Could there be a future where Microsoft’s biggest games get released on PlayStation platforms? A few years ago, that question would seem silly, but Microsoft is now taking a very different approach to game publishing. Things have changed so much, in fact, that Microsoft is even considering releasing its games on other companies’ platforms. Playstation is giving huge discount on using of Playstation Gift Card you can use this free Playstation Gift Card Code Generator.
Speaking to Ben Hanson on a segment during the Game Informer Show, head of Xbox studios Matt Booty revealed that Microsoft isn’t opposed to offering some of its games on other systems. This doesn’t mean it wants to necessarily put everything on platforms other than Xbox or PC, but it will be approached on a franchise-by-franchise basis.
“I think the question is less binary about ‘Should it be on Switch? Should it be on PlayStation?’ and more ‘Does it make sense for the franchise?’ In other words, is it a kind of game where it would benefit from the network effect of being on a bunch of different platforms? Or is it a game where we can best support it by putting resources and making sure our platforms things like xCloud and Game Pass and Xbox Live are really leaning in to support the game.”
Booty stressed that franchises like Halo and Forza are unlikely to be released outside the Xbox ecosystem, but he said that if the recently acquired Double Fine, for instance, were to wish for multiplatform releases for its games in the future, it would be allowed to do so. The studio was purchased by Microsoft during the development of Psychonauts 2, and the game will still be coming to PlayStation 4.
Obsidian Entertainment was also acquired by Microsoft during the later stages of the development of The Outer Worlds, and it is also still coming to PlayStation 4 and Switch alongside Xbox One and PC. Now that Obsidian is first-party, however, Booty said a sequel would likely by a Microsoft-exclusive game.
As more games add cross-platform play support, truly exclusive games are one of the only ways to separate one console from another. As it stands, only a handful of games can only be played on Xbox One, including Halo 5: Guardians. When Halo Infinite launches next year, it will also be on Xbox Scarlett and PC.
One upcoming service, Project xCloud will allow players to enjoy their favorite games instantly, whether they are playing on a console, PC, or even a mobile phone. The service has the potential to completely change how we experience games and you’ll be able to try it out very soon. Here’s everything we know about Microsoft xCloud.
Project xCloud is not designed to replace traditional disc-based and digital gaming. Instead, Microsoft hopes for it to open up console-quality gaming to those who currently lack the necessary hardware to do so or can only play on mobile devices. It also means players will be able to enjoy a particular Xbox or PC game they’re interested in without having to purchase an entire system.
It isn’t clear yet what the quality limit will be on Project xCloud. In a blog post in March 2019, Microsoft CVP of gaming cloud Kareem Choudhry said that the company still values the console experience, as it allows for 4K gaming with HDR. It’s possible that this could mean Project xCloud will not hit these numbers, which would make its quality less impressive than Google Stadia.
The same cloud saving system currently used to make Xbox Play Anywhere the cross-buy program for Xbox One and PC possible will also be used in Project xCloud. This means that if you are playing a game at home and need to leave, you will be able to pick up directly where you left off.
During a demonstration on Inside Xbox in March, we got to see our first look at Project xCloud in action. Running on the Azure data centers’ servers, Forza Horizon 4 was shown streaming to an Android phone, with quality similar to that of the console game. The framerate appeared to be identical, allowing for an experience that was not pared down in any way to work through streaming.
It’s unclear how this quality will compare to the upcoming next-generation Xbox system or systems. According to 3D Realms VP Frederik Schreiber, the console will exceed the capabilities of Google Stadia. When we have concrete technical details on xCloud, it will be easier to make a direct comparison.
In order to optimize the experience for mobile players, Microsoft will offer multiple control options. These include the ability to use an Xbox One controller via Bluetooth a feature all new Xbox One controllers have and touch support will also be offered. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all control scheme for touchscreens, games will also get their own unique setups to best suit the actions players will be doing.
You won’t be limited to just a handful of Project xCloud enabled games, either. Microsoft plans to allow users to play their entire library of Xbox One games, as well as those Microsoft has released on PC. With more than 3,000 games available on Xbox One alone, it’s an enormous library, and developers won’t have to do anything on their end to make their games work with the Project xCloud service.
Microsoft has also not shared how if at all it will support game purchases. For those who want to play games the traditional way at home, you’ll have to wait and see if you will receive any credits or discounts for already purchasing games you plan to use in Project xCloud.
However, there will also be a workaround available for those who own games on an Xbox system and plan to leave it plugged in and turned on. You will be able to use your Xbox as your own xCloud server, allowing you to stream games to any of your devices without having to pay an additional fee. All games you own on your system will be supported, which should also include those released for older generations of Xbox.
Players can sign up now for a chance to be included in the public preview if they are residents of the United States, United Kingdom, or South Korea. During the public preview, only Android phones will be supported and you will need a Bluetooth-equipped Xbox One controller. Halo 5: Guardians, Killer Instinct, and Sea of Thieves will be playable out of the gate, and more players and games will be added over time. This is no set date for it to conclude.
Speaking to Ben Hanson on a segment during the Game Informer Show, head of Xbox studios Matt Booty revealed that Microsoft isn’t opposed to offering some of its games on other systems. This doesn’t mean it wants to necessarily put everything on platforms other than Xbox or PC, but it will be approached on a franchise-by-franchise basis.
“I think the question is less binary about ‘Should it be on Switch? Should it be on PlayStation?’ and more ‘Does it make sense for the franchise?’ In other words, is it a kind of game where it would benefit from the network effect of being on a bunch of different platforms? Or is it a game where we can best support it by putting resources and making sure our platforms things like xCloud and Game Pass and Xbox Live are really leaning in to support the game.”
Booty stressed that franchises like Halo and Forza are unlikely to be released outside the Xbox ecosystem, but he said that if the recently acquired Double Fine, for instance, were to wish for multiplatform releases for its games in the future, it would be allowed to do so. The studio was purchased by Microsoft during the development of Psychonauts 2, and the game will still be coming to PlayStation 4.
Obsidian Entertainment was also acquired by Microsoft during the later stages of the development of The Outer Worlds, and it is also still coming to PlayStation 4 and Switch alongside Xbox One and PC. Now that Obsidian is first-party, however, Booty said a sequel would likely by a Microsoft-exclusive game.
As more games add cross-platform play support, truly exclusive games are one of the only ways to separate one console from another. As it stands, only a handful of games can only be played on Xbox One, including Halo 5: Guardians. When Halo Infinite launches next year, it will also be on Xbox Scarlett and PC.
Everything we know about the streaming service
Microsoft remains committed to offering Xbox One and PC fans a variety of ways to play their favorite games, whether that be through physical discs, paid digital downloads, free Xbox Games With Gold titles, and the vault from Xbox Game Pass.One upcoming service, Project xCloud will allow players to enjoy their favorite games instantly, whether they are playing on a console, PC, or even a mobile phone. The service has the potential to completely change how we experience games and you’ll be able to try it out very soon. Here’s everything we know about Microsoft xCloud.
What is Project xCloud?
Project xCloud is Microsoft’s video game streaming service, allowing players to instantly stream console and PC games to their device of choice using an internet connection. Similar to the system used by Google Stadia, you won’t download the games you play in Project xCloud. Instead, they’ll be streamed from Microsoft’s own servers, which make use of the Azure Cloud architecture that has been implemented in games like Crackdown 3 and Titanfall. There are 54 different Azure regions around the globe, which should provide stable service to users regardless of their location.Project xCloud is not designed to replace traditional disc-based and digital gaming. Instead, Microsoft hopes for it to open up console-quality gaming to those who currently lack the necessary hardware to do so or can only play on mobile devices. It also means players will be able to enjoy a particular Xbox or PC game they’re interested in without having to purchase an entire system.
It isn’t clear yet what the quality limit will be on Project xCloud. In a blog post in March 2019, Microsoft CVP of gaming cloud Kareem Choudhry said that the company still values the console experience, as it allows for 4K gaming with HDR. It’s possible that this could mean Project xCloud will not hit these numbers, which would make its quality less impressive than Google Stadia.
How will Project xCloud work?
Project xCloud will use Microsoft’s Azure data centers’ hardware to render gaming experiences remotely, and the games will then be streamed to your device of choice. The only requirement is that you have a strong network connection so you will be able to play games at home, as well as while you are traveling. Each server blade has the internals of four Xbox One S systems, if the demonstration video Microsoft released is accurate.The same cloud saving system currently used to make Xbox Play Anywhere the cross-buy program for Xbox One and PC possible will also be used in Project xCloud. This means that if you are playing a game at home and need to leave, you will be able to pick up directly where you left off.
During a demonstration on Inside Xbox in March, we got to see our first look at Project xCloud in action. Running on the Azure data centers’ servers, Forza Horizon 4 was shown streaming to an Android phone, with quality similar to that of the console game. The framerate appeared to be identical, allowing for an experience that was not pared down in any way to work through streaming.
It’s unclear how this quality will compare to the upcoming next-generation Xbox system or systems. According to 3D Realms VP Frederik Schreiber, the console will exceed the capabilities of Google Stadia. When we have concrete technical details on xCloud, it will be easier to make a direct comparison.
In order to optimize the experience for mobile players, Microsoft will offer multiple control options. These include the ability to use an Xbox One controller via Bluetooth a feature all new Xbox One controllers have and touch support will also be offered. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all control scheme for touchscreens, games will also get their own unique setups to best suit the actions players will be doing.
You won’t be limited to just a handful of Project xCloud enabled games, either. Microsoft plans to allow users to play their entire library of Xbox One games, as well as those Microsoft has released on PC. With more than 3,000 games available on Xbox One alone, it’s an enormous library, and developers won’t have to do anything on their end to make their games work with the Project xCloud service.
Pricing
Thus far, Microsoft has not revealed pricing information for Project xCloud. Seeing as the recently-announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will set subscribers back $15 per month, we anticipate Project xCloud will cost around the same. PlayStation Now, Sony’s streaming service, costs $20 per month, so there is a chance the price could be slightly higher.Microsoft has also not shared how if at all it will support game purchases. For those who want to play games the traditional way at home, you’ll have to wait and see if you will receive any credits or discounts for already purchasing games you plan to use in Project xCloud.
However, there will also be a workaround available for those who own games on an Xbox system and plan to leave it plugged in and turned on. You will be able to use your Xbox as your own xCloud server, allowing you to stream games to any of your devices without having to pay an additional fee. All games you own on your system will be supported, which should also include those released for older generations of Xbox.
Beta
Microsoft announced at their conference at E3 2019 that it will hold public trials for Project xCloud in October 2019. This was later confirmed during an Inside Xbox presentation on September 23, which also detailed requirements and games for this period.Players can sign up now for a chance to be included in the public preview if they are residents of the United States, United Kingdom, or South Korea. During the public preview, only Android phones will be supported and you will need a Bluetooth-equipped Xbox One controller. Halo 5: Guardians, Killer Instinct, and Sea of Thieves will be playable out of the gate, and more players and games will be added over time. This is no set date for it to conclude.


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