When Phil Spencer hinted that Microsoft's xCloud streaming service would roll out in Australia in 2021, it seemed a bit optimistic. But here's a surprise: the xCloud beta will actually launch in Australia in 2020, and even better, next week.

On November 18, registered users can begin testing the service on their Android phones and tablets through the Xbox Game Streaming app available on Google Play. A Microsoft account is required to register.

In addition to Australia, the Project xCloud beta will roll out in Brazil, Japan, and Mexico on November 18. This is in advance of the official launch in 2021, which will be bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Other streaming services such as Google Stadia and PlayStation Now will not be available in Australia. The country's dismal internet infrastructure is probably to blame, and most Australians, especially in rural areas, will not have a great experience using xCloud. Nevertheless, that's what the beta is for, and it will be a good test to see if cloud gaming works well in Australia.

Games available during the beta include the following, with more to come:

- ARK: Survival Evolved (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Batman™: Arkham Knight (AU, BR, MX)

- Black Desert (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- CODE VEIN (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Cricket 19 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- DayZ (AU)

- Dead by Daylight: Special Edition (AU, BR, MX)

- Destiny 2 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Devil May Cry 5 (AU, BR, MX, JP) [29

- eFootball PES 2020 (AU, BR, 31]

- F1® 2019 (AU, BR, MX)

- Forza Horizon 4 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Gears 5 (AU, BR, MX)

- Halo Wars 2: Standard Edition (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Halo: The Master Chief Collection (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (AU, BR, MX)

- HITMAN™ (AU, BR, MX)

- Just Cause 4 (AU, BR, MX)

- Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition (JP)

- Minecraft Dungeons - Windows 10 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae (JP)

- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (AU, BR MX, JP)

- PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- ReCore (JP)

- RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard (AU, Sid Meier's Civilization VI (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Skyforge (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Smite (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Stellaris: console version (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Tekken 7 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- WWE 2K20 (AU, BR, MX, JP)

- Yakuza 0 (AU, BR, MX, JP) [81]