Microsoft is reportedly bringing Xbox Live Support to Android and iOS devices, as well as the Nintendo Switch. Yes, you read that last one right.
The description for Microsoft’s plan at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) next month seemingly confirmed this (courtesy of Windows Central).
Here’s the description:
“Xbox Live is one of the largest, most engaged gaming communities on the planet with decades of experience providing managed game services to developers that save you time and unlock all of the social and engagement features that players love.
Now Xbox Live is about to get MUCH bigger. Xbox Live is expanding from 400M gaming devices and a reach to over 68M active players to over 2B devices with the release of our new cross-platform XDK.
Get a first look at the SDK to enable game developers to connect players between iOS, Android, and Switch in addition to Xbox and any game in the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs.”
It should be said that Switch users could already link their XBL accounts while playing cross-platform games, most notably Minecraft. However, this service that Microsoft is reportedly revealing would allow for Switch players to access their XBL friend lists, achievements, and other online features.
A spokesperson from Microsoft told Polygon that they had “nothing additional to share at this time”.
If this is indeed what Microsoft plans to announce at GDC, this is huge news. Having the ability to access Xbox Live on the Nintendo Switch (without the use of cross-platform games) is crazy to even imagine and you can definitely see the benefits of having XBL features on mobile devices as well.
Xbox and Nintendo have been working together quite a bit lately. The two platforms were major advocates for cross-play, especially with Fortnite. Nintendo now looks like a platform that is willing to play with others and is confident with their own gaming lineup.
Hey @Xbox, since we can play together in @Minecraft now, did you want to build something? pic.twitter.com/LIylWy3yXZ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 21, 2018
@NintendoUK wanna play some Fortnite later?
— Xbox UK (@xboxuk) June 12, 2018
For Microsoft, this news is further evidence to what Xbox has been saying over the past few years. Instead of sticking to their console as the sole place to play their games, Microsoft has shown a desire to branch out away from the Xbox One in order to bring their brand to as many people as possible. It started with PC and their Play Anywhere program. Now, it seems that expanding Xbox Live to other platforms is next on their list.
What are your thoughts on this report? Are you on board with bringing XBL to the Nintendo Switch? Let us know in the comments below!
