The new forecast released by DFC Intelligence shows Microsoft's Xbox gaining ground in the console software market share over its competitors. Meanwhile, the PC platform grows thanks to console shortages.
The Epic Games Store has a funny little game and some free DLC for you.
Sony's latest PlayStation Store sale has over 4,000 items housing indies and AAA games. HJere's the full list of discounts.
Microsoft is tackling Xbox Cloud Gaming latency with real testing and tech upgrades—here’s what’s working, and why it matters.
Speaking as someone who uses xcloud, i havent really noticed much lag, if at all. I have used the service on a wide variety of devices. A VCR XBO, a One X, the logitech GCloud, steamdeck and my work PC. in all cases it just works and works really well. I was not interested at first in the idea of streaming a game, but then i really started using it as a way to gauge interest if a game is worth my time of downloading/installing and I just cant help but jump into new titles when they drop. I used to do the same with new releases on netflix so i can see why they make that similar proclimation.
With Remote Play, the lag can be almost complete nonexistent too. My TV and Receiver glitched up really bad a few weeks ago and my Xbox wouldn't output through 4K 120hz for a few weird hours of power cycling these stupid devices, so I got to test this out while my Xbox just refused to output video through hdmi.
With a Backbone on my phone, and a controller connected to the console (hardwired into the modem through an Ethernet switch; my phone is connected to a Router that the modem routes to - so there is that extra network layer), I could not notice any difference. Avowed was set to the Balanced mode, maybe Performance would've exposed a lag with the extra frames but the response on my phone screen looked near exact from stick push to game response.
Cloud Gaming, playing something like South of Midnight feels responsive enough to me, and games like Pentiment you really really can't tell, and if you could, that's a game where lag would be inconsequential to the experience
I live in a city that has an Xbox Cloud server, and my local network uses Wi-Fi 6. I've used the service for quite a while. I can't really say I don't feel the latency. Some titles are completely unplayable for me, like Forza Horizon 5. But there are also many games where I barely notice it, such as A Crab's Treasure and Halo MCC.
Honestly, it's great that they're working on making it better. But the way it works right now is already pretty usable, and casual gamers, who I assume are the target audience, probably won't even notice the latency. The issue then becomes more of a commercial or marketing one, because casual gamers are either on mobile or console, and they probably don't even know Xbox Cloud exists, how much it costs, or how it works.
It also doesn't help that some of the most popular casual games aren't available on it at launch. Sports games from EA, for example, are always a couple of months late.
That seems like a reasonable forecast - assuming they keep being the more consumer friendly of the platform holders AND avoid any huge mistakes like the 2013 Xbox One launch.
"DFC Intelligence surveys show PS5 to be still the preferred console, but that might change as Microsoft's Xbox library grows thanks to the many acquired game studios."
I mean, I guess if shortages stay the same for 4 years... sure? But, wouldn't Sony just move more towards the PC market just like Xbox if it was that persistent?
The Variables this article is basing the analysis off of is Elden Ring lol, supply shortages lol, potentially new hard for Nintendo. Sony seems like more than ever have to address the bar when it comes to to consistent appeal which I’d say comes with from their first party talent which is growing and how they evolve into the live services spectrum and how they morph their subscription services into something that benefits the consumer but also ensures their business growth. All while trying to innovate for the future. Nintendo has their history of favorites with mascots and their risk on hardware why Microsoft shops for talent
Well, we'll see. Personally I expect Sony to go from strength to strength (and Nintendo to maintain the status quo) and continue to keep MS under their thumb.
We shall see.