Player experience has become a crucial differentiating factor in the modern gaming scene. As Microsoft seeks to stand out from its competitors, it evolves to allow players to participate anywhere, anytime, with whomever they wish.
Past Innovations
In 2020, the tech giant launched the Xbox Cloud gaming service, though only Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could access it. By 2021, players could access Game Pass games on their Xbox consoles from the cloud after Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) was incorporated into Xbox One and Xbox Series.
Later, in 2022, the company reported that it had improved its cloud services on iPhone and iPad. This included optimising video output and network data transmission to encourage the responsiveness of games. These updates came a year after Microsoft had just integrated 1080p and 60fps streams into its cloud gaming. Elsewhere, the company disclosed plans to develop a standalone device that could allow players to stream games on their TVs without consoles.
Meeting the Demands of Elastic Scalability
As player bases grow, the need for elastic scalability becomes increasingly apparent. Microsoft recognises this imperative and, through the Azure cloud platform, meets the demands of a dynamic gaming environment with agility. Azure’s global network of data centres in about 140 countries enables the company to deploy gaming servers closer to players, reducing latency. Through its auto-scaling capabilities, the infrastructure allows Microsoft to adjust resources based on demand, ensuring that games remain responsive even during peak seasons.
This concept of elastic scalability is not unique to the esports industry but is rather common across other entertainment sectors. For example, in the casino industry, where millions of players engage in online games like Slingo for real money, scalability helps to maintain system performance. This way, game providers ensure players have consistent experiences with games regardless of the gaming demand.
It’s not different within the movie industry. During peak hours, such as evenings and weekends, the number of users accessing streaming platforms like Netflix can increase dramatically. To ensure smooth playback and minimal buffering, Netflix relies upon Amazon Web Services to offer seamless experiences. In music, Spotify utilises Kubernetes to ensure optimal performance during peak hours and major music releases.
Bettering User Experiences
In April 2024, the tech giant announced a user interface (UI) update of the Xbox Cloud Gaming service that incorporated features similar to those of the Xbox Console. With the interface, users can now access the web version of Xbox Party Chat instead of using mobile apps to communicate with friends. Microsoft, however, noted that they hadn’t made the party chat feature available on Smart TVs.
This announcement came just a few weeks after Microsoft made it possible for Xbox Insiders to test mouse and keyboard support for the service. The tech giant mentioned that only Alpha Skip-Ahead users could access the UI, as it was a preview feature.
Microsoft’s approach to gaming shows how gaming companies utilise technology to deliver exceptional experiences to players around the globe. By leveraging the power of Xbox and Cloud Gaming, Microsoft is not only revolutionising gameplay but also shaping the future of interactive entertainment. As the gaming landscape evolves, innovations that offer users engaging experiences will continue to emerge.
