This is an interesting story. As reported by GamesIndustry, Microsoft has scheduled in a talk at GDC 2019, set to take place next month, and it highlights the corporation's plans to spread Xbox Live beyond its own platforms. The talk is titled 'Xbox Live: Growing & Engaging Your Gaming Community Across iOS, Android, Switch, Xbox, and PC', and the main message seems to be that Microsoft wants to make it easier for developers to connect players across platforms using a new dev kit.
The description explains a little further: "Get a first look at the SDK to enable game developers to connect players between iOS, Android, and Switch in addition to Xbox and any game in the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs." Basically, Microsoft wants to provide developers with the tools to implement Xbox Live across almost all major platforms, expanding the network's reach to far more screens. You already have to log into the service to play games like Minecraft on other systems, but this seems to be far more wide-reaching.
Conspicuous by its absence is PlayStation, but it's not impossible to understand why. Sony's platform offers easily the largest gaming network - PlayStation Network earns more than Xbox in its entirety - so crossing beams with Xbox Live wouldn't really make a lot of sense. The platform holder doesn't really need to let Microsoft benefit from its large pool of players.
Of course, Microsoft's plans haven't been officially laid out as of yet, so we can't be totally sure about its intentions. Sony slackened on the idea of cross platform play, but we'll have to wait and see how this develops before we make any grand assumptions. We should learn a bit more about all this once Microsoft has delivered its talk at GDC in March.
[source schedule.gdconf.com, via gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 68
Do fan newsblogs have a folder of sassy executive faces for every company and occasion?
That sounds like a joke tbh.
Like, damn!!! Haha
@nhSnork Yes.
@NintendoFan4Lyf
agree, if sony announced something like this it would all be very positive news and how great it is
Are we all reading the same article? It's not negative in the slightest, just explains why Sony may be excluded... You're looking for things that aren't even there.
Phil Spencer doesn't have eyeballs.
@get2sammyb just wait till people will use this against sony.
you just know that sooner or later posts all over the internet will pop up asking why "arrogant sony" is not doing this aswell.
and ofcourse the moment they will do it,the internet won't even care. sounds familiar doesn't it?
Those “Hours of Engagement” metrics are going to go stratospheric now...what a great measure of ongoing success they are!!
@NintendoFan4Lyf yep i would not be too happy about that.
the exclusive sauce is why the meal (playstation) is so good afterall.
@NintendoFan4Lyf Right? So what's the problem with the article?
As a 50 year old gamer I couldn't care less about this or any cross platform play.
I'm not the demographic they're looking for.
@jdv95
'why arrogant Sony...'. I wonder how that could go.... Haha
Tbh Its clear Ms want xbl everywhere. Thats what they do.
sounds like a ploy to raise their MAU metric. to get third-party games on various platforms all playing multiplayer through xbox live. but you've to pay for it on xbox, but not on PC or mobiles or nintendo?
Maybe I am really, really stupid, but don't grasp what MS wants to do. I don't think this means a Ninentdo player can play online games using Xbox Live as this would mean no money for the platform owner, hence MS wants to offer "features" such as live chat and friends list.
For this reason I ask to everyone if you read this headline:
"Stream plans to support Epic launcher with its best features" what would you think?
@JJ2 doing this just makes it more evident that they want to move away from the console market.
i mean they already have lost the biggest reason to get a console by making their exclusives available on pc. i know that not every xbox gamer has a gaming pc but it still results in a big loss of potential xbox buyers.
at this point they are only making new consoles because sony does that aswell and they want to compete with them no matter what.
So will live on Switch allow you to receieve Games w Gold? Thats just one question of a million id have. What about AAA games that were never developed for said platform like iOS or Switch? Will each receive its own benefits and perks based off platform? Will Xbox push to have their own developed and published games on these platforms? Wth is MS thinking? I could go on forever lol
@NintendoFan4Lyf. Sony just upped cloud storage from 10gb to 100gb with new 6.0 (6.5?) Firmwarw update
microsoft = good guys (for now)
scalebound confirmed😁.haha.word up son
Seems to be going hand in hand with their xCloud project. Streaming games to all ("all") platforms with their service instead of traditional distribution methods.
You know what?
Dreams.
@Vonuz another reason not to buy a xbox console.
i just can't support the push for streaming yet as it's too unstable for almost half of the gaming population. that and the fact that you would never own the games anymore.
@madcow78
Apparently you need xbl to play Minecraft.
First thing to do in creative mode tutorial is build a giant Trojan horse.
Sony should allow it. I want to play with more people.
Microsoft wants to rule the world.
This is how it starts.
It makes sense that Sony would be excluded and Sony will have their own path. MS has the 'biggest' user base if you include both the Xbox and PC and they have been trying to merge those two groups together. MS and Nintendo have obviously come together - at least as far as connecting gamers online together.
MS has seen massive growth in Cloud Computing - Azure - and it makes sense to try and unite all gamers regardless of platform (inc Mobile phones which are growing in power - so much so that games like Minecraft and fortnite are playable on a mobile) and the choice to utilise Azure in a positive, united way.
Sony are no doubt preferring to stick to their own servers and network. Joining up with MS would no doubt reveal exactly what specs any 'new' console would have as Sony would no doubt need to test it with the Azure network rather than their own 'locked' (by locked I mean locked to Sony only) servers.
Lets be honest here, the only rival to Microsoft is Sony and Sony has its own network so doesn't need to join up. Most people have a MS, Android or iOS powered device and so can sign into their MS/Xbox type account and play any of their 'Xbox' games on any device - whether that's console, laptop, tablet, Smartphone or even your Switch it seems. For Nintendo, that gives them a massive boost - able to use MS servers and Cloud to boost the Switches online capability on the go without necessarily spending a fortune on servers etc.
I can't see Sony having an Xbox app/store on their console to sign in and play your Xbox games, no more than I can see Sony having its PSNow app on Xbox.
Personally I don't want to see a time where it becomes Sony vs the Rest. On sheer numbers, Sony lose but as we know, as long as Sony keep making great games, people will buy into that ecosystem. I would prefer to buy just 1 console and be able to play every game - whether its from MS, Sony or Nintendo. Essentially like buying a PC and able to play games on Steam, Epic, MS or Origins for example. I want to see a world where gamers are united not petty squabbling about which controller is better or who has the most, the best games etc because everyone could play every game and pick the controller they are most happy with to play in an amalgamated community - just like the videophile community that doesn't matter what bluray player you own, you can all watch the same movies..
What's an xbox.
@Deadlyblack ever heard of Windows? they've been ruling the world for a long time.
@JJ2 to do cross-play with xbox but do you need to pay the fee to play online minecraft without cross-play?
here https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/game-titles/minecraft-switch-edition-faq#a00b283e2b5444a3bfeecac7a7fe62b9 I see the FAQ reads: "A Microsoft account is optional and not required to play Minecraft on Nintendo Switch." hence as I wrote, XBL won't be a paid service on other platforms.
For this reason, please wake me up when Valve offers to support Stream features on Epic. Please do it and together we will celebrate the Upside Down World!
I have an Xbox Live account from when I owned a 360. I'm using it on my PC with Forza Horizon 4.
But I'm at a loss to figure out why I'd want it on my PlayStation. I don't see what purpose it would serve.
Presumably makes sense for nintendo if it means they get access to 3rd party titles they never would have gotten access to otherwise, and a proper functioning network, which has always been one of their weakest points.
Makes sense for microsoft as it extends their network, makes people more reliant on their services. It also gives them access to the japanese market in an unprecedented way.
I dont get all the details or how it works, but on the face of it i see logic from both sides, even if i dont really like it. Time will tell if its a good move for either party, both, and if it will significantly impact Sony's bottom line.
Lets see what GDC brings and then it will be clearer.
This sounds awesome. Crossplay will be the next great innovation in gaming; I've been saying it for the longest time. The option needs to be there for those who want it, which is not an insignificant amount of people as we've seen with recent developments. M$ has really turned their gaming business around this gen, adding a lot of features, while Sony has been stumbling as of late on features and perks.
@leucocyte
Where have you been? Switch online costs money.
Phil Spencer always has a look on his face like he just ripped a huge fart in a crowded elevator.
So what? As the YouTuber Morgana Days has posted once on Twitter: "Microsoft and Nintendo are joining forces, Sony conquers alone." What comes next? Phil Spencer giving Shigeru Miyamoto a friendly hug? No use - PlayStation remains king.
MS wants to use crossplay to pad Xbox Live numbers, because Xbox One is almost irrelevant this generation.
Why the hell Sony would allow this on their platform? Lmao.
notice how they are doing it with every device that ISN'T their competition
sounds like desperation too me in order to increase the XBL numbers
still it could work out really well for MS but on the flip side this could be a sign that they are thinking about dropping from the console manufacturing business at some point and going to a multiplatform publisher and are putting in place a network for them to work with when they do
@jdv95 Also, there are no exclusives, all their games are also available on PC. Did you see the previews of Crackdown 3? Sites are saying that it looks like a 360 game.
So much for the power of cloud.
I don’t think PlayStation fans will give 2 Nathan Drakes about this fact that Microsoft ain’t working with PlayStation
Once again the issue was Cross Progression w Fortnite NOT CROSS PLAY all Sony HAD to do was allow Cross Progression with games and that’s it. Would they get called out for no Cross Play? Of friggin course! But will the masses give a Wumpa Fruit? Frick no.
Found it.
Yeah, I don’t see Sony allowing this. I don’t blame em.
looks like MS is trying anything to try & be relevant again feel the Xbox brand is going to be so lost within a few years.
Phil Spencer comes across so disingenuous to me.
Seems little parasitic to me.
well, of course microsoft wants to get the switch owners onboard... it can't seem to get the sales it needs to be sustainable on its own... getting trounced by playstation by a sales ratio of more than 2:1 is flat out embarrassing as this point. also, why on earth would nintendo want to collaborate with microsoft on this? an xbox platform running on the switch has the potential to steer nintendo owners away from nintendo's ip lol... eh, i don't think this is going to pan out. it might just be an initiative for cross play of multi platform games, but i don't see microsoft putting its first party offerings on the switch.
Everytime I see this headshot of Phil smiling like that then I imagine that beneath that black shirt, he's sitting there in his underpants posing for the cover of a sexy magazine aimed at the more mature, discerning audience 😂 I can't be the only one imagining that...
I see they left out Mac as well.
Have nintendo actually signed up to this yet, or are microsoft calling them out. Its a little unclear from all the press releases i have read
again you have to wonder why they will even have a new xbox next gen.
i mean even xbox live won't be exclusive to microsoft only systems anymore.
why waste money just to compete with sony if there will be nothing exclusive on a xbox anymore be it games or services.
sure they are investing in studios but how much of the playerbase will actually get a xbox for those games if they can play it on pc and can soon access xbox live on other systems aswell?
they are investing to get the brand up there again,but everything they have been doing has no benefit to the xbox so far.
@madcow78
In my understanding its not even an option here. Even third party games will be tied to xbl for say, earn Xbox achievements and that could go deeper.
@NintendoFan4Lyf xbox one is also the only place you can't play free to play online games without XBL Gold
that's right a free to play MMO like say Star Trek Online can't be played on the XBOX ONE without paying for XBLG even though you can on every other system
Lol what happened to "when everyone plays, we all win"
@PS_Nation remember competition is a good thing. Microsoft might not have exclusives but it does have the better online service with the free cloud saving as well as some form of backwards compatibility. Because of this the PS5 will most likely have backwards compatibility next gen. Try to support Microsoft with some of there ideas. It will make the PS5 even better,
@NintendoFan4Lyf That does make a difference. MS is in the unique position of being able to hedge these perceived acts of 'good will' on a 900 billion dollar company. I can see why someone like Sony would tie it to a sub. Considering the company is worth 1/19th of MS. I never knew that though so thanks!!
I hate anything to do with Microsoft and the Xbox brand so I am HAPPY + they can keep their future DRM to themselves(you know it WILL come back one day)
Not shocked at all that this isn't coming to PlayStation but I'm intrigued how it plays out especially because Nintendo is involved. There must be some huge benefit because I can't imagine Nintendo would play nice unless there is something that can help them as well.
@Suren1998
I have a feeling this is more to do with Sony than MS. It's pretty obvious MS wants to get its services on every device and no doubt would love to tap into the 90 mil plus PlayStation userbase. There's no benefit to Sony at all other than it would avoid some of the negative articles that will be written.
I game on Sony systems to specifically avoid anything Xbox, glad to see that MS are futureproofing that for me.
@Gamer83
Apparently you could stream Xbox games on the Switch so that makes more games available on the device besides whatever money they get from deal/sub fee
@JJ2
Be interesting to see how good the quality of the streaming is.
Microsoft is lost to me. Streaming only box, GAAS, no exclusive titles. It seems xbox is for casuals imo.
@NintendoFan4Lyf i think the point to take here is that neither is perfect and that they both have things they could be doing better
@JoeBlogs
Im not very clever but I know it so I dont think Im completely stupid. Hows that?
I think Ms may finally get a chance to penetrate the Japanese market with xbl. That means it makes even more sense for Sony to release some handheld device to keep psn competitive in Japan. What you think?
@JoeBlogs
Well it's more about competing with Nin for Sony with Ms just trying to show up.
No sure I'm seeing Sony being happy to let it go. In japan
Seems like a missed opportunity for MS considering how many ps4's are used.
@OmegaYato Let's watch the insults ok
@Tasuki Cool. Set an example by telling others to do the same.
@OmegaYato Cool. Sorry but we don't play the he didn't it but it's ok game here. Take responsibility for your own actions or, I can do it for you.
@Tasuki Go for it.
@OmegaYato Don't tempt me. 😘
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