Microsoft Is Building A Streaming Service Similar To Netflix For Xbox Games
Microsoft is building an online streaming service similar to Netflix for video games. It promises to bring console-quality gaming to any device'.
The Redmond-based company says that gamers will be able stream blockbuster movies to their Xbox, laptop, or mobile.
It's not clear if players will need to pay for the specific games, or be able to access the entire library for a monthly cost similar to video on demand services.
Microsoft doesn't believe streaming will completely replace dedicated consoles however, the company did announce that a new Xbox hardware was in the in the works.
Microsoft is building an online streaming service similar to Netflix for video games that promises to provide 'console-quality gaming on any device'. During its E3 presentation, Microsoft also unveiled 50 new games to fans - an unprecedented feat for the Redmond-based firm.
Phil Spencer, Xbox boss has teased the upcoming video game streaming service, which claimed to allow gamers to play console-quality games on any device.
Executive President of Gaming Phil Spencer revealed Microsoft's plans to build a cloud-based service during its press conference at the video game expo E3 in Los Angeles.
Spencer said: "Our cloud engineers are working on an online gaming network that will unlock console-quality gaming on any device.
We are committed to enhancing your experience wherever you want to play on - your Xbox or PC, as well as your phone.'
Cloud Gaming is a way players can have access to a large library of titles without having to download or install every one.
Cloud gaming lets console-quality games to run on devices with less power, such as smartphones. All the heavy lifting is performed on a server and not on the device used by the player.
This is very different from traditional video console games which require processing everything locally on the disk and thus require high-end chipsets.
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Xbox boss Spencer didn't reveal an exact date for the launch of the service in his keynote, however he has previously teased that Microsoft's game streaming service could be launched prior to 2020.
Rival PlayStation isn't the only one to be interested in game streaming services. Rival PlayStation also offers the option of streaming games to your devices.
Dubbed PlayStation Now, the subscription service costs PS12.99 ($20) a month. It allows users to stream more than 500 titles to their Sony PS4 or Windows PC.
Sony launched its cloud gaming service after it acquired rival services Gaikai and OnLive.
However, despite its focus on streaming video games, Microsoft has not abandoned its hardware plans.
It's unclear if players will be required to pay for access specific titles, or will be able to access the entire library for a flat monthly fee, like Netflix
But despite teasing streaming services, Microsoft revealed plans to continue to build Xbox hardware, with new 'consoles' already in the pipeline
Xbox boss Phil Spencer remained tight-lipped on any specifics about the forthcoming console, however, the executive did reveal that backwards-compatibility with older video games would play significant role for the new hardware
Phil Spencer used the E3 keynote to announce the Xbox One's sequel and also hinted that Microsoft could have a number of new consoles under development.
The same team that delivered unprecedented performance with Xbox One X is currently deep into designing the next Xbox consoles, where we will once more keep our promise to set the bar for console gaming,' he said.
Spencer remained tight-lipped on any specifics about the console, however, the executive did reveal that backwards-compatibility with Xbox One games would play significant role for the new hardware.
He told Eurogamer: "As you think about the next generation of hardware that will eventually come, so many of the large, large games we play currently will exist when the next hardware is released.
You're unlikely to see an "2" after all that, as people are trying to get you to the next version of those games. In the old model of games being shipped, getting played and then going away - and that was the way it was for all the games - a console switch was an easy step-function.
We went through it with Minecraft. We didn't launch Minecraft 2 on Xbox One to force everyone to upgrade to the next console. That's not what Minecraft users would like to see. They want Minecraft to improve.
When you think about games like PUBG and Fortnite and you consider these huge ecosystems and games that will be out there, when new hardware is released, players are still going to want to play those games and it's going be important for us as platforms to be able to support these games.'
Microsoft has unveiled Halo Infinite which is a brand new installment in its wildly popular Halo series. It will only be available on Xbox-branded consoles.
Microsoft also showcased an unprecedented amount of new games for its players during its E3 presentation.
The company released a variety of exclusive titles, including new additions to its Halo and Gears of War series.
Spencer described the company's "most diverse gaming portfolio" as the new list of games.