Microsoft to bring Xbox Live to Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS devices.

Microsoft is readying a new level of Xbox Live support for Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android devices.

The Windows maker teased the reveal, due next month at GDC 2019, via the industry event's own conference schedule (thanks, Windows Central).

The move will see Microsoft integrate Xbox Live achievements, friends, clubs and game history into non-Xbox and Windows PC platforms for the first time.

"Xbox Live is about to get MUCH bigger," Microsoft's description reads. "Xbox Live is expanding from 400m gaming devices and a reach to over 68m active players to over 2bn devices with the release of our new cross-platform XDK.

"Get a first look at the SDK to enable game developers to connect players between iOS, Android, and Switch in addition to Xbox and any game in the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs."

You can already sign-in to your Xbox Live profile on Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms within certain Microsoft games (the cross-platform Minecraft being the most obvious example).

This deeper integration goes way beyond that, though - to tie non-Microsoft games on non-Microsoft platforms into Xbox Live as well. So, for example, if you're playing Warframe on Nintendo Switch, you could earn Xbox achievements. Or if you're playing Fortnite on mobile, you could browse your Xbox friend list to find people to play with.

(Sony's refusal to allow Xbox Live sign-ins within Minecraft - and therefore support for the game's cross-platform version - means it's unsurprising there's no sign of PlayStation here.)

It's a hugely ambitious play from Microsoft - and it all remains to be seen how it will work. Perhaps the mobile version will work via the Xbox app, updated to function like GameCentre on iOS which tracks when you begin playing games?

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019 ... tch-mobile

This was one of my predictions for E3 last year (ITK heaty). It's a no-brainer for both Nintendo and Microsoft here, MS get their content on more platforms and Nintendo benefit from Microsoft's superior online structure. I can really see Nintendo jumping all in with Xbox Live if this trial proves successful. Achievements for Mario Odyssey? In!

Thoughts?

I would LOVE this! Lack of achievements in Nintendo games weakens the experience somewhat for me but I can't believe this will happen.

There are already achievements for Minecraft on Switch by the way, it's not completely unprecedented. This is just plans to roll out on a larger scale.

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Interesting! Microsoft can't guarantee they will win the next-generation but this is a clever move because it means if they're successful their online service becomes universally used across all gaming platforms.

However there is a challenger! Epic Games are also creating an online service to be used crossed platform and launched in 2019. It has cross platform saves and entitlements (achievements & trophies), friends list, voice chat and will work on the 7 key platforms PC, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch.

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/epic-is-making-fortnites-cross-platform-services-free-for-all-developers/

If Xbox Live achievements could be added to non Microsoft published games, eg next Zelda and Mario, then they would be onto a winner.

Sounds like big news to me!

I wonder if this could mean we see some MS exclusives/back catalogue appear on Nintendo devices via Streaming?

I don't have an Xbox, but anything Xbox related on PC sucks, so my first reaction was a bit of a groan.

But, Nintendo's infrastructure is unbelievably bad, easily the worst online service going.

So it might still be a big improvement...? I'm hopeful.

Albear wrote:Sounds like big news to me!

I wonder if this could mean we see some MS exclusives/back catalogue appear on Nintendo devices via Streaming?

This was what my mind immediately went to. Is there already a PS Now equivalent for Xbox games?

I'd straight up kill a man for Viva Piñata on my Switch.

I would easily pay a tenner a month in order to play some 360 games (or some Xbox One indie titles) that could run on the Switch. But that's not going to happen.

The thing is though, I just don't really know what Nintendo get out of it. Yeah their online service becomes better, but I've never had the impression that this is an area they are massively bothered about, and I imagine most of their hardcore following probably paid the £17 already regardless of the quality of the service just so they could play Splatoon or Smash online. I'm not sure having LIVE is going to drive players online.

It's not improving their online system per se either. It's MS licensing theirs out to developers. If they wanted to learn about LIVE, it's right there for them to see already. They've had about 15 years to learn from it.

It benefits MS much more. They license out LIVE to developers who want to use their infrastructure, thus getting income from people who aren't even working on their games or their console. They get a backdoor on to the Switch and become who you depend on to go online in certain games. It'll get more people over to Xbox and their system then I think drive people towards Nintendo's. Nintendo generally has a sizeable following that follows them where they go and put up with their... eccentric online system from 1768. Anyone on the fence and persuaded by the MS stuff, is going to be on their side of that fence and adherent to their infrastructure.

It benefits the user and MS, but Nintendo would be better off just bloody upgrading its own stuff.

And Mario Odyssey is lacking without achievements? You sir, have my pity.

I don't care about 'achievements'. I'd rather games not have them in, tbh.

But I'd love it if Nintendo adopted Microsoft's online structure. Lord knows they need help.

Super Lucky’s Tale is meant to be coming to Switch, I think Microsoft are going to grow the Xbox brand as a service rather than a box under the telly going forward. That would make much more sense, you’re more likely to get people on your service than you are buying your box. Sony’s ceo is was saying that PSN was going to be the biggest focus of them going forward too. It makes sense to put your service out there on as many devices as possible. Live and PSN must make more money than selling the consoles do.

Parksey wrote:And Mario Odyssey is lacking without achievements? You sir, have my pity.

Mario Odyssey actally does have achievements once you get far enough, though :shifty:

I didn't read this as Xbox Live coming to Switch. I read it as Xbox Live being accessable through games that are released on Switch due to them being cross-play enabled. Like More Heat Than Light already mentioned is already happening on Minecraft for Switch.

Keep your achievements away from my beautiful and pure Nintendo games

I'd love achievements in Nintendo games to be honest and if you don't like said achievements then.... Just don't bother going for them?

I don't see issue - they don't ruin the games, if you think they do then that's your problem - however, I will say there are exempts. Fallout NV promises player that they'll earn something if they keep Hardcore on all the way to end of main quest, but all you get is achievement. That's only one I can think of.

That being said I don't think Nintendo games will have achievements, but rather games that's already on Xbox / PC like Minecraft, Rocket League to name a few.

But if Nintendo games do happen to have achievements well, colour me surprised and happy gamer.

While I’m not fussed about achievements (never have been to personally), it would be good if this helps Nintendo’s online functionality. They could learn a lot from Microsoft, games with gold for example considering Nintendo’s back catalogue of games, better servers (from the sound of it some games need them, I’ve not bought the online yet so can’t comment from my experience).

Very intrigued to hear more about it in the coming months.

Quick edit, would be amazing if this got the Switch some Rare games back on a Nintendo platform.

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Parksey wrote:And Mario Odyssey is lacking without achievements? You sir, have my pity.

I've yet to play it but I'm sure it's great without! However there are many people who would want an achievements system on Switch and Microsoft have repeatedly said that it promotes brand loyalty.

Robbo-92 wrote:Quick edit, would be amazing if this got the Switch some Rare games back on a Nintendo platform.

Do a swapsy for BotW and Mario O for Xbox!

Photek wrote:
Robbo-92 wrote:Quick edit, would be amazing if this got the Switch some Rare games back on a Nintendo platform.

Do a swapsy for BotW and Mario O for Xbox!

Once upon a time people would have never thought the two would get on so well, who knows what the future might hold

Probably not the Xbox getting BoTW and Odyssey anytime soon though :lol:

Robbo-92 wrote:Quick edit, would be amazing if this got the Switch some Rare games back on a Nintendo platform.

I would absolutely love to see Rare Replay +, including the Donkey Kong Country games, Diddy Kong Racing and Goldeneye.

OrangeRKN wrote:Keep your achievements away from my beautiful and pure Nintendo games

This. Or make them turnoffable. I have an addictive and completionist personality that has already screwed me over on some games: I’d like to keep that as far away from most titles as possible thank you very much.

Also, somebody mentioned ‘brand loyalty’: I’d rather Nintendo continued to cultivate that through belting games rather than Achievements.

Microsoft to bring Xbox Live to Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS devices.

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