Microsoft X Cloud is launching on Sept. 15th on Android as a part of Game Pass Ultimate

[Steve-French]

Microsoft will launch its game streaming service, known as Project xCloud, on September 15th exclusively on Android devices. Project xCloud will be bundled as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, priced at $14.99 per month, with a promise of more than 100 games available on Android tablets and phones. Game streaming will be limited initially to Android; iPhone and iPad users will have to wait.

Microsoft is also partnering with Razer, PowerA, 8BitDo, and Nacon to create accessories and controllers that are ready for xCloud. You’ll also be able to use existing Xbox One controllers or even Sony’s DualShock 4 controllers to play games on xCloud.

Full article here...

This is kind of cool, of coarse you will need a good internet connection, but it seems like a good service for people on the go. Or for kids when parents want to watch tv. From the sounds of it Apple was being cunty about it. Something about their store policy.

 

[LuchaBear]

That cloud power is finally here

It’s launching in 22 countries next month, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Has huge potential especially when it comes to India.

 

[Madmick]

This is kind of cool, of coarse you will need a good internet connection, but it seems like a good service for people on the go. Or for kids when parents want to watch tv. From the sounds of it Apple was being cunty about it. Something about their store policy.

Apple stock is still soaring in 2020, to my surprise, but it's all because of services. iPhone sales remain unexpectedly strong, but they realize that golden goose is molting. Tom Hanks recently blew up their subscriptions to Apple TV by 33% with summer Blockbuster numbers for his movie Greyhound. Total stud. He's still got it.

For this reason, Apple is going to be as hostile as possible to Cloud-based gaming services like Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Microsoft xCloud. They don't want the competition for Apple Arcade. I don't see any reason they couldn't launch their own cloud-gaming service, but apparently they have no appetite to be a middle man. Not as much money in it. They want the whole pie.

 

[LuchaBear]

Apple stock is still soaring in 2020, to my surprise, but it's all because of services. iPhone sales remain unexpectedly strong, but they realize that golden goose is molting. Tom Hanks recently blew up their subscriptions to Apple TV by 33% with summer Blockbuster numbers for his movie Greyhound. Total stud. He's still got it.

For this reason, Apple is going to be as hostile as possible to Cloud-based gaming services like Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Microsoft xCloud. They don't want the competition for Apple Arcade. I don't see any reason they couldn't launch their own cloud-gaming service, but apparently they have no appetite to be a middle man. Not as much money in it. They want the whole pie.

I think it will be Microsoft vs Amazon eventually. Amazon has more of those stream hosting data centers (https://www.computerworld.com/artic...s-the-best-cloud-platform-for-enterprise.html) and they got the massively popular Twich. Microsoft has studios ready to start pumping out games and are ahead of the game but Amazon could easily start buying up exclusive deals with major studios and get right into it.

Sony was forced to make a deal with Microsoft to use their data centers in the future ( https://news.microsoft.com/2019/05/16/sony-and-microsoft-to-explore-strategic-partnership/) which puts them in an odd position but it also shows how much of a serious threat everyone sees Amazon as.

 

[LuchaBear]

The Xbox game-streaming service, xCloud, is preparing to launch later this year for everyone, and now we've learned a little bit more about it. The Verge is reporting that the service will use Xbox One S consoles to power the platform at launch before switching to Series X blades in 2021.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-streaming-service-xcloud-will-switch-to-serie/1100-6478740/

 

[Madmick]

I think it will be Microsoft vs Amazon eventually. Amazon has more of those stream hosting data centers (https://www.computerworld.com/artic...s-the-best-cloud-platform-for-enterprise.html) and they got the massively popular Twich. Microsoft has studios ready to start pumping out games and are ahead of the game but Amazon could easily start buying up exclusive deals with major studios and get right into it.

Sony was forced to make a deal with Microsoft to use their data centers in the future ( https://news.microsoft.com/2019/05/16/sony-and-microsoft-to-explore-strategic-partnership/) which puts them in an odd position but it also shows how much of a serious threat everyone sees Amazon as.

Cloud gaming would seem to be all about who has the most and strongest servers, so it would indeed seem these two are the frontrunners. If Amazon really wanted to endear themselves to hardcore PC gamers I wonder if purchasing Discord might be a salubrious acquisition. Then merge or integrate it with one's Twitch profile/account which would be the bedrock of their streaming service. They could continue to sell PC games to these users from Amazon while also incentivizing Amazon Prime subscriptions with the game giveaways on Twitch, and users could easily import all of their friends from Discord to chat with either on PC or gaming via the Cloud. After all, Discord also has the chat technology figured out better than anyone, and obviously that isn't so easy to do because we've seen so many major corporations fail at it for years. Why build it when you can buy it. On the other hand, Amazon recently tanked their first major game release because it didn't include voice chat. Bizarre.

One also wonders how they would sell it. Would they require you to buy the games (from Amazon) like Stadia and GeForce Now, and then let you use the cloud streaming so long as you are a Twitch Prime user? Or would they offer a depot of games to stream requiring an separate subscription fee, or perhaps an upgrade of Twitch Prime to Twitch Prime Platinum?

Google keeps plugging away, though it's tough to believe they'll stick to Stadia given their track record with floundering projects, but Harmonix (Rock Band), Uppercut Games (City of Brass), and Supermassive Games (Until Dawn) are an impressive trio of studios to boast are developing exclusives for their platform. Stadia is also the first to start offering streaming via 4G & 5G which I'm sure Scrooge McDuck could afford given the inevitable data fees from your wireless carrier.

Of course, Apple has so much fucking cold cash they could probably build a larger server network than either in a meager several years. I don't know, that may be infeasible even for them. Microsoft has been building this infrastructure for decades.

 

[blaseblah]

RIP Stadia

 

[LuchaBear]

 

[HereticBD]

RIP Stadia

Doesn't something have to be alive, before it can die?

 

[method115]

This has to be a huge blow to MS. Iphone makes up a huge market of users in the US which is where the Xbox sales best. Was really looking forward to this feature and where it would go but I have no plans to get off Iphone.

 

[LuchaBear]

This has to be a huge blow to MS. Iphone makes up a huge market of users in the US which is where the Xbox sales best. Was really looking forward to this feature and where it would go but I have no plans to get off Iphone.

I think the actual reason Apple doesn't want to play nice is because of their future plans in the gaming business. They're doing the same with Stadia.

 

[method115]

I think the actual reason Apple doesn't want to play nice is because of their future plans in the gaming business. They're doing the same with Stadia.

That's a shame but I guess it makes sense from Apples perspective.

 

[The Diplomat]

I think the actual reason Apple doesn't want to play nice is because of their future plans in the gaming business. They're doing the same with Stadia.

Also because MS is still a major rival of theirs.

Apple kind of skipped the gaming sector entirely though. They are going to have to play catch up in that world.

 

[LuchaBear]

Also because MS is still a major rival of theirs.

Apple kind of skipped the gaming sector entirely though. They are going to have to play catch up in that world.

Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo vs Apple vs Google vs Amazon

 

[milliniar]

This is being leaked to get the masses push back on apple, in favor of MS.

 

[Madmick]

Apple's excuse for why they won't support Cloud Gaming is comical. Don't expect support to be incoming. Microsoft cut off testing on iOS completely. There will never be third-party cloud gaming on iOS devices.

Apple confirms cloud gaming services like xCloud and Stadia violate App Store guidelines
Here’s the official Apple statement:

The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers. Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers.

Our customers enjoy great apps and games from millions of developers, and gaming services can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guidelines applicable to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appearing in charts and search. In addition to the App Store, developers can choose to reach all iPhone and iPad users over the web through Safari and other browsers on the App Store.

 

[Madmick]

This is being leaked to get the masses push back on apple, in favor of MS.

Huh? I don't see it.

Cloud streaming is most attractive on mobile platforms that lack the local gaming hardware power. Microsoft isn't a competitor to Apple in the smartphone business. I'm sure the Surface tablets will support xCloud, but the competing company that benefits the most is ironically the one that also is hurt the most: Google.

Great for Android smartphones (and Android HTPC devices like the NVIDIA Shield). Terrible for Stadia.

 

[method115]

So I found out moonlight is available to use on the Apple store. I don’t see why MS’s service would be turned away.

 

[LuchaBear]

So I found out moonlight is available to use on the Apple store. I don’t see why MS’s service would be turned away.

That's not really the same thing and they already have that for Xbox, it's called OneCast.

https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/onecast-xbox-game-streaming/id1398182637

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Apple's excuse for why they won't support Cloud Gaming is comical. Don't expect support to be incoming. Microsoft cut off testing on iOS completely. There will never be third-party cloud gaming on iOS devices.

Apple confirms cloud gaming services like xCloud and Stadia violate App Store guidelines
Here’s the official Apple statement:

That is comical. What’s hilarious is the reference to the web and Safari because you could extend their policy to absurd levels to say Safari allows you to access content on the web that hasn’t been vetted by Apple.

Pricks