Surface Duo can be a crazy co-op machine with Xbox xCloud and Google Stadia

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
last updated

Two screens really are better than one.

Surface Duo Stadia And Xcloud
Surface Duo Stadia And Xcloud (Image credit: u/kxxstarr)

What you need to know

  • Surface Duo can work as a crazy, somewhat-impractical, cloud gaming co-op machine.
  • A Reddit user showed off his Duo running both Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia running on a Duo at the same time.
  • Both can be played at the same time, opening up some interesting co-op possibilities.

Microsoft has been pretty clear that the new Surface Duo is very much aimed at boosting your productivity, but no one said it can't up your co-op game, too. In a setup that looks truly ridiculous (and very awesome), Reddit user kxxstarr showed off their Surface Duo running both Xbox Cloud Gaming (née xCloud) and Google's Stadia game streaming at the same time. The result is what could be the most amusing co-op setup ever.

The photo posted to reddit shows xCloud running the Halo Master Chief Collection on the top screen while Stadia is running Destiny 2 below. As kxxstarr notes, because the Xbox controller works over Bluetooth and the Stadia controller works over Wi-Fi, you can open both, then tap the Xbox screen to make it the focus and play both at the same time. Just say goodnight to your battery.

Look, this certainly isn't something that's going to be a "system seller" for Surface Duo. But while it may be super niche, it's incredibly cool nonetheless.

After months of beta testing, Xbox Cloud Gaming is set to officially launch on September 15 and it'll be available as part of every Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be adding this to the list of reasons I need a Surface Duo.

Double the fun

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Microsoft Surface Duo

Two screens are better than one

Microsoft delves into the future of foldables with an ambitious dual-screen device, featuring two ultra-thin 5.6-inch AMOLED displays bound by a 360-degree hinge. This pocketable inking-enabled Android smartphone marks the latest in the Surface lineup, geared for mobile productivity.

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Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends.

Microsoft Surface Duo

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

6 Comments
  • It would be much more interesting if you could play a split screen game with each player on a separate screen. Can it be done?
  • What about plugging it to a TV to play xcloud in a big screen? MS still needs a solution for that, Google has it, and Nvidia does too.
  • This will probably be solved by putting the app on streaming devices like smart TVs, Roku and Fire TV.
  • The Duo has HDMI out. One of the reviews showed it running on an external screen. Basically it looks the same, only there's no line down the middle. Look her up on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rXyjAxMIulo (about 15:30 if you don't want to watch the whole video)
  • That works fine. Seen plenty of youtuber connecting to external displays
  • However, Microsoft could take this a step further and adapt the tent-fold setup so that you could use two controllers and two people could use the device while facing each other. While harder to use on the Duo, this would be a killer feature on the Neo.