Microsoft has announced a ten-year partnership with Boosteroid, an independent provider of PC games via the cloud, to bring all its games to the service. This move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to address the criticism of its Activision Blizzard acquisition from regulators such as UK CMA and US FTC. By partnering with Boosteroid, Microsoft aims to provide more ways for gamers to access their favorite titles on different devices. Microsoft really is pulling out all the stops to make sure this deal goes through, even if it has to make such decade-long deals to dissuade Sony.
As part of the deal, Boosteroid will offer Xbox PC games, including Activision Blizzard’s titles such as “Call of Duty” once the acquisition is approved. This deal follows a similar one with NVIDIA for GeForce NOW and a recent agreement with Nintendo. Phil Spencer, CEO of Gaming at Microsoft, commented that bringing Xbox PC games to Boosteroid members is another step in realizing Microsoft’s vision of giving everyone more ways to play their favorite games across devices. A belief that came to be well after the Activision Blizzard deal. And the same Microsoft introduced strict DRM policies for the Xbox One launch.
Microsoft Making a 10-Year With Boosteroid
The partnership is also aimed at supporting Ukraine’s 160,000 software developers, with Microsoft committing to $430 million in technology and financial assistance since Russia’s unlawful invasion. This adds to the recent agreements with Nintendo and NVIDIA, making it clear to regulators that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard will make “Call of Duty” available on far more devices than before.
Boosteroid is located in Ukraine, with offices in Kyiv and Kharkiv. The company has continued its growth despite the ongoing war. The CEO of Boosteroid, Ivan Shvaichenko, expressed appreciation for Microsoft’s commitment to Ukraine and the partnership’s potential to invest further in the economic recovery of the country. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice PM and Minister of Digital Transformation, also applauded the deal.
Boosteroid currently has over 4 million users and recently announced upcoming support for Mac, Chromebooks, Android set-top boxes, and LG televisions. You can learn more about the service on the official website.