Latest news with #cloudgaming
The Verge
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
What is an Xbox?
Microsoft's 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign in November always felt a little too early. If you ask a friend or family member what an Xbox is, the response is likely going to be 'it's a game console.' Xbox is ingrained in popular culture as a box under your TV that you play games on, but Microsoft's ads over the past six months have been attempting to redefine the Xbox as a platform that spans across phones, laptops, TVs, handheld gaming PCs, and even VR headsets. The ads did a great job of drawing attention to the platform, but the perception of the Xbox brand as just a console is still a huge challenge that Microsoft needs to overcome if its latest strategy is going to be successful. I can already sense some trouble ahead. Ever since Microsoft unveiled its ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices earlier this month, I keep hearing from friends that are asking about an 'Xbox handheld.' YouTubers with millions of followers have positioned these handheld gaming PCs as 'the first Xbox handheld,' which is true if you believe in Microsoft's marketing, but false in reality because they don't natively run Xbox games, only PC versions. Microsoft's answer to this potential confusion is that the Xbox Ally devices will be able to stream your library of Xbox games from the cloud or another Xbox console. That's not the type of experience I want when I'm spending hundreds of dollars on a piece of hardware that's capable of running games without an internet connection. In reality, I get the sense that Microsoft is willing to gamble on the potential confusion here, because what it really wants to do is turn Xbox into Steam. The Xbox Ally devices are the beginning of a next-generation gaming platform — a platform that looks increasingly like it will revolve around Windows. Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed last week that Microsoft's next console is 'not locked to a single store,' just like Windows isn't. Bond went even further, revealing that Microsoft wants to ensure 'Windows is the number one platform for gaming.' Microsoft has also started calling the Xbox app on Windows simply 'Xbox PC,' in a clear bid to position it as a Steam competitor or alternative. This Xbox PC branding has appeared in trailers for games in recent weeks, but even Microsoft can't decide whether it's 'Xbox PC' or 'Xbox on PC' as it has used both recently. Either way has risk: Microsoft rebranded its Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription to just PC Game Pass four years ago because people were getting confused, so Xbox PC feels like it could be another source of confusion. Bond's video also shed some light on how the Xbox PC initiative will allow you to play Xbox games. While Bond largely talked about an AMD partnership for co-engineering silicon, she also confirmed that this next generation of Xbox devices includes 'maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games.' That's a promise that Microsoft hasn't been able to deliver for the Xbox Ally devices, and it makes it seem like the company is confident it will deliver some form of Xbox game emulation on Windows for its next generation of devices. Bond's video wasn't the only interesting Xbox release last week. AMD CEO Lisa Su also appeared in a short video and essentially laid bare Microsoft's next-gen Xbox strategy: 'Moving forward, AMD will go beyond building custom chips for Xbox consoles to designing a full roadmap of gaming-optimized chips, combining the power of Ryzen and Radeon for consoles, handhelds, PCs, and the cloud,' Su said. That sure sounds like AMD and Microsoft are co-engineering chips for Microsoft's own next-gen Xbox console, as well as third-party devices that will also be branded as Xbox consoles. Su also specifically revealed these chips will include the hardware support needed for backward compatibility, which suggests that you'll need one of these chips for whatever emulation solution Microsoft is working on. I fully expect these next-gen chips will also form the basis for how Microsoft plans to license the software powering this Xbox experience to OEMs. It feels like this future work with AMD is really what Microsoft means when it says, 'This is an Xbox.' It's an ambitious vision where Xbox games can be played across multiple devices, all with cloud saves so you can pick up where you left off. It's also a clear reaction to SteamOS and the fact that OEMs are starting to show interest in Valve's efforts to span its game library across console-like devices. The challenge for Microsoft is making its own vision a reality and learning from its mistakes of challenging Steam in the past. In 2006, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates outlined a similar vision for Xbox dubbed 'Live Anywhere,' where Xbox experiences would come to Windows-based PCs. It was a response, at the time, to Valve's launch of Steam a few years prior. Microsoft launched its Games for Windows Live initiative with Windows Vista in 2007, designed as a way to unify the gaming experience across PC and Xbox 360 with achievements, online multiplayer, a friends list, and marketplace. Microsoft shut down the service six years later, after lackluster ports of Xbox titles and DRM mechanisms left PC gamers building up their library in Steam instead. Nearly 20 years later, a lot of what Microsoft is saying today sounds like Bill Gates' vision for Windows and the Xbox 360. The big difference this time around is that Microsoft isn't in a position of strength in the console market like it was with the Xbox 360. That means it has to take a more open approach to overhaul what an Xbox is, like embracing rival stores on its next-generation devices or allowing OEMs to build their own Xbox devices. Microsoft's opportunity here is to boot millions of Xbox devices into its own Xbox PC store and try to sell games and subscriptions directly to people instead of them turning to Steam. There's a clear revenue benefit to Microsoft here, especially if it can convert even a small percentage of Steam users into buying games from its own store instead of handing over a 30 percent cut to Valve. It will all come down to the console-like experience, with the Xbox 'full screen experience' on Windows being a big first test. If Microsoft can pull off this big bet of changing what an Xbox is, then these 'This is an Xbox' ads will look like a prophecy. If it fails, then Microsoft risks damaging its last successful consumer brand, potentially beyond repair. The stakes for Xbox couldn't be higher. There won't be a Notepad issue next week as I'll be out on vacation, but I'm always keen to hear from readers, so please drop a comment here, or you can reach me at notepad@ if you want to discuss anything else. If you've heard about any of Microsoft's secret projects, you can reach me via email at notepad@ or speak to me confidentially on the Signal messaging app, where I'm tomwarren.01. I'm also tomwarren on Telegram, if you'd prefer to chat there. Thanks for subscribing to Notepad.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Why Pay for a DualSense When This Luna Controller Costs Half the Price for Early Prime Day?
Amazon may not be the first name that comes to mind for gaming, but it's definitely a major player in the industry. With Twitch at the heart of streaming and its own cloud gaming service, Luna, Amazon is everywhere for gamers. The company has also designed a controller specifically for Luna but it's far more than just a cloud gaming accessory. In fact, most people use the Luna Controller as a universal gamepad for a wide range of devices—PCs, Sony PlayStation, Xbox, and more. Right now, the Luna Controller is available at its lowest price ever on Amazon: For just $39, that's a hefty discount from its $69 MSRP (43% off) and much less expensive than buying multiple Xbox or Sony DualSense controllers which cost between $50 to $100 per controller. See at Amazon The Luna Controller is a gaming controller with offset thumbsticks for gaming comfort, bumpers within easy reach, accurate triggers and responsive action buttons. The 4-way directional pad adds to its classic controller shape so it'll be ideal for playing all types of games. The controller's ergonomic design ensures that it will be comfortable to hold, even for long gaming sessions. It has a rugged construction with a premium finish that's comparable to more expensive controllers. Designed to work in perfect tandem with Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service, it offers a direct connection to Amazon's custom-built game servers using Cloud Direct technology. That provides for low-latency gaming which is important for responsive, lag-free gameplay. But the usefulness of the Luna Controller extends far beyond Luna: It can connect to pretty much any device via Bluetooth, from Windows and Mac computers to Fire TV, Fire tablets, iPhones, iPads, Chromebooks, and gaming consoles. If you prefer a wired connection, the controller also supports USB. Amazon's Luna Controller is proof that Amazon is serious about gaming. Do not miss the opportunity to have a multi-use controller in your hands before the sale ends. See at Amazon
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Xbox and Meta have just teamed up to make a VR headset
This is the year that everything becomes an Xbox. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced it was partnering with Asus to launch an Xbox version of its ROG Ally handheld console, turning the portable PC into an Xbox on the go. And it's not stopping there. Microsoft is now teaming up with Meta on a limited-edition Xbox version of the Meta Quest 3S – a VR headset that blends Meta's hardware with Xbox's gaming ecosystem, bringing Xbox to even more devices and platforms. It's not a true Sony PSVR2 competitor (you're still cloud gaming on a virtual screen), but it's the closest Microsoft has ever come to VR. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition wraps Meta's headset in Xbox colours, bundles in Game Pass extras, and is designed to offer a more console-like experience straight out of the box. Here's everything you need to know about the limited-edition headset and where to buy it. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is a limited-edition redesign of Meta's entry-level mixed-reality headset, designed in collaboration with Microsoft. While it doesn't run Xbox software natively, it's been tailored to feel more console-like from the moment you turn it on. The headset sports Xbox's signature black-and-green colours and comes with a matching Xbox Wireless Controller, pre-paired out of the box. What sets it apart from a standard Quest 3S isn't just the colours, however. The UI has been reskinned with Xbox visuals, and it boots straight into the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on start-up, making it feel like you're actually using an Xbox VR headset, not just a Quest 3S. The bundle also includes a pair of matching black-and-green Touch Plus controllers, the Meta Quest Elite Strap for added comfort, and three months of both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Meta Horizon+. However, underneath the Xbox branding, it's the same affordable mixed-reality headset I reviewed last year. 'It runs like a dream, has a full-colour passthrough and a wealth of VR games and mixed-reality experiences to explore,' I said in my review. 'This is a highly capable VR headset, and superb for the price.'
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Company Leaders Need To Know About Integrating AI Agents Into Their Workflows
Brando Murphy, Founder of Bigger Than Race We're standing at the edge of a transformative shift in business, one that will deeply affect how companies operate and how people work. I'm talking about AI agents: digital entities that can perform tasks and make decisions on their own. But to fully benefit from AI agents, company leaders need to do more than throw money at trendy tools. They need a clear strategy. Most importantly, they need to ask: What are we really trying to achieve with this technology? Why AI Agents Matter AI agents can take on the types of repetitive, time-consuming tasks that clog up workflows: scheduling meetings, sorting data, managing email threads and more. The result? People are freed up to focus on work that actually requires human creativity and judgment. The real potential lies in empowering people, not replacing them. Implemented correctly, AI agents can increase productivity, improve decision-making and accelerate how teams learn and adapt. As an example, in our cloud gaming protocol, we use AI agents that observe and learn from a user's gameplay style. They can act as a soundboard, provide recommendations and even mimic a player's style in real time. If you're a streamer, these agents can support monetization by helping automate gameplay or even create content while you're offline. Don't Believe The Hype As with all new technology, we need to be honest about how the industry really stands to benefit. We've seen waves of AI excitement and trends—from chatbots to generative text and video—but not all of them live up to expectations. We're still in the early days of AI agents becoming truly autonomous. Companies like OpenAI are pushing the envelope, but we're not yet at the point where these agents can be fully trusted to manage high-stakes work like day trading or strategic planning. Trusting them too soon can be risky. Cost is another barrier. Building a high-functioning AI agent isn't cheap: from $5,000 at the low end to upwards of $20,000 just to get something decent off the ground. That kind of investment needs to be justified with a clear purpose, not just a desire to seem cutting-edge. And there's the real challenge. Too many companies are rushing to integrate AI into their workflows just to be seen as 'tech-forward,' without having defined what the agent will do. It's like buying a race car without knowing how to drive; it might look good in the garage, but how will you justify the expense? Practical Advice For Leaders If you're serious about integrating AI agents into your business, the first question to ask isn't 'Which platform should we use?' It's 'What problem are we solving?' Are you trying to replace tasks that monopolize your team's time and energy? Or are you looking for a tool that can help you scale content, analyze customer behavior or streamline internal operations? Once you have the 'why,' then—and only then—should you start thinking about the 'how.' Whether you're in finance, crypto or tech, you need a clear framework first. In our own development process, we created a video learning model (VLM) where the agent watches how users play games and then assists or even replicates their gameplay. But none of that would have been possible if we hadn't first asked what role this agent would play in our product. There's a lot of understandable uncertainty around AI agents and, yes, even some fear. But I believe the future is bright for those who embrace these tools thoughtfully. AI agents won't just change how we work—they'll change how we think about work. If we bring them on board carefully, they can help us work faster and better. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
The Verge
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
AMD's partnership with Xbox will extend beyond consoles.
'Moving forward, AMD will go beyond building custom chips for Xbox consoles to designing a full roadmap of gaming-optimized chips, combining the power of Ryzen and Radeon for consoles, handhelds, PCs and the cloud.' AMD CEO Lisa Su says in a video posted on Thursday. Su adds that AMD is 'doing it all with backward compatibility,' allowing gamers to access titles 'across platforms.' Xbox announced this week that its next-gen console will feature an AMD chip.
