Xbox Live powered By Microsoft to launch on iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch

Microsoft has made development plans for a new cross-platform at GDC 2019 with the goal of bringing Xbox Live support to games on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, in addition to PC and Xbox consoles. They already have a few games with Xbox Live support across mobile devices, but mostly through Minecraft, which will require an Xbox Live login on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.

Initially, Microsoft had reserved Xbox Live support across those platforms for its own games, but now, it aims to have Xbox Live incorporate cross-platform play that will allow developers to integrate friends lists, multiplayer functionality, and achievements into existing mobile games. The important part of Microsoft’s new gaming plan is the zeal to reach outside of its traditional PC and Xbox markets, and bring software, services, and games to players on rival platforms. They are also working on an xCloud game streaming service that will stream Xbox games to PCs, consoles, and mobile devices later this year.

That’s not all, Microsoft also plans to leverage its powerful PlayFab suite of backend tools as part of this package as they aim to streamline the process for developers building live games across multiple platforms.

Microsoft has described this plan as much bigger. “Xbox Live is expanding from 400 million gaming devices and a reach to over 68 million active players to over 2 billion devices with the release of our new cross-platform XDK,” says the GDC listing.

They plan to create a Netflix for video games where a subscription gives you access to endless gaming regardless of the platform or your location.

If Microsoft eventually follows through with its plans to handle the social and multiplayer aspects of games, its gaming subscription will be very promising. There is a lot to be learnt about Microsoft’s plans at the Game Developers Conference when it starts next month on March 18th. We will be looking forward to this!