Petr Škuta Microsoft is taking more and more steps to make its services available cross-platform. It's now opening up the Xbox Live SDK to iOS app developers as well.
Although we most often associate Microsoft with Windows, we must not forget that it is also an important player in the field of consoles. And in Redmond, they know very well that by expanding services to other platforms they can attract new players. That's why a developer toolkit is coming to Android and iOS platforms to make it easier to implement Xbox Live into third-party apps and games.
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David Hanak Developers will not be limited in what elements they integrate into their applications. This could be leaderboards, friend lists, clubs, achievements or more. That is, everything that players may already know from Xbox Live on consoles and probably also on PC.
We can see the cross-platform game Minecraft as an example of the full use of Xbox Live services. In addition to the standard platforms, there is no problem playing it on a Mac, iPhone or iPad. And thanks to the connection with a Live account, you can easily invite your friends or share your progress in the game.
The new SDK is part of an initiative called the "Microsoft Game Stack" that aims to unify tools and services for both AAA developer studios and independent indie game creators.
Game Center will replace Xbox Live
In the App Store we can already find a few games that offer some of the elements of Xbox Live. However, they all come from Microsoft's workshops so far. New games using the connection and synchronization of data between consoles and other platforms are yet to come.
However, Microsoft is not going to stop at just smartphones and tablets. His next target is the very popular Nintendo Switch console. However, company representatives have not yet been able to provide a specific date when the SDK tools will also be available on this handheld console.
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If you recall, Apple recently tried a similar strategy with its Game Center. The function thus replaced the social function of the established Xbox Live or PlayStation Network services. It was also possible to follow the rankings of friends, collect points and achievements, or challenge opponents.
Unfortunately, Apple has long-term problems with its services in the social sphere, and similarly to the Ping music network, Game Center was discontinued and almost removed in iOS 10. Cupertino thus cleared the field and left it to experienced players in the market, which is perhaps a shame.
Source: MacRumors
