Microsoft announced the formation of a new Cloud Gaming division in its ranks, and for very obvious reasons, the main objective of this division is to create a new cloud gaming platform that will allow gamers to stream Xbox titles directly from the internet to their TVs, and/or their PCs.
The division is headed by Kareen Choudhry and, according to an interview with The Verge, is formed from the acquisition of many gaming-related companies since 2015. “Phil (Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming) really wanted a dedicated team focused exclusively on the gaming cloud,” Choudhry said.
Moving forward; Choudhry proceeded to say that Microsoft hopes that the creation of its new division would “entice more developers and game publishers to use to Microsoft’s cloud services.”
To date, Ubisoft is one of the few developers that currently uses the software company’s cloud services for its tactical PVP title, Rainbow Six: Siege, across the PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 4.
Microsoft also believes that there is going to be as many as two billion gamers in the world, and that they want “to reach each and every gamer.” To that end, Microsoft believes that they can achieve this via its subscription-based Xbox Game Pass.
While it is good to see taking the initiative to develop a cloud-based streaming service for its Xbox titles, they are sadly not the first people to think of it. Sony has its PlayStation Now streaming service, and it’s been active for many years in the U.S., U.K, and Japan for several years now. Unfortunately, that service still isn’t available in Malaysia, and there’s nothing to suggest Sony Malaysia will be bringing it into the country anytime soon.
That having been said; this could be Microsoft’s chance to actually bring in some form of the Xbox ecosystem into the country.
(Source: The Verge)
