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Microsoft's Open Invitation To Valve, Nintendo and Others To Join Xbox One and PC Crossplay (vg247.com)

Posted by msmash on from the for-the-greater-good dept.

Microsoft has said it's ready to have a "conversation" with any development team that wants to feature crossplay support on consoles and PC. From a report: Mike Ybarra, vice president of Xbox, told VG247 that it's happy to talk to the likes of Valve and Nintendo when it comes to getting multiplayer games working across multiple platforms, not just between Xbox One and Windows. "It's more about gamer choice, more about making an IP on our platform last longer. I don't care about where they play, I just want people to have fun playing games because that's just better for the industry," said Ybarra. "The demands of consumers and developers have changed," he continued. "People are like, 'we want all of our gamers in one multiplayer pool together, playing.' "We totally agree with that. If any developer wants to have that conversation... Valve is right down the street from us, Nintendo is too -- they're like a block from us. We're having these discussions as developers come up, and we're completely open to that."

175 comments

  1. Whoa .. that's weird by OzPeter · · Score: 2

    I read that as

    Microsoft's Open Invitation To Valve, Nintendo and Others To Join Xbox One and PC Cosplay

    And wondered what the hell sorts of things are going on in MS these days.

    --
    I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
    1. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by currently_awake · · Score: 1

      Open invitation to (...) to join Xbox One and PAY. Microsoft is looking for a revenue stream here. Cross platform gaming is a feature, a reason to BUY your console.

    2. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by gfxguy · · Score: 1

      That makes no sense... Cross platform means you can play on your Playstation WITH people on XBox, so you don't have to buy the platform you don't want. Or are you saying it will cost no matter which platform you use? In which case, too bad. The masses have spoken and they want multiplayer and if you don't like it, don't buy the platform.

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    3. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because you didn't read the post before replying.

      Pay microsoft to work with them and work to play together.

      And if such crossplay requires access to something MS deems Too Important To Share, then you can fuck off or sign a huge license and NDA and noncompete for the chance to pay MS for continued access as an outsider to that version of the information.

      Look at how MS crossplays with SAMBA.

    4. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by gfxguy · · Score: 1

      That's because TFS says nothing about MS requiring others to pay.... you know why? Because Valve doesn't need MS, they're not going to pay MS. Sony doesn't need MS. They're not going to pay MS. So, IOW, it was just another anti-MS strawman rant.

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    5. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by Fwipp · · Score: 1

      To be fair, crossplay also means "cosplaying as a character who's a different gender than you."

    6. Re:Whoa .. that's weird by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Microsoft's Strategy has always had three parts. Embrace, Extend, Extinguish.

      When they came to Nokia to begin with, they just wanted to "port their apps to Symbian" and certainly didn't want Nokia to pay. They always knew they would pay later in one way or another.

  2. Crosspwn by sinij · · Score: 4, Insightful

    At least in case of Valve/PC, any crossplay will quickly turn into massacre. For example, in FPS keyboard and mouse players of moderate skill would dominate competition-level console players. The same would hold in RTS or any other game where skill element revolves around player control.

    1. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Not all games are FPS and/or RTS. There are many genres, and (likely) most of them would benefit somewhat from something like this.

    2. Re:Crosspwn by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      I don't use consoles so excuse the ignorance, but can you not connect a keyboard and mouse to a console if you want to? I know typically people don't use them, but they could if they wanted, no?

      They all have usb ports, and I thought I've seen keyboards on consoles before.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    3. Re:Crosspwn by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Unless of course the usual console aimbot gets thrown into the game.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    4. Re:Crosspwn by andreas.hummelbrunne · · Score: 2

      In this day and age, you can connect a mouse and keyboard to your console.

    5. Re:Crosspwn by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Yeah, we sure have too few crappy console ports as it is now.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    6. Re:Crosspwn by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      You can connect a keyboard and mouse to a console but will the games use them?

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
    7. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      For competitive cross platform play they either (1) gimp the PC player or (2) add aim-bots to help the console players.

      Because console controllers are ass.

    8. Re:Crosspwn by JonnyCalcutta · · Score: 1

      Yes, but its down to each game to make use of them. Most don't.

    9. Re:Crosspwn by magusxxx · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, but the console players can't set up macros. Which is a huge advantage to PC players especially during PvP matches. Hit one key = Perform several moves before the console player hits their second button.

      --
      Care killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
    10. Re:Crosspwn by sethaw · · Score: 1

      Yes and no. Xbox doesn't support a mouse and keyboard setup. However, there are some expensive third part devices that will fake it. These are controversial though since they provide an advantage and one of the big reasons some people play on consoles is that everyone has similar hardware.

      Also many people on consoles aren't sitting at a desk and don't have a place for a mouse. It's more comfortable to sit on a couch in front of a tv than it is to sit at a computer desk.

    11. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes and no. Xbox doesn't support a mouse and keyboard setup.

      Seriously?

      I have a keyboard for my PlayStation 2. Way to be behind the times Microsoft.

    12. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's funny, I was told Xbox ran Windows 10. Did Microsoft lie, or does Windows 10 not support mouse and keyboard?

    13. Re:Crosspwn by slowburner77 · · Score: 1

      They might have keyboard/mouse only rooms and vice versa for controllers. There are several ways they can go about making it fair.

    14. Re:Crosspwn by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      but the console players can't set up macros. Which is a huge advantage to PC players especially during PvP matches.

      There's no reason they can't put a macro editor and keyboard support into a console version.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    15. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Hopefully, it's becoming more and more obvious that consoles are just neutered PCs that you can't upgrade.

    16. Re:Crosspwn by rogoshen1 · · Score: 1

      what's to stop logitech (or whoever) from making a keyboard / mouse that allows programmable functions?

      Even from a hardware perspective : push this to start recording, hit your buttons, push record button again to save macro. Lots of PC hardware allows that, without any software intervention for recording.

    17. Re:Crosspwn by sinij · · Score: 1

      I control my PC and its drivers. Insofar as you know, I only use a controller and nothing else is connected to it. I even post on /. with a controller. If you load anything trying to look at my drivers, you will be looking at the inside of VM.

    18. Re:Crosspwn by tepples · · Score: 1

      Xbox One runs an edition of Windows 10 that's closer to Windows 10 S in its capability. Games need approval for what input devices they can use.

    19. Re:Crosspwn by sinij · · Score: 1

      This has not stopped dirty console peasants in the past.

    20. Re:Crosspwn by thebullshitpatrol · · Score: 1

      >Did Microsoft lie, or does Windows 10 not support mouse and keyboard?

      yes.

    21. Re:Crosspwn by wolrahnaes · · Score: 1

      Seriously?

      I have a keyboard for my PlayStation 2. Way to be behind the times Microsoft.

      Xbox supports a keyboard just fine in the non-game UI, but they intentionally disable keyboard usage in games because too many console FPS players are gamepad whiners who know they'll get their asses handed to them if people were allowed to use proper controls.

      Console devs need to just tell those idiots to get a keyboard/mouse themselves and STFU.

      --
      I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
    22. Re:Crosspwn by magusxxx · · Score: 1

      Keyboard support is fine. But many games will ban players for using macros. It's not how they want the game to be played. And let's not forget about speed hacking which no way in hell are console game companies going to allow either.

      --
      Care killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
    23. Re:Crosspwn by Khyber · · Score: 1

      You gonna detect this and every variation thereof?

      https://www.amazon.com/Keyboar...

      Probably not. There are literally hundreds of different models out there.

      Wanna know how I know it works? I use them. Specifically this model for any console FPS gaming and combine it with my X-Arcade for fighting games.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    24. Re:Crosspwn by LordWabbit2 · · Score: 1

      Erm, not sure what game you are playing, but I do know that using macro's is against the TOS for a lot of games, unless that changed, haven't been playing online games lately.

      --
      There are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a 'fib,' the second is a downright lie, and the third is statistics.
    25. Re:Crosspwn by gameboyhippo · · Score: 1

      I know, right!? I mean what if Sonic Mania had cross play! Those keyboard/mouse players would massacre the Switch players.

    26. Re:Crosspwn by SScorpio · · Score: 1

      Ya, we have great stuff like Rocket League instead. Where PC players can play against PS4 or XBO players.

    27. Re:Crosspwn by Cederic · · Score: 1

      Cross play doesn't necessarily mean competitive play, and does include other genres. As an example of a massive success : Rocket League.

    28. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wouldn't say any crossplay. I'd imagine fighting games like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat would be OK with the crossplay between console and PC

    29. Re:Crosspwn by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Don't know that game, care to elaborate what your point is?

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    30. Re:Crosspwn by dstyle5 · · Score: 1

      The only Xbox One game I've seen utilize a keyboard is Gears of War 4, for text chat, haha. I actually find myself using it on occasion for "good games" or strategy comments for Horde mode. I wish more console games had this option as many people use party chat so you can't communicate with them over the default voice coms in many games.

    31. Re:Crosspwn by GonzoPhysicist · · Score: 1

      I remember some old 3rd party controllers that had this ability (Playstation/ N64 area) it let you dominate in combo based fighting games. But I don't know if they are made for modern consoles.

      --
      horror vacui
    32. Re:Crosspwn by Xest · · Score: 1

      FWIW a lot of people are using hacks/adapters to use mouse and keyboard on consoles anyway.

      You're right it does create a massive advantage but it's not quite as severe as you say. I don't bother because I can't be arsed to spend £130 to cheat on a video game so when I come up against them it's a mixed bag, some still suck, because no amount of money can stop a stupid player from sucking, but others have a clear advantage.

      So yeah it would completely break game balance in competitive FPS games, but I'd argue that's not the be all and end all - Microsoft is sensibly doing cross-play with Minecraft because it's the sort of game that works well with everyone working together. If companies wanted to create cross play in games like Civ, The Sims, and that sort of game then I don't really see the problem. Even some MMOs would probably be okay.

      But even with competitive FPS then it's probably just a case of flagging whether you want to play with mouse/keyboard players or controller players or not really I guess.

    33. Re: Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Your example disproves my point, therefore I'm going to refuse to believe it exists, despite the thousands of players and worldwide tournaments it sustains". Lol

    34. Re: Crosspwn by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      I can't even determine whether your example disproves my point because you still didn't bother to explain it.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    35. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      add that the fact that something like 1 of every 4 pc players IS CHEATING, running bots, walhacks and all kinds of stuff

    36. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is quite true, but ONLY for the top 0.01% of competition-level players. I often play FPSs online with an xbox gamepad on PC and do just fine, and I would definitely put myself in the "moderate" skill category.

    37. Re:Crosspwn by WeezulDK · · Score: 1

      Rocket League is basically "Soccer using Remote Controlled Cars that can do all sorts of tricks", it's an awesomely fun game that has a huge following.

    38. Re:Crosspwn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Having played Splatoon 2 a lot (with the motion controls, no less): the motion control aiming in Splatoon 2 is actually nearly identical, responsiveness-wise, to using a mouse to aim. The only real differences are that, obviously, the Joy-Con isn't a mouse; but unlike aiming with a mouse, you don't have to worry about friction when moving the Joy-Con, nor worry about your Joy-Con accidentally 'sticking'* for some reason (with a mouse, likely reasons would be a worn-out mousepad, or the teflon glides coming off).

      Granted, if your hands are really shaky, chances are your aim will be terrible with a Joy-Con as opposed to with a mouse -- but the average person who lacks a surgeon's steadiness would still do fine.

      If [whatever first-person shooter game] was put on the Switch and the Switch player could use motion controls in the right Joy-Con to aim -- like in Splatoon 2 --, then I'd say it'd be a pretty even match between them and the PC players.

      I want to say that people could probably plug a keyboard and mouse into their XBox 360/XBox One and use those to control an FPS game, too (after all, the PlayStation 2 allowed it for some games, if I remember correctly!), but I'm familliar mostly with Nintendo consoles, not so much Microsoft (or Sony) consoles.

      *That last one's been more or less fixed -- for me, if not for anyone else -- and only really affected the left Joy-Con anyway.

    39. Re:Crosspwn by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      So you control a car? I assume it's supposed to be played with console controllers?

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    40. Re:Crosspwn by KingBenny · · Score: 1

      well then, nothing like a bit of friction, hate and trollery to keep things in the spotlight :D

      --
      Free speech was meant to be free for all... how can anyone grow up in a nanny state ?
  3. PC FPS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Do this if you want to see console FPS players get murdered by keyboard + mouse

    1. Re:PC FPS by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Actually, I do.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    2. Re:PC FPS by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Do this if you want to see console FPS players get murdered

      Where do I sign up?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:PC FPS by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      Do this if you want to see console FPS players get murdered by keyboard + mouse

      Wait... do the FPS players get murdered, or just their characters?

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    4. Re:PC FPS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, they definitely get murdered... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovsVU6mktOw

  4. Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Lothsahn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This would be the embrace phase...

    http://www.roughlydrafted.com/...

    You know once they're at 75%+ marketshare, they'll change their tune...

    --
    -=Lothsahn=-
    1. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Gosh, you /. lot sure can't let go of your 90s anti-MS paranoia.

    2. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Lothsahn · · Score: 2

      That's the problem with building a bad reputation. It takes a long time to fix.

      I'm not anti-MS, per se. I use MS Windows every day and it works well. I like SQL Server. Skype is great. Outlook is buggy, Office 365 is awful, and Skype for business is terrible (but getting better). MS, like any large company, has good and bad products.

      Give me a few examples where MS has super majority marketshare and is taking action to embrace the community, and I'll reconsider my opinion.

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
    3. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

      Maybe but for now, they are the underdog.
      They don't come close to Valve's Steam for distribution, don't have Nintendo's licenses and are losing to Sony's PS4. They are only relevant because they have Windows. They are just trying not to be ignored here.

    4. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by denis-The-menace · · Score: 2

      It's what makes MS...MS.

      Until you see it often enough AS IT HAPPENS, you don't see a pattern.

      --
      Obama's legacy: (N)othing (S)ecure (A)nywhere and (T)error (S)imulation (A)dministration
    5. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Give me a few examples where MS has super majority market-share and is taking action to embrace the community, and I'll reconsider my opinion.

      Lol.. what community? Do you mean the commercial community? This is about giant corporations, not mom-pop stores.

      Even so, If you find a community that's relevant and not monetized yet, please let me know !

    6. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Lothsahn · · Score: 1

      I meant the open source community.

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
    7. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by beernutz · · Score: 1

      I don't know. .NET development is doing a pretty good job of embracing the community. Not sure what you consider a "super majority", but it is a large share.

      --
      (stolen from DaBum) I am dyslexia of borg - your ass will be laminated.
    8. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Cederic · · Score: 1

      That's not paranoia, that's bitter fucking experience.

      I did read the summary and wonder if this was an attempt to fuck over Steam and Nintendo.

    9. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by gfxguy · · Score: 1

      Agreed.... I was right there along with them, as MS was brutally anti-competitive and did a lot of morally wrong things (a super-set of the illegal things they did). There are still things that really bother me about them, especially with Windows 10 telemetry and spying. But I have to admit, as a developer who recently had to start developing software to work with existing Windows only software, the development tools are really quite nice - the community version of visual studio is fantastic, IMO, and the whole concept of .Net language interoperability is a holy grail that MS is closest to achieving.

      Another aspect of my job is websites running on Linux; mostly Django based... and with Windows Subsystem for Linux, I can develop my Linux web services in Windows - even having a running LAMP system running on my Windows laptop while developing code in Visual Studio for another project, and then being able to sync it when I get back to the office.

      Yes, I could run a VM, but I'm seeing a lot of advantages to WSL, including being able to use my Windows editors for working on my Linux website. All locally.

      I'm finding it very difficult to be as anti-MS as I once was. Now this multiplayer game interoperability - it's all a good thing, and yet people are assuming what evils MS is doing this for, making their strawman arguments because they can't admit that MS might be doing something positive for consumers. Yes, they ultimately want money, but if they're doing it by making people happy, I fail to see the problem.

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    10. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You said it. Bitter. Not a good look for you.

      The Roman Empire would never change, except when it did. The Byzantine Empire would never change, except when it did. The British Empire would never change, except when it did.

      Recognizing and understanding when an entity and the world it inhabited has changed, is a sign of intelligence. Failing to do so is a sign of someone stuck in the past so that even your enemy isn't your enemy anymore.

    11. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      People are leaving the Microsoft toolset. Windows is just a cross-compile target, and they are desperate to have their second-rate language/interpreter stay relevant as the industry awakens to a world where they don't need what Microsoft makes.

    12. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Microsoft has been good at Embracing but in the past 5 years have been completely inept at Extend or Extinguish. You give them too much credit.

    13. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by apoc.famine · · Score: 1

      That's the problem with building a bad reputation. It takes a long time to fix.

      And sometimes it doesn't matter if you fix it or not, if you alienated your customers thoroughly enough the first time around. There are a handful of companies that are on my "fuck you forever" list, and I honestly don't care if they have reformed, or if they ever do. I was burned badly enough that there is no compelling reason to ever go near them again. Until their competitors all burn me somewhere close to that much, I'll be using their services and products instead.
       
      The world would be a better place if companies actually had to fear the long-term wrath of customers. I'll do what I can to help make that possible.

      --
      Velociraptor = Distiraptor / Timeraptor
    14. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Maybe but for now, they are the underdog."

      And make no mistake that that is the ONLY reason they're being so willing to play nicely.

    15. Re: Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Those empires collapsed. Change and collapse are two different things.

    16. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wtf are you doing here, microsoft shilling was restricted to thursdays.

    17. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anubis+IV · · Score: 1

      Exactly what I came here to say. When you're the underdog, you embrace, and when it comes to these areas, Microsoft is increasingly becoming—or already is—the underdog. Meanwhile, they've already demonstrated hostility towards Valve via the Windows App Store being mandatory in Windows 10 S, effectively locking Steam out, and Valve has clearly been aware of that sort of threat, which is why they tried to make Steam OS a thing. Microsoft has also already demonstrated an unwillingness to embrace crossplay in the previous generation when their console was on top, and there's no reason to think that they won't conveniently drop it the moment their position would be improved by doing so.

      It's fine to allow your products to interoperate with Microsoft's, but know who you're getting into bed with before you do so.

    18. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by scdeimos · · Score: 1

      There are a handful of companies that are on my "fuck you forever" list, and I honestly don't care if they have reformed, or if they ever do. I was burned badly enough that there is no compelling reason to ever go near them again.

      I feel that way about HP. Sure:

      • make me order a custom build notebook through your web site because you only have the dinky shit in brick and mortar stores.
      • make me pay for it by credit card because your PayPal integration is broken.
      • two weeks later send me a DOA notebook.
      • argue about repairing or replacing it for two weeks.
      • finally agree to replacing it then take another two weeks to send a courier out to pick it up.
      • after receiving it wait another week to acknowledge receiving it and actually order a replacement.
      • take another two weeks to send a replacement.

      The whole experience was a world of pain. Every time I called their support I'd get a different person, have to explain the whole story to them again (because they apparently don't keep a call history on your account) and generally waste hours on the phone waiting while they talk to their supervisors about the next steps. And the notebook wasn't even for me - it was for my nephew attending university.

      Fuck you, HP. Neither me nor any company I work for will ever buy or recommend HP hardware again.

    19. Re: Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is an extraordinarily lame reply.

      Really, you don't get analogies? Or you wish to nit-pick over semantic trivia?

    20. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish... by beernutz · · Score: 1

      People are leaving the Microsoft toolset. [citation needed] Seriously though, .net is hugely popular and powerful. C# is getting really interesting.

      --
      (stolen from DaBum) I am dyslexia of borg - your ass will be laminated.
  5. Won't work by Ty · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This won't work for many of the most popular types of games, including FPS. WASD + mouse input will always outperform dual joysticks.

    Also, I'll be damned, as a PC player, that I want to hear chatter from 12 year old kids rattling on about my mother's vagina. Because of the price point of PC systems, there seems to just be far fewer twits like that.

    1. Re:Won't work by bigdady92 · · Score: 1

      Microsoft is finally supporting KB and Mouse on the Xbox. There are beta testings going on right now with Xbox Insider program:

      https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-one-keyboard-and-mouse/

      Yes it's for minecraft, but it's a start.

      --
      Wheel of Time: Book by Book and Sumview (summary review) Bigdady92 style: http://bigdady92.blogspot.com/
    2. Re:Won't work by EvilSS · · Score: 1

      Also, I'll be damned, as a PC player, that I want to hear chatter from 12 year old kids rattling on about my mother's vagina. Because of the price point of PC systems, there seems to just be far fewer twits like that.

      You must not be playing many games with randoms and voice chat on PC if you think that. Hop into any PUBG match if you want to be relieved of that myth.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    3. Re:Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For players on gamepads they usually have aim-bots to help them be competitive with K+M players.

      Otherwise it would be a slaughterfest.

    4. Re:Won't work by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      Because of the price point of PC systems, there seems to just be far fewer twits like that.

      I don't know about that. I tried out a few different MOBAs a few years back and even though they're all on the PC, there were plenty of idiots being jackasses in chat or doing other things to ruin the game for everyone else. Maybe that's just a consequence of those games typically being free to play and having very little in the way of hardware requirements though.

      I think Blizzard might have gotten it right with hearthstone where you can only communicate with your opponent through a set number of emotes, none of which involve fucking their mother or hoping they die in a fire. I never really got into the game (it's basically a card game like Magic the Gathering only online) but I didn't ever have to deal with someone being an absolute cancer nugget.

    5. Re: Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Absolute cancer nuggets in hearthstone are called ropers

    6. Re: Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      PUBG has more players than DotA2. Playing a round puts you in contact with a wide slice of the gaming population.

    7. Re:Won't work by Khyber · · Score: 1

      "WASD + mouse input will always outperform dual joysticks."

      Depends. How high can you crank the sensitivity on that joystick? In all the keyboard+mouse games I play, my mouse sensitivity is jacked so high (on purpose) that I never need to move the mouse more than 4-5mm to get a full 360 turn. High sensitivity + acceleration on a joystick could achieve the same effect, and only requires roughly the same amount of muscular control - barely any.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    8. Re:Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You must be awful. What the fuck is the point of being able to spin around 360 degrees? 180 degrees is all you need, and lower sensitivity might allow you to actually hit something afterwards.

    9. Re:Won't work by SScorpio · · Score: 1

      So nice of them to give us a feature the Dreamcast had.

    10. Re:Won't work by Cederic · · Score: 1

      12 year old kids rattling on about my mother's vagina

      I encountered one of those on Overwatch at the weekend. I responded with calm polite wit and s/he could only manage 'shut up. shut up. shut up' after that.

      I muted my microphone and laughed.

    11. Re:Won't work by NoZart · · Score: 1

      Nah, they are just better distributed to some genres. The LoL crowd for instance are far more toxic than anything i got on console ever. Console ranters are just funny and ignore-able, some of the PC crowds made me leave the respective game for good. (Until i started to use muting capabilities)

    12. Re: Won't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LoL has one of the most toxic communities ever.

      - Toxic LoL player

    13. Re:Won't work by zlives · · Score: 1

      umm so a box with tiles interface and a keyboard and mouse. nice!!

    14. Re:Won't work by Khyber · · Score: 1

      "What the fuck is the point of being able to spin around 360 degrees?"

      Found the n00b who knows jack shit about circle-strafing.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  6. It's the same old Microsoft by tietokone-olmi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Inviting everyone to come join them in a walled garden Microsoft itself controls. It's not like their online service wasn't available to paid subscribers only, the low-level protocols undocumented and proprietary.

    1. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Guspaz · · Score: 1

      There's already crossplay between Nintendo/Microsoft/PC platforms for games like Rocket League, doesn't seem to be any walled garden involved. Sony is currently the only one blocking any crossplay.

    2. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      Sony is blocking crossplay? Explain Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV.

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
    3. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And this is surprising how? Not specifically that it's Sony that's not playing ball, but that the company in the dominant position isn't willing to help out the underdogs. If Microsoft was in Sony's position they would be behaving exactly the same way.

    4. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by tbannist · · Score: 1

      And this is surprising how? Not specifically that it's Sony that's not playing ball, but that the company in the dominant position isn't willing to help out the underdogs. If Microsoft was in Sony's position they would be behaving exactly the same way.

      That's just not true... We know from history that Microsoft would way, way worse.

      --
      Fanatically anti-fanatical
    5. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you have to have a Microsoft Live account on your non-MS gaming platform, yes, then you are entering their walled garden.

      Also, why would I like to have crossplay? The whole deal with a multi-player gaming platform is that I have friends lists, notifications when they come online, groups so I can play with people that are in my clan/platoon/whatever that are not in my personal friend list, messaging, voice chat (preferably with friends in other games so we can coordinate to play together in the next match), etc.

      How does Rocket League offer these functions? If I just want to play with random nobodies, would I even care if they all sit on just one platform? And if I want to play with friends that does not have the same platform as I, won't I be missing all the above features?

      Personally I hate playing multiplayer games without being able to talk to my team mates, so unless every developer want to implement their own gaming platform in-game to support what I believe is minimum level basic functionallity, cross platform gaming is totally uninteresting for me.

      Off course MS pushes for this. They now have a platform that is far behind in the number of users and they want to boost interest in the Xbox. Do you think they will keep supporting this if the Xbox become the dominant platform? If so, you really are gullible. Microsoft has a terrible track record when it comes to endurance. They jump onto the bandwagon with a service or product and then lose interest rather quickly. I am amazed that the Xbox has been alive for so long, then again they had their troubles with the Kinect so it was a rather bumpy ride anyway.

    6. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by chispito · · Score: 1

      Inviting everyone to come join them in a walled garden Microsoft itself controls.

      Are you new to this whole game console thing?

      --
      The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
    7. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Khyber · · Score: 1

      "Sony is currently the only one blocking any crossplay."

      Uhhhh, what? I'm pretty sure my Final Fantasy XIV has crossplay. Why, yes, I'm playing with PS4 users on my PC.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    8. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by tepples · · Score: 1

      As far as I'm aware, those two titles are highly uncommon* exceptions to Sony's general policy not to allow PlayStation users to play with Xbox users. For which game, other than a major Square Enix MMORPG, has any developer convinced Sony to make an exception?

      * I'm hesitant to say "rare" because that's a Microsoft brand.

    9. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What walled garden are they inviting you to in this? This is all about tearing down the walls.

    10. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      also remember that 11 use to run on the early xbox veriants as well, and ms turned SE down for later gen consoles.... otherwise 11 and 14 would have been triple platform

    11. Re:It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congrats, you found the one game they allow. Everything else, they are very vocal about not allowing crossplay.

    12. Re: It's the same old Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not true. Paragon is multi platform crossplay as well.

  7. Embrace by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sounds like the embrace phase of "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish". Microsoft must think people have short memories.

    Maybe they'll allow Steam on Xbox... (says with a straight face)

    1. Re:Embrace by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Sounds like the embrace phase of "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish". Microsoft must think people have short memories.

      Maybe they'll allow Steam on Xbox... (says with a straight face)

      Exactly what I came here to post.

    2. Re:Embrace by dstyle5 · · Score: 1

      Maybe they'll allow Steam on Xbox... (says with a straight face)

      Why would anyone with a closed environment with a storefront allow a competitor in? Would Valve let anyone open a competing store in Steam? Blizzard in Battle.net? EA in Origin? Sony in the PlayStation store? Nope.

  8. Halo by anoob7000 · · Score: 1

    If I were Sony and Valve, I'd say "We'll consider it as soon as you release Halo for the PC and PlayStation." :)

    1. Re:Halo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought that Halo had been available for Windows for well over a decade now.

    2. Re:Halo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I played Halo on PC years ago. It was fun at LANs.

      Try again.

    3. Re:Halo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They are. Its called Destiny 2.
      Dont know what the crossplay sit is for that.

    4. Re:Halo by sethaw · · Score: 1

      The original Halo was available on PC but most of the later Halo titles are only on Xbox. The latest fps Halo game is only on Xbox. Halo Wars is on the PC but it's a RTS.

      However, all Microsoft Studios 1st party games are now supposed to be part of UWP and available on the PC. The next fps Halo game should also be on PC as well.

    5. Re:Halo by Khyber · · Score: 1

      AND PlayStation.

      Try again when you understand qualifiers.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    6. Re:Halo by anoob7000 · · Score: 1

      I hope you understand that I was joking. I've been waiting years for a Halo release on the PC, and I know Microsoft will never release it on a competitors platform.

  9. Let me get this right by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    MS is inviting all these people to do MS's work for free, and for MS's benefit. What an honor.

    1. Re:Let me get this right by PingSpike · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "Microsoft invites competitors in positions of strength to cut their own throats."

  10. Lowest common denominator now even lower by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Imagine that PC games would not only be limited by console intrinsic limitations, but now it would also be limited by the lowest common denominator in consoles (Yes, I'm looking at you Nintendo).

  11. Want real cross play by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Then allow cross play on Linux, BSD and Macs.

  12. Don't do it by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 0

    It's a trap. Get an axe.

    --
    Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
  13. Looking forward for this by fluffythedestroyer · · Score: 1

    I'm looking forward to kick some console peasant ass with my keyboard and mouse while they struggle with their gamepads. Muwhahaahha. On a serious note, I'm happy about this, more players in games overall. The more we are in games the more fun we have...and less waiting for a match.

    1. Re:Looking forward for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, I'm sure console players want to get destroyed by PC players with a built-in advantage.

    2. Re:Looking forward for this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With most games on PC / Console competitive play, the console players are given aim-bots in the game so they don't get slaughtered by people on PCs. Otherwise it would be a blowout even if the console player was top skill and the PC player was mediocre.

    3. Re:Looking forward for this by gameboyhippo · · Score: 1

      Yup. You'd totally destroy those Sonic Mania players or Street Fighter players with their weak gamepads.

  14. I waiting for the cheerleaders... by MrKaos · · Score: 3, Funny

    cartwheeling in from stage left and stage right, big smiles and pom poms, kicking their legs out like dancers, shaking their stuff screaming EMBRACE, EXTEND, EXTINGUISH!

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  15. Crossplay means kigurumi/anime gao by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Crossplay is what those weird, plastic-headed doll like costumes you see wandering around the anime fests do. Kigurumi/anime gao is scary. I thought it was some animatronic anime girl, until I realized it was an actual person. I can't figure out how those people breathe, since there are no nostrils or facial openings in the front.

    I do know that they don't speak at all, and whatever you do... do NOT look at them directly in the eyes.

    1. Re:Crossplay means kigurumi/anime gao by ctilsie242 · · Score: 1

      What does happen if you look at them in the eyes? They blink?

    2. Re:Crossplay means kigurumi/anime gao by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 1

      What does happen if you look at them in the eyes? They blink?

      As long as they aren't crossplaying Weeping Angels, then it may be safe?

      --
      Jumpstart the tartan drive.
  16. Crossplay makes sense... kigurumi/anime gao by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not sure if my message got eaten, but there are kigurumi people at anime cons that walk around with plastic anime girl heads and skin-suits. That is what I think of when I read about "crossplay".

    I still don't know how one breathes or sees with those masks, since there are no openings in the front, but who knows...

  17. It's a trap! by kbg · · Score: 1

    It's a trap!

  18. Awww, being last always helps by Imazalil · · Score: 2

    While I agree with MS that full cross-platform play should be a thing, lets be clear about MS's intentions. They're loosing badly to Sony on console sales, and well, Windows Store is a tiny spec compared to Steam. They weren't making any noise about this last generation when they were much closer (maybe even leading, I haven't kept up with the numbers) in market share.

    Kinda like Internet Explorer was just fine as was when it had the market share, but once it started getting dumped by people MS realized that maybe web standards/interoperability were a "thing they should do".

    They also know full well that this would be much harder for Sony to pull off than it is for them as Xbox & Win10 share quite a bit. Maybe Valve can ask MS to provide support for all this (and Direct X 12) for older version of Windows before they come on-board.

  19. Country and western by kbg · · Score: 1

    "Mike Ybarra, vice president of Xbox, told VG247 that it's happy to talk to the likes of Valve and Nintendo when it comes to getting multiplayer games working across multiple platforms, not just between Xbox One and Windows."

    ELWOOD: What kind of music do you usually have here?
    CLAIRE: Oh, we have both kinds -- country and western.

    1. Re:Country and western by SScorpio · · Score: 1

      Looking at the Splatoon 2 community, I'm not sure letting the people who actually play Nintendo games online into the general population is the best decision.

  20. Game Developers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why not just let the developers of the game choose the online platform for their games? I mean seriously I've been reading stories as of late where Game X's online player base is split because different consoles don't like sharing their users. Consoles shouldn't be making that choice, it's the game designer that sets the rules for their game. Microsoft doing this doesn't help that in the long run.

    1. Re:Game Developers by BronsCon · · Score: 1

      So wait, in a story about Microsoft trying to tear down the walls between consoles and PC and encourage cross-play... you say game designers should be able to allow cross-play (or not) if they so choose. Then, you say Microsoft pushing to make that a reality doesn't help that?

      I think, then, that you should never look at what Sony is doing. Your head might explode.

      --
      APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
    2. Re:Game Developers by Cederic · · Score: 1

      I think it's because the main consoles are crippled by design to only allow games to connect to the paid-for gaming network, interaction with which is controlled by the console manufacturer.

      So as a game developer you can either work within their constraints or miss out entirely on sales to that platform. Cross-platform play isn't going to happen in either instance so you're not helping your customers at all by restricting your market, and there are strong financial incentives to avoid being the game that challenges the hegemony of the console companies.

  21. Keyboard/mouse coming soon by ET3D · · Score: 1

    For those who are worried (or gloating) about control equality, keyboard and mouse control will soon be available for the Xbox.

    1. Re:Keyboard/mouse coming soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Effectively making Keyboard/Mouse mandatory in all FPS multiplayer. No more couch gaming for you Xbox one gamers. Unless they make it possible for gamers to stay in EZ-mode (console to console only) I don't think this will be a popular change.

    2. Re:Keyboard/mouse coming soon by cmdr_klarg · · Score: 1

      For those who are worried (or gloating) about control equality, keyboard and mouse control will soon be available for the Xbox.

      Hmm, maybe I'll actually be able to play on my son's Xbox now. I just can't get used to the controller.

      WASD + mouse is too ingrained, plus I grew up with the simple NES controller.

      --
      THE SOFTWARE, IT NO WORKY!!!
  22. lol, very opportunistic of them to ask now by HalAtWork · · Score: 5, Informative

    MS was asked many times to do cross platform networking, FFXI (MS refused, Sony did it square skipped MS with FFXIV), Borderlands 2, Steam w/Portal 2 on 360 (MS refused, Sony did it on PS3)

    MS gave this reasoning via Kotaku: "Here's a Microsoft spokesperson saying "no," while promoting how awesome the Xbox 360's online service is: "Xbox Live delivers the best entertainment experience unmatched by anyone else, with 35 million actively engaged members. We have a high level of expectation for our game developers to ensure that all Live experiences remain top notch. Because we can't guarantee this level of quality, or control the player experience on other consoles or gaming networks, we currently do not open our network to games that allow this cross-over capability.""

    Now that they need players on Xbox Live and Windows Store and are having trouble making inroads in those areas, they're panhandling.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
    1. Re:lol, very opportunistic of them to ask now by Kjella · · Score: 2

      Pretty much par for the course, it's always the underdog(s) asking for compatibility, interoperability and so on to break into the market. The top dog is giving it lip service or coming up with excuses with how it hampers innovation and creates a poor customer experience. Occasionally during the toppling an actual industry standard appears more or less by accident, unless it's just an oligarchy designing it like DVDs but pretty much all business alliances are temporary. Which means that yesterday's friend is now your enemy or vice versa. Or even your frenemy.

      First IBM was the enemy and Microsoft the hero. Then Microsoft the enemy and Apple(?) the hero. Then Apple the enemy and Google the hero. Then Google the enemy and so on, round and round it goes. If Microsoft wants to open source ASP.NET Core and Apple wants to open source Swift they're a friend today, tomorrow they're back to spyware and walled gardens. Or even doing both at the same time in different markets because they're top dog in one and the underdog in the other. It's basically "king of the hill" for adults, if one big kid tries to hold it many small kids will knock him down.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    2. Re:lol, very opportunistic of them to ask now by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's basically "king of the hill" for adults, if one big kid tries to hold it many small kids will knock him down.

      Sounds like a competitive market working as intended.

      Now, we just need to lower the barrier to market entry so that we get more choices at lower prices.
      Perhaps give any new companies a 5-year holiday from all hardware and software patents?

  23. Make it so that windows store is not needed or get by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    Make it so that windows store is not needed or get rid of the sand boxing so that game can do the same things that can be done with steam.

    Main things are
    workshop
    SLI and Crossfire (windows store seems to have limited support for it)
    disable VSync
    non borderless fullscreen modes like ( Exclusive Fullscreen)
    mod's
    user maps
    mouse / keyboard custom bind software
    why need to take control of the folder as admin to mod? steam games are not forced to setup.
    games are forced to supports cloud saves??

  24. Could someone translate for me? by roystgnr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "I don't care about where they play, I just want people to have fun playing games because that's just better for the industry,"

    sounds like it ought to mean

    "We'll still support future Minecraft releases on Mac, Linux, and older Windows versions after all; sorry about the confusion at E3!"

    but I'm guessing it actually means

    "I'm lying. I'm lying right now. Isn't it fun that I can lie to your face, and you can't even call me on it or I'll just give someone else the "story"? Now type my lies for me, stenographer. Maybe tell your kids to take a few classes in economics rather than journalism, huh?"

    1. Re:Could someone translate for me? by Kaenneth · · Score: 1

      It worked to become president.

    2. Re:Could someone translate for me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And to become an side note in the history books
      * First woman nominated to run for president
      * First First Lady to be subpoenaed by a Federal Grand Jury
      * First First Lady to publicly support her husband getting random BJs in office
      * First female on the Walmart board of directors

      I know Trump can seem pretty awful sometimes, but at least he doesn't have the political connections to blackmail everyone who stands against him and his only real driving factor is his own ego. HRC would have been bought and paid for by the highest bidder, domestic or abroad.

    3. Re:Could someone translate for me? by blind+biker · · Score: 1

      but I'm guessing it actually means

      "I'm lying. I'm lying right now. Isn't it fun that I can lie to your face, and you can't even call me on it or I'll just give someone else the "story"? Now type my lies for me, stenographer. Maybe tell your kids to take a few classes in economics rather than journalism, huh?"

      Holy shit man, you are brilliant. I love your brain, I really do.

      --
      "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
  25. MS has to be bugged by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Aside from the fact that consoles can perform nearly as well, it's hard to see how they compete against Nvidia
    longer term. Not only as far as performance but in the concentration of value in the single PC part that the video
    card represents. What other part (Intel CPU?) has as much influence on the price or value of a PC? MS has to be
    a little bit concerned about the complete commodity nature of their offering. They still command the volume aspect
    but I am a bit skeptical that they can afford many more screw ups with their OS. The idea that Windows is a
    necessary evil for gamers has been around for a while now. Nvidia and Intel dominate the value proposition
    in high end PC's already. MS isn't going to change that without a fight. (Does the PSU cost as much as the OS?)
    Unfortunately for MS, people that don't need all that power don't need the OS either.

  26. Console games are self-contained by tepples · · Score: 1

    There's no reason they can't put a macro editor and keyboard support into a console version.

    Other than that console games are self-contained. This means each studio would have to design a macro editor for each game, with only the capability that the studio can imagine, and each publisher and Microsoft would have to sign off on each macro editor. On a less closed platform such as Windows Home or Pro, a third party can develop a macro editor and make it available to several games. To put it another way: It's like iOS before iOS 8 introduced support for third-party floating keyboard apps.

    1. Re:Console games are self-contained by Khyber · · Score: 1

      "This means each studio would have to design a macro editor for each game,"

      I've been able to program my X-Arcade with macros for at LEAST a decade and use that controller on consoles (fighting games.)

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    2. Re:Console games are self-contained by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Other than that console games are self-contained. This means each studio would have to design a macro editor for each game,

      I don't think that anything you said there was true. Console games are no longer self-contained, they use of OS services for access to the hardware since they're just PCs like any other PC, but with a different interface. Therefore, the macro functionality could certainly be built right into the OS, which is providing the keystrokes to the application anyway.

      I also think that this claim is irrelevant, since on the scale of game development complexity a macro editor is a 1 out of 10.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Console games are self-contained by tepples · · Score: 1

      Console games are no longer self-contained, they use of OS services for access to the hardware

      I meant that console games are "self-contained" in the sense that iOS applications are "self-contained": using operating system services but not system-wide third-party services. The definition I intended was that used in the App Store Review Guidelines:

      2.5.2 Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code, including other apps.

    4. Re:Console games are self-contained by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I meant that console games are "self-contained" in the sense that iOS applications are "self-contained": using operating system services but not system-wide third-party services.

      That still has nothing to do with this, because the macros would appear to the game like any other keyboard input.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Console games are self-contained by tepples · · Score: 1

      And a game's developer can choose to ignore all keyboard input outside fields like "character name" and "chat message", instead requiring use of the controller.

  27. Controller lockout chip by tepples · · Score: 1

    what's to stop logitech (or whoever) from making a keyboard / mouse that allows programmable functions?

    Microsoft would deny Logitech use of the authentication chip required to get the Xbox One console to recognize a controller. Both Xbox One and Xbox 360 use a lockout chip to reject unauthorized controllers.

    1. Re:Controller lockout chip by SScorpio · · Score: 1

      But there are 3rd party devices that just require you to plug in a XBO or PS4 controller into them so they can authenticate. They when let you use a keyboard and mouse along with setting up macros.

      https://www.amazon.com/CronusMax-Cross-Cover-Gaming-Adapter-Windows/dp/B013E2KD5M/

  28. lol, very opportunistic of them to ask now by HalAtWork · · Score: 2

    They refused with FFXI, FFXIV, Borderlands 2, Steam when Valve were trying to get Portal 2 cross platform multiplayer/voice etc. Sony accepted by the way.

    Of course now lagging behind online with Xbox and Windows Store they are shamelessly doing a reversal...

    Here's a classic quote from back in the day, the same kind of thing they're chiding others for saying currently, via Kotaku:

    "Here's a Microsoft spokesperson saying "no," while promoting how awesome the Xbox 360's online service is: "Xbox Live delivers the best entertainment experience unmatched by anyone else, with 35 million actively engaged members. We have a high level of expectation for our game developers to ensure that all Live experiences remain top notch. Because we can't guarantee this level of quality, or control the player experience on other consoles or gaming networks, we currently do not open our network to games that allow this cross-over capability.""

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
  29. Wow by ArhcAngel · · Score: 1

    All I can say is...Hypocrites!

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
  30. everyones missing the real point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This would force PC makers to patch according to what MS lets them on the XBOX thus shitting all over any PC game that needs to maintain crossplay.

  31. Crypto in the controller by tepples · · Score: 1

    In your case, the macro functionality is built into the controller, not the game or the operating system. But I thought the Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles used a cryptographic challenge and response to ensure that only controllers approved by Microsoft can be used with Xbox games, specifically to avoid macros in the controller. How does the X-Arcade Xbox One adapter work around this?

    1. Re:Crypto in the controller by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are two approaches that I've seen in the hardware that I own: one is to provide a USB port on the device for plugging in an official controller as a source of valid crypto, and the other is purely software based: the device beats the crypto by itself but it can have its firmware upgraded from a PC in case Microsoft patches whatever method it was using through a dashboard update (which indeed happened to me, and the manufacturer promptly provided an update to restore functionality).

  32. MICROSOFT? by Isendur · · Score: 1

    Hey that's not a bad idea! Here's a better one: how about you make crossplay of those windows 10 only games with older versions of YOUR operating system. Take your time, I'll wait. If anything Steam is the platform I think should be the one to connect all these platforms. Not some WinStore.

  33. lol by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    nintendo and crossplay ... ha ha

    1. Re:lol by Guybrush_T · · Score: 1

      It is not as ridiculous as it sounds, and the recent success of Pokemon Go showed it. For games like Mario Kart, there is no reason not to make it available on Android. Yes, not on Xbox as the public is not the right one. There can be some games tied to the console controllers but Mario Kart and such ... totally playable on a phone, tablet, or android TV. They're wasting huge amounts of money not doing so.

  34. Sorry for double post. by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

    Sorry for posting this twice :( I thought there was a problem with the first and didn't see it come up when I refreshed. Apologies.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
  35. How will they stop Logitec? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Cryptographic controlled access to the system for only allowed peripherals.

    And each game will still have to support other control.

    When a mouse is supposed to pretend to be a joystick, how does a quick swipe get transformed into a joystick movement where the limits are set by the axis readings?

  36. More accounts. by DrYak · · Score: 1

    That makes no sense... Cross platform means you can play on your Playstation WITH people on XBox, so you don't have to buy the platform you don't want.

    This is *Microsoft* we're talking about.

    You can bet that "Crossplay" will practically implemented as games released for other platform being also able to log-in onto microsoft's accounts (XBLive or whatever it's actually called).
    Meaning that now even gamers owning only Nintendo Switch and PlayStation4 will need to sign into XBLive and pay monthly fee (or get their public data sold - I actually didn't bother to check what is Microsoft revenue model) if they want to be able to play these Crossplay games.

    Meaning that Microsoft has extended their revenue stream from "only their XBox One owners" to "absolutely all on-line player of their multiplayer game, no matter what console they use".

    I.e.: bring more people into their (paid) walled garden.

    ---

    Otherwise it won't make any sense economically :
    the whole point of gaming console is to lock players into walled gardens where they can be milked for their money.

    If suddenly the gamer don't need anything from microsoft to enjoy online multiplayer, Microsoft would be actually losing arguments for their lock-in and thus losing revenue stream from potential gamer (who decide to play games on the non-Microsoft consoles using a 3rd party network)

    ---

    That of course won't prevent game developers from making game that attempt to organise multiplayer by going through external 3rd party server not owned by any console manufacturer (e.g.: all the ports of Quake that have ever popped-up on networked consoles) (except that some didn't have mass storage to download newer content onto, so some ports could only play using the default maps. e.d.: Quake 3 on DreamCast vs PC).

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
    1. Re:More accounts. by gfxguy · · Score: 1

      But, at this moment in time, you have no idea about what MS wants, but it doesn't really matter to you if MS benefits because they're actually giving people what they want so long as MS benefits you can complain about it. The article says NOTHING, gives NO details about anything, so all anyone here is doing is making up straw-man arguments and then attacking MS.

      The problem is MS has done a lot of shitty things over the years, and continue to do so with things like forced Windows 10 upgrades and built in spyware included in it. But lately MS has done a lot of good things, too. Yes, the point is to make money, but in more ways now than ever they are trying to make more money by actually making customers happy. That's not a bad thing. Until you know the details about this cross-play "initiative," it's really unfair to make up stuff to complain about.

      --
      Stupid sexy Flanders.
    2. Re: More accounts. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your cynicism is not undeserved, but I'm optimistic on this one. Microsoft might actually be thinking long term.

      You see, console sales aren't where the money is. Consoles are always a loss leader. Games are the money generators, and cross platform play pushes game sales.

      Imagine that I'm a PC gamer and I buy ShooterGame 2017 on Steam. I'm now an ambassador for sales, and cross play expands my target audience. If I convince my xbox friends to buy a copy, MS gets their money.

      Delving into cynicism though, this could be extra beneficial for game companies with the recent trend towards full priced games with microtransactions. Games are letting you pay for the game, and then pay some more once you own the game to unlock certain in-game items, usually through random draws or "loot crates" in game.

      I'm certainly not a fan of this trend, but it would explain a company's willingness to play nice with others. If they can just get players in the door, they can start printing money with these microtransaction gambling systems.

    3. Re:More accounts. by Altrag · · Score: 1

      I wouldn't be surprised per se, but at the same time this is entirely unnecessary to drive the project.

      If a game is released on multiple platforms, people will buy it for whatever platform they have and will play against people who are also on that platform. That is, under the current model Microsoft makes near zero revenue from non-XBox users for non-exclusive titles. The number of people who would go out and buy an XBox just to play with a friend when they've got a perfectly good PS4 is very slim -- groups of friends who really want to play together will generally already be using the same console.

      Now of course, paid or not, MS will be tracking your gaming habits -- at least of games which support this new functionality -- because its 2017 and we collectively volunteered to give up our privacy years ago. But I would almost hazard that requiring an additional XBL subscription (on top of each console vendor's own XBL-equivalent since they all have one by now) would actually be detrimental in the sense that nobody (or at least very few) would bother. Expect it to be more along the lines of XBL for Windows or EA's Origin where its just a second level of login (and data tracking) but otherwise tries to stay out of the way.

      My guess though: This is more of a ploy to beat down Sony a bit. After the recent news with Minecraft's "Better Together" update, and in particular the part about basically everyone except Sony signing on for it, MS is probably looking to be in a favorable leadership spot when it comes to cross-platform tools (and again, cross-platform data tracking.) And again in that light, charging extra for the service would be kind of detrimental to the goal.

  37. Macros and cost by DrYak · · Score: 1

    what's to stop logitech (or whoever) from making a keyboard / mouse that allows programmable functions?

    Answer: Hardware cost.

    Nearly* all modern keyboard with "programmable macros" are actually plain fucking stupid bland keyboard with a few extra hardware keys,
    and it's the driver that came on the CD which was packed with it that installs a Windows-only software on the PC that handles the macros.

    i.e.:
    plug the exact same keyboard on Linux (or any console which supports USB keyboards),
    and you won't get your recorded macros, you'll simply get a "extended key 145 pressed" signal on your OS.

    Now nothing prevents you from using a keybinding system to do macros on *that* platform (there are certainly key macros software for GNU/Linux and Android).

    ---

    * : But I've actually have seen keyboard with HW macros.
    The most complicated I've ever seens was a macro board from Saitek that was able to read barcodes printed on the back of the paper keyboard overlay and automatically upload new macro settings.
    That one would work with any console accepting its PS/2 connector (e.g.: DreamCast) or a PS2-to-USB converter box (e.g.: a Wii with the updated firmware supporting USB keyboards)

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  38. Do you have your Union Card? by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    Do you have your Union Card?

  39. Halo 5 on PC... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...when?

  40. Happens on PC by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

    It happens on PC where gamepads and M/K are matched up, people of varying frame rates, ping times, abilities, matchmaking seems to work fine. This is not even a problem.

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
  41. And that is irrelevant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since you replied to a poster not the article.

    Again, you didn't read the post to which you replied and now you're doubling down on the moron by fabricating an excuse (and it is an excuse, not an explanation or a reason).

  42. Don't you remap keys? by HBI · · Score: 1

    I am a touch typist, and since the Duke Nukem 3D days of the 1990s, I have always programmed my left hand keys the same:

    F - Forward
    D - Backward
    S - Crouch
    A - Jump
    G - Use
    Y - HUD/Map/whatever
    T - Use 2 (for whatever needed)
    R - Reload (or other for non-gun and run)
    E - Throw grenade or similar
    W - Strafe right
    Q - Strafe left
    Tab - Run

    Right hand is on the mouse, with the left button firing, right button alt-fire, and wheel for selecting weapons. I also map the number keys on the main keyboard for weapon switches as necessary.

    Always worked like a charm for me and keeps my touch typing skills intact.

    --
    HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
  43. Go read up on who Mike Ybarra is. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hint: He was a genre defining developer for Sierra back in the 80s-90s.

    While Microsoft might not have much credibility, Ybarra did and perhaps still does.

    Go check out Alien Legacy for DOS as an example.

  44. Ybarra isn't a traditional M$ exec. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As I said in another post above: His development cred dates back to the 80s-90s on the PC and possibly other microcomputers. Look up Alien Legacy.

    This guy is an OG game developer.