Microsoft will open up Xbox Live features such as achievements, gamerscore,
friends lists, and clubs to mobile game developers with a new software development
kit (SDK). It forms a part of what's being described as a Microsoft Game Stack,
allowing developers to use all of its tools and services for game development. These
include Azure and PlayFab, which let developers build cloud-connected games. It
will also include the likes of DirectX, Havok, Mixer, Xbox Game Studios, Simplygon,
and the aforementioned Xbox Live. This won't be the first time Xbox Live would find
itself in Android and iOS games however, certain features like achievements for
example, are available in Microsoft-published titles like Minecraft and Wordament.
In what should come as no surprise at this point, Microsoft is also open to bringing
Xbox Live for game developers working on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, though it's
unlikely to happen just yet. Though Microsoft cloud gaming boss Kareem Chodhry
hinted at a potential announcement for the latter in the future. "Our goal is to really
unite the 2 billion gamers of the world and we're big fans of our Xbox Live
community, but we don't have any specific announcements as it relates to Switch
today,” he said in conversation with The Verge. "If you've watched us for the past
few years, we've taken a very inclusive approach," says Choudhry. "Phil [Spencer]
has been very proactive on issues like crossplay, cross-progression, and uniting
gamer networks, and we're willing to partner with the industry as much as we
possibly can.
"When you consider how poorly the Xbox One has fared this generation, it only
makes sense for Microsoft to embed its services into as many platforms and games
as possible in order to justify its presence in the gaming space. And while it's great to
see developers have more options, it will be interesting to see how they stack up
compared to other options available at the moment. "That is not where you make
money," Phil Spencer said of gaming consoles.
"The business inside of games is really selling games, and selling access to games
and content in means like that is the fundamental business. So if you open it up, the
more often people can play, the more they're enjoying the art form. It increases the
size of the business." "We want to bring Game Pass to any device that somebody
wants to play on," Spencer said. "Not just because it's our business, but really
because the business model allows for people to consume and find games that they
wouldn't have played in any other space."
