Microsoft wants to further expand its reach in the gaming sector and to do so, it is planning to bring Xbox Live to Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch.
As spotted by a Twitter user named Avers, Microsoft is planning to introduce the cross-platform support for Xbox Live by releasing a software development kit (SDK) at an upcoming gaming developer conference scheduled for next month.
If this isn’t some form of typo this is HUGE NEWS and will change the industry going forward. Xbox Live coming to 2 billion (BILLION) devices with new cross-platform XDK/SDK. #XboxLive #GamePass #Xcloud pic.twitter.com/mjza0JKZRc
— Avers (@Avers_G4GMedia) February 2, 2019
With the release of the SDK, Xbox Live will become accessible to more than 2 billion devices from its current count of 400 million devices.
Xbox Live cross-platform SDK will allow developers to integrate friends, achievements, clubs and multiplayer functionality into existing games.
The GDC listing also says that “first look” at the SDK will be presented by Jeffrey Shi (Principal Program Manager, Team, Microsoft) and Ramsey Khadder (Software Engineer, Team Xbox, Microsoft).
We are not expecting the Redmond-based company to unveil the titles that will be supported on different platforms as of now. But it’s a big leap for the gaming industry, and it could bring a paradigm shift in the industry in the coming years.
The move will allow Microsoft to step outside Xbox and traditional PC gaming to capture mobile users. With Microsoft xCloud, the company’s game streaming service that will be available for trial later this year, it seems like Microsoft has massive plans for gamers.