Microsoft is preparing for life without Xbox

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Microsoft has launched a cloud gaming division, which could signal the firm is setting up for a future without dedicated Xbox console hardware.

A report from The Verge reveals Microsoft is encouraging developers and game publishers to make use of Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure. The company says Ubisoft titles like Rainbow Six: Siege are currently leveraging the tech.

In the short term, the firm may be looking to create a rival to Sony’s PlayStation Now service, which leverages cloud tech to enable games to be played efficiently on lesser hardware.

Microsoft’s cloud-based approach could make it possible for multi-player modes within Xbox-quality games to be available across a number of devices and platforms.

“We’re looking at ways to make that content available to anyone no matter what device they’re on,” said Kareem Choudhry, who’s fronting the new division.

“We believe there is going to be 2 billion gamers in the world, and our goal is to reach every one of them.”


No more Xbox hardware?

Long term it’s likely to tie into Microsoft’s admission that console gaming generations will become a thing of the past.

That content is likely to be delivered via a subscription service, a greater expansion of what Microsoft currently offers through the Xbox Game Pass platform.

Choudhry added: “What we’re doing with game pass and creating a subscription-based product, where over half the content is third-party content. I would say we’re getting started from a subscription product perspective.”

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Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/microsoft-preparing-life-without-xbox-cloud-3426044

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"Microsoft is preparing for life without Xbox" :: Login/Create an Account :: 14 comments

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TomPosted:

Of course the age where consoles are irrelevant will come. Glad to see Microsoft is already ahead of it.

MushroomElmPosted:

Weeb
Ninja I don't know why people are acting shocked, we all knew it was coming, consoles will die sooner or later. PC is just to customisable, you have freedom and not to mention 90% of the time, better graphics. Overall I think this move is for the best. Rest in peace Xbox.


In what situation do consoles have better graphics? If our graphics are not looking so good compared to console there is a 99.9999% chance that there are tons of pre existing mods to make it look 10x better. Not trying to sound harsh or anything, im just wondering.


Re-read Weeb. Ninja said that the PC has better graphics, NOT the console.

WeebPosted:

Ninja I don't know why people are acting shocked, we all knew it was coming, consoles will die sooner or later. PC is just to customisable, you have freedom and not to mention 90% of the time, better graphics. Overall I think this move is for the best. Rest in peace Xbox.


In what situation do consoles have better graphics? If our graphics are not looking so good compared to console there is a 99.9999% chance that there are tons of pre existing mods to make it look 10x better. Not trying to sound harsh or anything, im just wondering.

GhostPosted:

I don't know why people are acting shocked, we all knew it was coming, consoles will die sooner or later. PC is just to customisable, you have freedom and not to mention 90% of the time, better graphics. Overall I think this move is for the best. Rest in peace Xbox.

MushroomElmPosted:

YA8 Um you know you can boardcast already from the Xbox to the pc.....
MushroomElm
NeeksRoyal Crazy the Xbox has been around for too long now.


The Xbox will continue. This isn't saying they'll cut it out completely. That makes them too much money to just get rid of it out right.
You need to read the bulk of the content.
From what I gather, it'll be a streaming platform for PC's. Much like Playstation Now, if you're subscribed to the content you can stream the library of games on your PC to play them.

Personally, I think it's crap. Tried playing a few games and the quality was sooo bad. I have a nice computer, too. Able to play games at 4K, and my internet is 200 down and 20 up.

Considering Microsoft has the Store on Windows 10, they might allow you to actually download the games directly so the quality is better. We'll have to see how this works out.


I'm talking about their subscription based SOLELY on the PC. Meaning, you don't need an Xbox turned on to stream it.

YA8Posted:

Um you know you can boardcast already from the Xbox to the pc.....
MushroomElm
NeeksRoyal Crazy the Xbox has been around for too long now.


The Xbox will continue. This isn't saying they'll cut it out completely. That makes them too much money to just get rid of it out right.
You need to read the bulk of the content.
From what I gather, it'll be a streaming platform for PC's. Much like Playstation Now, if you're subscribed to the content you can stream the library of games on your PC to play them.

Personally, I think it's crap. Tried playing a few games and the quality was sooo bad. I have a nice computer, too. Able to play games at 4K, and my internet is 200 down and 20 up.

Considering Microsoft has the Store on Windows 10, they might allow you to actually download the games directly so the quality is better. We'll have to see how this works out.

-69Posted:

They need to stop shoving stupid ideas down our throats for money... "We added a uhhh ummm oh Bill what do we do?"

"Add an S or an X"

Take us back to the good old days where it felt like a console was future stuff and it felt like the loading screens were actually inside the xbox. Like the first ever Xbox 360 dashboard, it was amazingly clean and easy to navigate, now it is just full of ads.

MushroomElmPosted:

NeeksRoyal Crazy the Xbox has been around for too long now.


The Xbox will continue. This isn't saying they'll cut it out completely. That makes them too much money to just get rid of it out right.
You need to read the bulk of the content.
From what I gather, it'll be a streaming platform for PC's. Much like Playstation Now, if you're subscribed to the content you can stream the library of games on your PC to play them.

Personally, I think it's crap. Tried playing a few games and the quality was sooo bad. I have a nice computer, too. Able to play games at 4K, and my internet is 200 down and 20 up.

Considering Microsoft has the Store on Windows 10, they might allow you to actually download the games directly so the quality is better. We'll have to see how this works out.

DecyPosted:

AD4M That's the future. Cloud gaming/solution. Cloud solutions is taking over the IT industry, other companies will soon follow!


I agree and if we getting to an even bigger scale its going to just keep getting bigger and better. This is defo the way forward hardware shouldn't have to matter.

AD4MPosted:

That's the future. Cloud gaming/solution. Cloud solutions is taking over the IT industry, other companies will soon follow!