Microsoft has announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming now has over 10 million players, just behind Nvidia GeForce Now.
Free games? In THIS economy? Well, in exchange for your eyeballs at least. (Figuratively, not literally... although don't give them ideas.)
What you need to know
• Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart recently described how in the future, you may be able to view ads to gain access to Xbox Game Pass.
•Recent Xbox Series X|S code strings we've seen seem to corroborate this, with the ability to earn 15 minute blocks of Xbox Game Pass access in exchange for watching ads.
•Game Pass across PC, Xbox, and Cloud features hundreds of games in exchange for a low monthly fee.
Hmm..... I used to earn GP by way of searching with Bing but I hear the rewards program is being revamped. I still earn points but it seems they did change the amount you get per search. I dont know how i feel about this. It sounds like they are going the Youtube route where right in the middle of something you are enjoying, an ad pops up and you have to sit through it (if it does not have a skip option after 5 seconds).
I pay for my GP access, so this wouldnt really bother me but I can see it affecting plenty of others. It reminds me of the rumor about how some game companies (EA, Ubisoft) were toying with the idea of running ads before you ever get into the game. Like the old days of renting movies from Blockbuster and not being able to skip the previews (yes, some DVD had a non skip option for previews). I pay for stuff so i wouldnt have to deal with ads, but even now they are encroaching the very things i pay a premium for.
This whole thing is just..... a bad idea.
Such a shame cause even if you don't think this is a big deal what's next they put ads on ultimate gamepass and the free one gets more. This is disgusting. Yes even if Sony goes this route I'll feel the same. We got enough ads in this world ffs
You don't say?/S
You mean the company that puts ads on the dashboard, tried to force a camera on Xbox One to push ads is experimenting with ads for game pass access? No. You must be joshing. Lol
Wouldn't put it past them.
Microsoft has launched a new Bing feature that lets you experience Xbox Cloud Gaming supported games just by searching for it.
At Xbox, we’re always looking to make gaming available to more people in more ways. So today, we’re announcing that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available in more places with the Logitech G CLOUD Gaming Handheld when it launches in North America on October 17.
I can pretty much do the same thing with my steamdeck. I get that MS doesn't need to make their own dedicated portable... not anymore. this unit for $300 looks to be pretty decent for other stuff as well, not just xcloud gaming.
Cloud gaming on a handheld, hard pass... Cloud gaming is still pretty terrible even on a dedicated, cable connected device let alone one connecting over wifi. Sounds like someone in charge at Logitech loves the buzz word “cloud” and demanded a handheld be made regardless of whether it was a good idea. I’ll stick with my steam deck.
Stadia will always remain silent because nobody wants the bloody thing. No matter what marketing gimmick Google throws at it to try and entice the would be consumer. People simply don't want it collectors are not going to display a controller to brag to their friends when its more interesting to brag about having the whole entire library of the Sega 32X. Bragging and saying well I own a Google Stadia your friend will probably be thinking yup uh huh you're a sucker who actually bought one. How Google does not take it out back and put a bullet in it still surprises me especially after buying up three studios shutting them down within a year of purchase. And one of those studios releases a game that is broken not sure if its patched yet or not but that does not build up consumer confidence in your product. Plus the games you have a library from Microsoft and Xbox and with Stadia all you have is a magazine rack of games.
"As of 2022, Xbox Cloud Gaming has served over 10 million players " - I can believe that 10M people launched the service at least once, especially after the free Fortnite offer. But regular players? Not a chance. I doubt many have returned after their first few curiosity runs.
Stadia looool