Microsoft moves Xbox Live to Android and iOS to expand Xbox's reach

Microsoft has announced that it will bring Xbox Live to Android and iOS devices, as part of its efforts to expand the Xbox ecosystem beyond its own hardware. Xbox Live is the online service that powers multiplayer gaming, achievements, friends lists, and other features for Xbox consoles. By moving it to mobile platforms, Microsoft aims to make it easier for developers to create cross-platform games that can connect players across Xbox, PC, and mobile devices.

According to Microsoft, the new Xbox Live SDK for Android and iOS will allow developers to integrate Xbox Live functionality into their mobile games, such as login, privacy settings, player profiles, and achievements. The SDK will also support cross-play and cross-progression, meaning players can switch between devices and platforms without losing their data or game progress. Microsoft says this will create "a more cohesive experience for players."

Microsoft has already experimented with bringing some Xbox Live features to mobile games, such as Minecraft and Gears Pop. However, the new SDK will allow any developer to access the full set of Xbox Live services for their mobile games. Microsoft says this will benefit both developers and gamers, as developers can leverage Xbox Live's existing infrastructure and user base, while gamers can enjoy more social and immersive gaming experiences on their mobile devices. .

Microsoft's decision to move Xbox Live to Android and iOS is part of its broader strategy to make Xbox more accessible and inclusive for gamers of all types. The company recently launched initiatives like Project xCloud, which aims to stream console-quality games to any device via the cloud, and Xbox Game Pass, which offers a subscription service to access a library of more than 100 games on Xbox and PC. By bringing Xbox Live to mobile platforms, Microsoft hopes to further expand Xbox's reach and attract more players to its ecosystem.

Microsoft has announced that it will bring its Xbox Live SDKs to Android and iOS devices, allowing game developers to integrate the popular multiplayer platform into their mobile games. This means players will be able to access their Xbox Live achievements, friends lists and gameplay across different devices and platforms.

However, one platform that was noticeably absent from Microsoft's announcement was the Nintendo Switch. Previous reports suggested that Microsoft was also planning to extend its Xbox Live services to Switch, potentially allowing cross-play and cross-progression between Xbox, PC, and Switch games. But when asked about the Switch, Microsoft was silent.

Why did Microsoft exclude Switch from its cross-platform vision? Is it due to technical difficulties, commercial conflicts or strategic considerations? Or is there still a chance that Microsoft will surprise us with a Switch announcement in the future? We don't know for sure, but we can speculate on some of the factors that could have influenced Microsoft's decision.

One possible reason is that Microsoft wants to maintain its competitive advantage in the console market, where the Switch is a formidable rival. The Switch has sold exceptionally well, surpassing the lifetime sales of the Xbox One in less than four years. By keeping Xbox Live exclusive to its own devices and PCs, Microsoft could hope to attract more players to its ecosystem and boost its hardware sales.

Another possible reason is that Microsoft and Nintendo have different views on how to handle online gaming. Nintendo has been notoriously behind when it comes to online features like voice chat, cloud saves, and matchmaking. Its own online service, Nintendo Switch Online, is relatively cheap but also has limited functionality. Microsoft, on the other hand, has invested heavily in building a robust and reliable online infrastructure for Xbox Live, which also comes with a higher price tag. It may be difficult for the two companies to reconcile their different approaches and standards to online gaming.

A third possible reason is that Microsoft is focusing on other ways to expand its gaming reach, such as cloud streaming and game subscriptions. Microsoft has been developing its own cloud gaming service, xCloud, which will allow players to stream Xbox games to any device with an internet connection. It has also been expanding its Xbox Game Pass service, which offers access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. Both services could potentially reach more players than Xbox Live alone, especially in emerging markets where consoles are less prevalent.

Whatever the reason, it seems that Microsoft has decided to leave the Switch out of its cross-platform plans for now. But that doesn't mean we won't see any collaboration between the two companies in the future. After all, Microsoft and Nintendo have already shown some goodwill by allowing cross-play in games like Minecraft and Fortnite. And who knows, maybe one day we'll see Master Chief or Banjo-Kazooie on Switch.

Microsoft announced Thursday that it will bring Xbox Live to Android and iOS devices, allowing players to access their Xbox profile, achievements, and friends across different platforms. This means you can earn Xbox Live rewards and show off your gaming skills on your mobile phone, as well as your PC and Xbox console.

This is part of Microsoft's Game Stack initiative, which aims to provide developers with a complete set of tools and services to create and run games on any device. Game Stack includes Visual Studio, Mixer, DirectX, Azure App Center, Visual Studio Code, and Havok, among others. Microsoft says the Game Stack will help developers innovate, scale and connect their games with millions of players around the world.

One of the benefits of Game Stack is that it allows developers to use Xbox Live features in their games without needing an Xbox Live Gold subscription. This means more players can enjoy the social and community aspects of Xbox Live, such as chat, clubs, leaderboards, and multiplayer matchmaking. Microsoft says it will also offer more flexibility and options for developers to customize their Xbox Live integration based on their game genre and audience.

Microsoft has already partnered with some game developers to bring Xbox Live to mobile games, such as Asphalt 9: Legends, Minecraft, and Gears POP! from Gameloft. Microsoft says it will reveal more details about Game Stack and Xbox Live for mobile devices at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) next week.