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Microsoft Announces Xbox Live For Any iOS Or Android Game (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the cross-platform-support dept.

Microsoft is bringing its Xbox Live network to iOS and Android devices. "The software giant is launching a new cross-platform mobile software development kit (SDK) for game developers to bring Xbox Live functionality to games that run on iOS and Android," reports The Verge. "Xbox Live features like achievements, Gamerscore, hero stats, friend lists, clubs, and even some family settings will all be available on iOS and Android." From the report: It's all part of a bigger push from Microsoft to make its Xbox games and services available across multiple platforms. Game developers will be able to pick and choose parts of Xbox Live to integrate into their games, and it will all be enabled through a single sign-in to a Microsoft Account. Microsoft is using its identity network to support login, privacy, online safety, and child accounts. Microsoft wants game developers to take a similar Minecraft approach and bring Xbox Live to more mobile games. Some iOS and Android games already have Xbox Live Achievements, but they're only enabled in titles from Microsoft Studios at the moment and this new SDK will open up Xbox Live functionality to many more games.

If you were hoping to see Xbox Live on Nintendo Switch then you might have to wait a little longer. "Our goal is to really unite the 2 billion gamers of the world and we're big fans of our Xbox Live community, but we don't have any specific announcements as it relates to Switch today," reveals Choudhry. Xbox Live on PlayStation 4 also looks unlikely, but Microsoft is open to the idea if Sony is willing to allow it. "If you've watched us for the past few years, we've taken a very inclusive approach," says Choudhry. "Phil [Spencer] has been very proactive on issues like crossplay, cross-progression, and uniting gamer networks, and we're willing to partner with the industry as much as we possibly can."

6 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Embrace, Extend, Extinguish by Luckyo · · Score: 1

    MS got crushed in this generation's console war by Sony, and got crushed in the PC market on its own OS by Valve.

    The only way for them to E3 it that is left, is to get into crossplay.

    1. Re:Embrace, Extend, Extinguish by blackomegax · · Score: 1

      SaaS

  2. Yes, good point by SuperKendall · · Score: 2

    The only way for them to E3 it that is left, is to get into crossplay.

    Although some might confuse your shorthand for the three E words for the E3 game conference, I knew what you meant here....

    Although I also now have the unfortunate image of Balmer in a dress.

    Shaking that off, I agree that they are attempting to steal something of real value from other platforms, the relationships between gamers - I really can't see Sony allowing this. I could see Apple not caring much, as they'd have to care about GameKit in the first place to care about it losing users...

    I really do not see this happening on the Switch either for the same reason.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:Yes, good point by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      Sony of course could nail M$ hard, real hard, include a boot to Sonyx a Sony Linux distribution on the playstation 5, not for gameplay but for everything else most users do. Now that would do real damage to M$, the only thing holding a lot of user to Windows 7 or 8.1 (ESAD windows anal probe 10) are games and the companies associated with PC games have become a real pack of cunts from one end to the end, Steam, Ubisoft, EA, EPIC, Activision, so fuck gaming on the PC and fuck windows 10 and fuck M$. It has all becoming to annoying to bother, keep in mind we are talking computer games, like they are only for fun and all this psycho unlimited greed is simply not worth bothering with for just a bit of gaming fun.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    2. Re:Yes, good point by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      I really do not see this happening on the Switch either for the same reason.

      Actually, it could happen, and it likely will happen much deeper than you might realize. The Nintendo community isn't really that big of a community - friend codes and the like and all in all it's pretty janky. Even on the Switch.

      People talk about their friends on PSN or Xbox Live all the time, not on Switch.

      What's likely happening is Nintendo and Microsoft are in discussions on online play and handling friends and communities and quite likely there will be some arrangement where Nintendo leaves it to Microsoft and Xbox Live to handle and manage friend lists, chat, etc.

      (Face it - what was that oddball thing Nintendo suggested for chat?)

      Sony of course could nail M$ hard, real hard, include a boot to Sonyx a Sony Linux distribution on the playstation 5, not for gameplay but for everything else most users do.

      '

      Sony could, but they won't, because like any company in the lead, they'll be arrogant and believe they will be handed the crown again. (See the PS3). You already see it right now

      Another reason is Linux - Sony's already been burned badly on this, to the point of refunding everyone $20 or so.

      The only reason Sony is involved in crossplay is because of something bigger than Sony - Fortnite. And it took them so long to deal with it that it was obvious Sony was being Sony and wasn't trying to even deal with the problem - just hide and ignore the issue. Just claim Fortnite on PS4 is all you need. Only when it didn't go away after a couple of weeks did Sony give in to "consider" cross play.

  3. or an alternate theory.... by Somervillain · · Score: 1

    is that the new leadership wants to make money and realizes there are more dollars to be made by enthusiastic, satisfied customers than by being evil. Since Balmer left, they've supported Linux and open languages quite well. The old ways of restricted platforms is a complex and difficult task with a lot of risk. That embrace, extend, and extinguish trope is old and hasn't been since since the times when there were a dozen blockbuster video stores in my city.

    This could be a sinster plot to ruin crossplay or this could be a plot to get more people to like xbox live and pay for their services. This could be a plot to sell more microsoft games. This could be a plot to lower their dev expenses. This could be a plot to sell Azure gaming services.

    Which do you think is more likely? They are trying to open up new markets and revenue streams....or plotting an evil conspiracy that no one but YOU saw coming!

    What was profitable for the Bill Gates era really doesn't cut it in the modern landscape. I think Microsoft's new leadership sees that in order for Microsoft to be profitable and grow in the future, it needs to adapt its ways to world and how it is changing. It needs to evolve to find new markets as its old ones languish.