Project xCloud

It’s Open Season Against Apple’s Totalitarian App Store Ecosystem

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft threw some shade towards Apple earlier this week when they abruptly ended the xCloud Beta on iOS stating that “Apple stands alone as the only general purpose platform to deny consumers from cloud gaming and game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. And it consistently treats gaming apps differently, applying more lenient rules to non-gaming apps even when they include interactive content.”

Now Epic, has jumped into the fray, leading to a delisting on the Apple App Store for its highest grossing title and a big fat lawsuit.

It all started when Epic, the developer of a massively popular digital daycare system called Fortnite began offering discounts on the game’s V-bucks currency, if gamers specifically bypassed Apple’s App Store, (as well as Google Play).

This discount amounted to up to 20 percent savings on purchases, while Epic gets to cut out Apple’s 30 percent slice it gets from third-party devs.

Hmmmm… I wonder which I should select.

Apple then retaliated by delisting Fortnite from their App Store.

A few hours later, Epic filed a lawsuit against apple, then released the video below, a solid middle finger and a hardy fuck you to Apple.

For those who are too young to remember (which is anyone who plays Fortnite), this is a parody of Apple’s iconic 1984 Super Bowl commercial for the Mac, which was a dig towards Microsoft. Now, Epic used it to poke at Apple.

Not good times for Apple. There is obviously some tension between them and the gaming industry. Two big companies have come out against Apple’s App Store policies and that can only open up the floodgates to more.

[Source: Forbe’s Marc Gurman via Twitter]

Microsoft in Standoff with Apple – Halts xCloud Public Tests on iOS

Posted on by Spieler Dad

You may have heard that Microsoft’s Project xCloud and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Are merging on September 15, 2020. That said, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will have access to 100 games from the cloud on their Android phone or tablet.

That’s great for Android owners, who are content sending out green texts, but what about sensible and considerate iPhone owners, like myself?

According to an excellent post from Windows Central, Microsoft has decided to shutter xCloud testing on iOS, allowing the program to expire because Apple is being a real douche.

It’s no secret that Apple has a restrictive approach to the walled garden known as iOS. This can be good at times, because it keeps a lot of shitty apps away from users. However, the Windows Central Post goes into great detail on how Apple’s practices when it comes to the iOS can be viewed as anti-competitive.

Not cool Apple. It’s a given that Microsoft and Apple are going to negotiate terms to get xCloud onto iOS, with the same bells and whistles found on Android. Let’s hope that a resolution is found quickly.

[Source: Windows Central]

Phil Spencer Throws Water on the Concept of a Streaming Only Xbox – For Now

Posted on by Spieler Dad

There has been a lot of speculation of what Microsoft has in store for the next generation. There’s rumors of multiple SKUs, with varying specs. There was even rumors of a streaming only next-gen Xbox powered by xCloud.

Well folks, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, there will be one SKU. In an interview with Gamespot, Spencer has confirmed that the team is “not working on a streaming-only console right now…”

Spencer goes on to state that the team is looking to focus on xCloud as a gaming option on as many devices as possible.

“We have more compute devices around us than we’ve ever had, whether it’s your phone, a Surface Hub or an Xbox… The world where compute devices are gone and it’s all coming from the cloud just isn’t the world that we live in today.”

Gamespot

It’s all about giving you options apparently, for Microsoft. Game at home on a powerful console, or on the road via your phone or tablet, It’s an interesting plan, if Microsoft can deliver.

[Source: Gamespot]

Microsoft Kick-Offs E3 2019 With Sexy New Xbox Hardware, Games, Services

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft kicked off E3 2019 on Sunday announcing plenty of games, but know what’s sexier than games. HARDWARE! Hot sexy hardware makes my blood boil, in good way.

Good stuff. Who doesn’t like POWER and short load times.

Project Scarlett comes out in the Fall of 2020, and by then Microsoft will have come up a terribly convoluted name. My money is on Microsoft Xbox One X-2 The Ocho.

Oh, and when the Scarlett comes out, you can become reacquainted with an old friend:

But wait, there more! I’ve been hankering for a new Xbox One Elite controller, which I love, but I’ve heard rumours that a new version was in development. Well here you go:

The Series 2 Elite controller, which you can pre-order today will last 40 hours on a single charge. The unit ships with a charging dock and costs a ridiculous $179.99. This thing is over-engineered and stupid expensive, and I want it so bad it hurts. I just pre-ordered mine because I have no fucking self control.

Of course there are games to be had as well, and new ways to play them on Project xCloud. Microsoft did not have a ton to say about xCloud, but what they did talk about looked promising. The best part, we’ll be able to try it out this October.

Like the Google Stadia, xCloud will let you play Xbox titles across multiple devices, whether its phones, tablets, TVs or computers. Unlike Stadia, xCloud will also allow you to stream games directly from your own local Xbox.

Yes, Sony did do this with PlayStation Remote Play, but that was pretty shitty. Hopefully Microsoft’s solution will be better.

As for games, there was plenty announced as well as Gears of War 5 (launching September 10) which everyone knew about, but looks good nonetheless. Kait is still a smoke.

Lastly, there’s Keanu…

Keanu is a national treasure. I’d buy Cyberpunk 2077 just because of Keanu. He’s so wise, like an American Buddha. Cyberpunk 2077, from CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077, launches April 16, 2020.

As for the rest of games well, here’s a handy list…

  • Bleeding Edge
  • Ori and the Will of the Wisps
  • Minecraft Dungeons
  • Blair Witch
  • Keanu Reeves In Cyberpunk 2077
  • Spiritfarer
  • Battletoads
  • RPGTime: The Legend of Wright
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition
  • Wasteland 3
  • Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga
  • Dragon Ball Z Project Z Action RPG
  • 12 Minutes
  • Way To The Woods
  • Forza Horizon 4 Lego Speed Champions
  • Gears Pop
  • State of Decay 2: Heartland
  • Phantasy Star Online 2
  • Crossfire X
  • Tales of Arise
  • Borderlands: Commander Lillith and the fight for Sanctuary
  • Ring of Eldin

All in all, a fun Sunday and good stuff coming to fans of the Xbox.

You’ll Be Able to Play Every Xbox One Title on Project xCloud

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Microsoft has gone all in when it comes to backwards compatibility on the Xbox One and this will continue into the next generation and Project xCloud.

According to the official Microsoft Xbox Wire news site:

“There are currently more than 1,900 games in development for Xbox One, all of which could run on Project xCloud. Developers creating those games continue working normally – building with the tools they have – while we do the work to make their games accessible to the broadest set of players possible.”

All of this, of course will run off of Azure tech, which Sony will apparently be using for their streaming services as well according to the recently announced strategic partnership with Microsoft.

If you as me, I’m not sold on this whole streaming feature yet. I’m a cynical old school gamer who fears change.

However, if you give me the best of both worlds, letting me play locally but give me the option to stream when the conditions are optimal, then you have my attention.

[Source: Xbox Wire]