Microsoft has launched a new Bing feature that lets you experience Xbox Cloud Gaming supported games just by searching for it.
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.
@babadivad
Yup. You'd have to pop in the DVD before going to the bathroom, grabbing a snack, etc
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
“even if Sony goes this route I'll feel the same”
This isn’t a “both sides” issue. Sony has never had ads on the PlayStation Home Screen but Microsoft has laden Xbox’s Home Screen with ads since the Xbox 360. Microsoft has put ads on Windows 11 OS! Microsoft is basically the bad guy from “Ready Player One”.
I know that hence the key word If. Sonys never given an indication of this where as ms definitely has.
I mean, it's not never, but it's not like Xbox. Sony has promoted things with icons on the XMB, it's just really rare.
They could do GP free with ads, GP £20 per month without ads, which one would the casual/hardcore choose ?
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We're just having our eyelids forced open more and more every day it feels like.
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.
Getting people locked into subs and advertising to them is what passes as innovation at Microsoft.
At least they're keeping Sony on their toes with the threat of competition
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.
Fact that you could get a steam deck for $100 more and play a wide variety of games without an awesome network connection... Dunno, this device could be ok for around the house I guess, but for a lot cheaper imo. Like $150
The portable market is dead unfortunately. Phones pretty much ended that as we know it. Going from 150M+ units sold for the DS to only 75M or so for the 3DS is why Nintendo combined markets, Phones chewed right into it.
I agree with you for the most part, but the switch has been really successful and I think I read somewhere that hardly anyone plays it docked, so it's not being used as a hybrid but I could be wrong.
You're right in that the market is WAY smaller than it used to be
It would be even better for MS to make GamePass/MS store work on the steam deck. That way you're not locked into just their marketplace. But for an Xbox fan (I don't mean this in a bad way) I can see how a windows based portable that just plays PC game pass/MS store games would be a neat thing indeed
to your comment above, I dont play my oled switch docked. to me its a waste of that screen. If i want to play docked i will use my sons regular switch model.
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.
Well it works great for me. I guess on cloud gaming depends on your net, servers and how far are you from servers. Dunno where the servers are located here in Argentina, but works great for me, feels like is faster response time than playing regular games online with 50-60 latency.
Xbox believes its TV app with Samsung – and no doubt future partnership – will be crucial in making streaming video games via the cloud a mainstream pastime.
Makes sense. In terms of the general population, most people have smart TVs, barely any have consoles.
They just need to expand it beyond Samsung and onto LG as well as popular entry level TV brands.
Fortunately now when they talk about TV it isn’t 2013 Xbox One “TV, TV, TV”.
TV, TV, TV. It's at the heart of Xbox's vision for the future. Yes Microsoft has said it is developing another Xbox console, but the longterm plan is for the TV app to replace the Xbox console.
Xbox said: "Xbox believes its TV app with Samsung – and no doubt future partnership – will be crucial in making streaming video games via the cloud a mainstream pastime."
Cloud-only Xbox is better for the environment and it means the expensive outlay is no longer a barrier to entry for casual gamers. Everybody who has enjoyed and benefited from Xbox Game Pass is part of the success story that has helped Microsoft accelerate its move to cloud-only Xbox.
Yes, the TV is essential to the game experience. So why not include the app with a TV and eliminate the need for the console altogether? Thats a pretty savvy move from a business standpoint. I personally want the box because I prefer having my games local and not streaming from the cloud. I will always want the box. But there are millions of potential customers out there who dont care about buying and hooking up a console to their TV. Not to mention shortages and rising costs for said box. An app on the TV is much more convenient and will open up gaming to many more people. I wouldnt be surprised to see some of these TVs have Xbox branding and be sold with a controller and Gamepass sub included.
One thing that doesnt get brought up much is multi-console owners and how this affects them. I typically have a box in each room in the house by the end of a console generation. This basically eliminates the need to own multiple consoles. I can just pick up my game on any TV in the house without the need for a console in each room. Thats pretty sweet honestly. As long as the cloud holds up, this has massive potential!
I see the tv app as just another option and part of the evolution of gaming. Just as netflix is part of the evolution of movies and spotify is evolution of music.
In each one, they evolved from a different form of delivery / consumption. They didnt replace... just coexist, as you can still consume the old fashioned way if you want.
These conveniences are aimed at a specific demographic and should not be seen as threatening.
The difference now is when they say TV, they mean indie through AAA gaming on your TV - not "lets turn your games console into a cable TV guide".
Hopefully Sony TV's too. I spent a good amount on mine and I'd like to not be excluded just because of the brand.
I'd say Sony TVs are very likely to support this once they expand beyond Samsung - aren't Sony TV's typically Android OS? They'll definitely have an Android app.
Yup, Android OS. You reckon it'll be possible to use the DS5 with xCloud?
I don't know about w/ TV as I don't have a Samsung TV to try this out - but I have used both the DS4 and DualSense on PC xCloud.
If I had to guess, any gamepad that can connect to your TV via bluetooth would work.
It’s all about choices. Cloud is nice for some but I’ll be sticking with consoles.
I dont think it will ever replace, there are too many who still want to own the box. I will never give up my consoles. If Xbox doesnt make them then I will happily own the box of whatever company does.
I assume you’re going to need to buy a remote control for the tv app another one is connection not everyone have a corporate wired internet connection in their home or the router next to their tv. In this day and age we all have everything from robot vacuum to doorbells/ locks connected to the internet 🤷🏿.
Best of luck to Microsoft on the 8 billion gamers( their words in the article 8 billion gamers) chase but I hope they’ll remember that they can’t have it all without attracting the other consoles players and highly educating the casuals.
Surprisingly, the cloud works really great on a standard wi fi connection. Ive got a 150 connection, nothing too fancy, and weve got dozens of devices hooked up at any given time. I have tried the Gamepass streaming on my phone using a controller and really put it to the test by having everything connected and on: multiple netflix streams, while downloading a game on the console, while everyone is on their phones. I was still able to run every cloud game almost perfectly on my phone during all of this. I was shocked it was holding up with no significant glitches!
I have been hesitant to accept cloud gaming as the future, but they are somehow pulling it off. I will always prefer to have my games local with a wired connection for any online gameplay, but whatever voodoo they use to get this working is pretty insane. I have played several full online matches over the cloud and never felt like I was at a disadvantage. Thats something I would have scoffed at even last year. But it is happeneing now.
The issue is 4K content. I've used the xCloud on my phone (3 months for £1) and it was good, but it was 720P content which is insignificant compared to the demands of 4K.
I too use xcloud on my phone (now i use it on steam deck) and the 720p is perfect for the small screen. when i use it through an xbox it is 1080. It was a trip to play flight sim on an old VCR xbox one.
I cant speak for everyone but my dvr/cable box sits under my TV and it has an ethernet port on it that connects directly to my Home PNA. I just ran a cable from it to my smart tv and boom... tv is on a wired internet connection.
Data caps are horrible. I am glad I have Spectrum and they dont have them. I couldnt even imagine. My household would burn up a 1TB data cap in a day!
Im able to stream media and games on my meager 45mbps att service. I have been wanting faster but fiber is not yet available in my area.
Wow, I guess it is really more about the quality of the connection than the speed. A solid 45-50 is better than a spotty 200 all day! Im happy with my Spectrum at a solid 150. It says I only get 100mbps but with my wi fi 6 gaming router I get 150 so I cant complain. Its very solid and almost never has any hiccups.
I will never buy another Samsung TV again after owning several high end LGs. It’s no contest in terms of quality and functionality. Period!
LG OLED displays are at the top of the game right now and the Sony Bravia's aren't too shabby either. Samsung QLED's are quite average.
I grabbed an LG OLED about two years ago, and I could never go back at this point.
They are top tier screens at the moment.
Hmmm, guess you haven't seen the new Samsung OLED tvs yet....hint, they are better than LG.
You might be in the minority who think that, my guy.
15 years ago, I would tell you LG is overpriced and not competing on actual value in the market. They are definitely the big name in that market now, and their quality, luckily, dictates it.
Microsoft still trying to get us to start using bing and I'm still not buying it
Bing
Bing...