MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Microsoft is planning on integrating Xbox Live on iOS and Android platforms, a new report suggests.
The firm is keen to expand Xbox Live’s cross-platform functionality to iOS and Android out of a desire to “win back” game developers from its competitors, the Verge Reports.
In order to attract developers, the report claims that Microsoft will be lowering its certification and permission requirements for Xbox Live and offering better tools so that network functionality that can be add to all new games.
A job advert that mentioned bringing connectivity to Microsoft’s rival mobile operating systems is where its plans were first spotted.
The job has since been removed, but read: “We will create a modern framework that is open-source, lightweight, extensible, and scalable across various platforms including Windows Store, Windows Phone, iOS, and Android."
Microsoft has made steps to bring its gaming services to other devices outside of its own Windows Phone handsets and Windows tablets. Xbox SmartGlass is already available on Microsoft, iOS and Android devices, and allows users to browse content on their Xbox One, view game stats and message friends.
Although a number of games have SmartGlass compatibility, the app acts as a companion device rather than a unit for cross-play gaming, as seen with PS4 and PS Vita games.
