Microsoft needs to let devs bring more Xbox-enabled games to Android, iOS

While Apple is very controlling over how much influence third-party companies can impart its platform, Android is a lot more open. On Android, you tin change the default browser to Microsoft Edge, the default assistant to Cortana, and practically switch every feature and service over to a Microsoft-based one, for instance (save for Movies & Television receiver ... but that'southward a whole different fence).

However, at that place is i missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to Microsoft's infiltration of iOS and Android — gaming.

Mobile is a huge, huge force in gaming, with publishers like EA, Activision, Tencent, and a range of contained firms, all siphoning billions of dollars of greenbacks per twelvemonth from users on their phones. Whether it's through microtransaction-blimp games like Clash of Clans or standalone premium titles like Square Enix's Terminal Fantasy mobile ports, mobile gaming simply isn't going away.

So why hasn't Microsoft pushed Xbox further into the equation?

Bring Xbox APIs to tertiary-political party mobile devs

Microsoft has a small scattering of Xbox Live-enabled Android and iOS titles, but they're more often than not lowkey. The biggest of them include Wordament, Age of Empires: Castle Siege, and probably Solitaire, but you have to wonder why Microsoft hasn't tried harder to become further into this space.

On Android and iOS, information technology seems like only Microsoft-built titles are allowed to utilize the Xbox Live API.

Back in the days of Windows Phone 7, 8, and 10 Mobile, Microsoft produced a few mobile games exclusive to those platforms, as it experimented with cross-platform functionality. Tentacles: Enter the Mind from Press Play Games was amongst my favorites, synchronizing progression betwixt Windows Telephone viii and Windows 8 PCs. Nowadays, Microsoft is working on perfecting its cross-platform functionality between Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, assuasive users to buy a game once and play it on both devices or via full cross-platform multiplayer, as seen in Sea of Thieves.

The difference is third-political party developers are allowed to tap the Xbox Live APIs if they're bringing UWP titles for Windows x. Deep Rock Galactic supports cantankerous-platform play between Xbox One and the Windows ten Microsoft Store, as does Astroneer and various other non-Microsoft titles.

On Android and iOS, it seems that only Microsoft-congenital titles are allowed to use the Xbox Live API, which is a scrap of a shame.

So why make a change?

Progress sync across Windows ten and Xbox I is crawly, but fifty-fifty more awesome when you throw in mobile besides.

As far equally Microsoft goes, bringing more Xbox Live games to Android and iOS would aid with mindshare on those platforms. Xbox gamers would be able to earn achievements, access leaderboards, share progress on Xbox Live, and more than, if more games supported Xbox functionality directly. Microsoft also has a Mixer app for Android and iOS, supporting screen capture for game streaming. Conspicuously Microsoft has idea about its presence in terms of mobile gaming, but information technology looks like its focus remains firmly on consoles and PCs.

For developers, even just a bit of Gamerscore like the 200 to 500 that Windows Phone games had, would help bring further exposure to those games on Xbox Live. Xbox gamers might exist more inclined to endeavour a game on mobile if it had Xbox Live integration. If developers bought their games to Windows ten PCs and Xbox One, it could also mean cloud saves and the synchronicity of progress, as seen with titles like Age of Empires: Castle Siege and Minecraft'southward Realms feature.

Potential bug be ...

Even on Windows Phone, where developers had access to the Xbox Live API, many of them simply didn't bother to include achievements. I heard various reasons for this, including the difficult nature of using the API, Draconian approval processes from Xbox, and developer time versus value.

It seems that part of the reason those few Xbox Live-enabled games on Android and iOS do take integration is that they're bachelor on Windows platforms. The Xbox Live API seems to crave a store listing, and if those games are only available on Android and iOS, that presents a potential roadblock without substantial changes. I'm sure there are other systemic issues behind why this hasn't happened still, just in that location's no reason Microsoft tin can't work out a prepare.

Microsoft might have struggled to make Xbox Alive a compelling characteristic on Windows Telephone and Windows 10 Mobile, but that doesn't mean it can't get it correct with some proper vision.

Xbox needs to exist on mobile

Nintendo has shown that there's an insatiable desire for cadre-gaming experiences on portable devices, both on the Nintendo DS consoles and the tablet-like Switch. I know developers are eager to bring "AAA" experiences to portable devices, too, despite the fact those platforms historically revolve around shallow experiences, oft crammed with pay2win and pay2progress mechanics.

Microsoft previously expressed interest in building streaming services for Xbox games, getting streaming onto Android and iOS devices has to be office of that vision. However, it would likewise be awesome if Microsoft could sign up existing Android and iOS game developers to employ Xbox Live APIs and other Microsoft authentication services, bringing more than games under the Xbox Live banner, for achievements, social, and progress syncing between devices.

I know from talking to people at Microsoft that this isn't something they would exist opposed to, so peradventure it's more downward to resources, priorities, and investment. Perhaps if plenty people limited an interest, it could be a viable route for Microsoft to become downwards in the hereafter. Practice you intendance nigh Xbox games on phones and tablets? Hitting the comments and let u.s.a. know.

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