Tuesday, February 26th 2019

Microsoft May be Closer Than Ever to Importing Xbox Games Infrastructure to PC

by
Raevenlord
 Discuss (42 Comments)
In a report via Ars Technica, it seems that Microsoft is actually inching ever closer to having PCs powered by Xbox games (and Xbox servers). After the company pushed some free copies of State of Decay to a limited number of beta testers for its upcoming Windows 10 updates (and asking for feedback on the game's behavior), a number of users tried (and managed) to dig deeper.

It seems that Microsoft used the Xbox's distribution services instead of the usual Game Store ones for distributing State of Decay, which would mean a tight integration of its console distribution platform and its Windows PC one. Furthermore, the state of Decay files came in encoded on a proprietary, Xbox-bound .xvc file system. State of Decay, as it is being delivered, also tries to update the DirectX installation on the users' PC, which speaks of it being aware of some PC-specific requirements for it to be run, which wouldn't be present shouldn't that be the case. This is all part of Microsoft's GameCore initiative, which aims to build a common set of system services and APIs that allow for higher development integration between both the PC and Xbox platforms, lowering the coding barrier for games to run on both, and perhaps even enabling PCs to be recognized as equals to Xbox consoles when it comes to content distribution. Maybe we'll finally be able to get The Master Chief collection and... Red Dead Redemption in our PCs?
Source: ArsTechnica

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42 Comments on Microsoft May be Closer Than Ever to Importing Xbox Games Infrastructure to PC

#26
Fx
dicktracyStill better than Dota 2 and CS Rehash 9.0 lol.
Nothing wrong with either game. Their problem is they just got too comfortable and stopped continually making games.
Posted on Reply
#27
Darmok N Jalad
Vayra86Can also agree on this... I've owned a SNES, N64, PSP, PS2, PS3... I can appreciate the things a console offers, but it is most certainly a 'lower level' of gaming altogether. Less thought involved, lower complexity, lower skill cap, less depth. There are some exceptions to the rule of course, but there is no way consoles can offer something for everyone in gaming. I think another notable point is that the console versions of many simulators and survival games are extremely watered down versions compared to the PC. This includes limitations on the size of worlds you create for example. Not at all keen on seeing those limitations imposed on the PC as well.
The size of the world was certainly a limitation on previous gen, but current consoles that limit isn’t as pronounced. In Horizon Zero Dawn, you can traverse the entire world without a load screens, and that game has a complex and diverse environment, many with wide vistas of the world.
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#28
Steevo
FreedomEclipseNot to say that they dont have some great games that have been ported over... FORZA, Age Of Empires, Age Of Empires, and Age Of Empires....

Did i forget to mention Age Of Empires?

The thing is even my opinion is heavily convoluted because Microsoft themselves act more as a publisher when it comes to PC whereas they make a lot of stuff for Xbox. Its not like in the late 80s and early to mid 90s when Microsoft had multiple development studios just for the PC under its wing, We had flight sims and mech warrior and so many more franchises and IPs i probably cant even remember.

Microsoft dont care about the PC platform. Its been proven so many times. Once in a blue moon some big shot from microsoft will come out, say how they done the PC platform dirty and they want to try to fix that, make amends and make PC gaming great again. Makes a few promises, reaffirm their commitment and support for the PC platform. swears on God, swears to Jesus, Mary and the Holy Ghost that he will make PC gaming great again.... 6 months later, that same guy retires with a suitcase full of money and there is nothing to show for all the promises he made and I highly doubt there was anything done at all.

Fluff pieces and bones aplenty. Microsoft can keep throwing bones for dogs to chase when it suits them but this dog here has vaulted the fence and is long gone. I dont think im the only one that ignores whatever microsoft has to say when it comes to PC gaming and just carries on with life.

Too many empty promises.
I would like to talk to them about MSN music, video, and all the crap that's cancelled without any DRM servers available, cause I guess they don't have enough servers to run that anymore...
Posted on Reply
#29
las
Nice, because I have zero interrest in owning a Xbox.

PC + PS for me. I can play it all then. Pretty much.
Posted on Reply
#30
kapone32
moproblems99Add on top of that, a subscription is required for XBox Live and PSN. When that comes to PC, may God* have mercy on our souls.

*Insert whatever you want here.
I signed on the Xbox Live so that I could play Forza (to be honest that had a $1.00 1st month for new users) but still had to pay another $50+, if I wanted to have all of the games features, with Humble Monthly though.... oh wait that is actually a PC way of doing a subscription as I can do what I like with the Game keys.
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#31
Franzen4Real
moproblems99Does XBox have achievements? I don't see how it could survive without them.
I might be misinterpreting your question, but as far as I know the Xbox platform is what originally started achievements in games in the first place. On PC, I think Steam was first but that was a year or two later.
Posted on Reply
#32
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
Game devs have gotten too lazy.
Posted on Reply
#33
Space Lynx
Astronaut
lasNice, because I have zero interrest in owning a Xbox.

PC + PS for me. I can play it all then. Pretty much.
This is how I have rolled since PS1 days. It's the best way to go. Sony exclusives have never failed to entertain me.
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#34
las
lynx29This is how I have rolled since PS1 days. It's the best way to go. Sony exclusives have never failed to entertain me.
I agree. I'd buy Switch over Xbox, but I don't really need a 3rd device. I can emulate Zelda BOTW at 4K with 60 fps solid anyway. If Nintendo had an actual TV-Device (with more power) instead of handheld focus I'd buy one tho.

I'm getting PS5 on release.
Posted on Reply
#35
Space Lynx
Astronaut
lasI agree. I'd buy Switch over Xbox, but I don't really need a 3rd device. I can emulate Zelda BOTW at 4K with 60 fps solid anyway. If Nintendo had an actual TV-Device (with more power) instead of handheld focus I'd buy one tho.

I'm getting PS5 on release.
I tried the Switch, horrible TN tiny screen... couldn't stand how bad quality the screen was compared to what I am used to with high end IPS/VA gaming.

Make sure you pre-order PS5 fast as soon as you see it go live, I am sure there will be shortages, knowing Sony, lol
Posted on Reply
#36
moproblems99
lynx29Make sure you pre-order PS5
Isn't preordering bad or is that only for games?
Posted on Reply
#37
las
lynx29I tried the Switch, horrible TN tiny screen... couldn't stand how bad quality the screen was compared to what I am used to with high end IPS/VA gaming.

Make sure you pre-order PS5 fast as soon as you see it go live, I am sure there will be shortages, knowing Sony, lol
AFAIK Switch uses an IPS screen, but low quality and 720p, I was not impressed and gaming on the go is not something I need :)
moproblems99Isn't preordering bad or is that only for games?
I don't usually pre-order games, hardware is different tho, I know what I'm getting here. PS5 will replace my PS4 Pro. It will have PS4 backwards comp so I don't need the PS4 Pro then.

PS1-3 backwards comp would be a plus, but not something i REALLY need. I don't have any PS1-3 games or desire to play them, most of the good games have already been remastered for PS4, so..
Posted on Reply
#38
64K
I think MS is seeing just how much PC gamers are spending on games and they want a piece of the action. Quite a few Publishers are seeing this too and porting what was previously console exclusives to PC. Right now we can get gears of War 1 and 4. I would like to play 2 and 3 on PC and The Master Chief Collection. There's a couple more games but I can't think of them right now. Of course they would have to offer proper support and imo improve there store but I think it would be well worth it financially. MS will probably always put the Xbox first but it also makes sense to make games playable on PC.
Posted on Reply
#39
OneMoar
There is Always Moar
this is already a thing they are just expanding on the capability

I accually have no problem with this less console 'exclusives' = good
Posted on Reply
#40
las
Forza and Halo... No thanks

Bring back Fable instead
Posted on Reply
#41
VashCZ
moproblems99I wish we could shitcan DirectX and get Vulkan going. Then I could say goodbye to Microsoft forever.
I image that would be wonderful. Not because I like Linux, but because I dislike what Microsoft is trying to do.
Well not gonna happen. Depends on people who are developing games(are used to something) and on engines the games run.
Posted on Reply
#42
Darmok N Jalad
Doesn’t PS4 run OpenGL? If so, then there is already a very popular gaming platform that functions without MS. Doesn’t do PC gamers much good, but it does suggest a DX-less world is possible.
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