused on Xbox PC games and made the Activision Blizzard component conditional on the acquisition closing. Actual play remains title-, storefront-, region-, and rights-dependent.
It also does not mean that Boosteroid and Xbox Cloud Gaming share one catalog or one subscription. The agreement’s significance was that an independent cloud provider could offer eligible Microsoft PC games under a separate service and entitlement model.
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