Microsoft said it plans to add more games to its new "free-to-play" streaming service, particularly for mobile devices. Featured sponsors: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Splunk, and Trend Micro. Its an important step to add a Free-to-Play title to the cloud gaming catalog as we continue our cloud journey, Xbox said in a blog post. of Wash. leaders over indigenous lands statement, Alaska Airlines to roll out electronic bag tags to save time (and paper) at the airport, Amazon will pause Bellevue towers to study impact of hybrid work on its offices, still plans 25k jobs, Seattle museum cancels Amazon vs Microsoft exhibition after backlash over tech and art in city, Microsoft eliminates open jobs amid economic downturn, Microsoft-owned Mojang bans NFT integration in Minecraft, Online media vets launch The Cool Down, a platform aspiring to be Americas go-to climate site, Seahawks may add cashierless tech to new food market as part of Seattle stadium enhancements, Seattle real estate startup Flyhomes cuts 20% of staff, citing uncertain economic conditions, NASA announces a challenging schedule for inaugural launch of its SLS moon rocket, Amazon aims to take Alexa automation to the next level with new ambient home developer kit, Amazon files lawsuit against thousands of Facebook group admins over fake reviews, Seattle startup aims to make it easier to invest in social or environmental impact companies, City of Seattle awards $590,000 in digital equity grants to 19 non-profits, GeekWires summer rooftop BBQ and Sounders Day party returns Aug. 2: Grab tickets today, REI reveals 6 startups for new accelerator that promotes founders of color, Startup building software that helps airlines upsell customers raises $25M, NFL star Bobby Wagner helps kids get the tech exposure that shaped his life outside football, Microsofts latest solution for hybrid team-building is another social networking app, Microsofts Azure Space strengthens its partnerships with final-frontier pioneers, Tech Moves: Zillows former longtime economist returns; GoFundMe hires Xbox vet; ex-Nike president joins Funko board. But the reality hasn't quite lived up to the promise, as companies ranging from startups to behemoths like Google have struggled to deliver the quality they promise or to find sustainable business models. For more than a decade, streaming technology has promised to change the video game world by offering people a way to play visually complex games without the need for a hefty computer or powerful mobile device. Microsofts Xbox division is collaborating with Epic Games to put the popular free-to-play online game Fortnite up on its cloud gaming servers. Microsoft's bid to offer Fortnite for free through its Xbox Cloud Gaming service comes at a time when game streaming technology is still finding its footing. As weve discussed before, cloud games are already bandwidth hogs, so trying to maintain a connection to both a games server and Microsofts cloud simultaneously is likely to stress the typical residential connection. While Fortnite is free to download and play on multiple platforms, Epic has built a billion-dollar business off of its purchasable outfits. Fortnite fans will play the game anywhere. So far, the company added, 20% of Xbox Gaming users use touch exclusively to play. The company said Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, who pay $15 per month for access to hundreds of games for download and streaming, currently have access to more than 150 streaming games that work with touchscreen mobile devices. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline, Boeing is moving its headquarters from Chicago to Virginia and setting up a new R&D hub, Acquired podcast hosts show at Climate Pledge Arena on fast-moving founders and an epic business recovery, Grow your security, identity, & compliance expertise. Microsoft's hit Forza Horizon 5 racing game, running on a Valve Steam Deck through Xbox Cloud Gaming. It appears to be the console version of the game, and can be played with a standard gamepad or touchscreen controls. Even so, this is a surprising move from both Microsoft and Epic. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. The game can be played with touch controls or an Xbox controller, it all depends on preference. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline. From PCs to Play Stations, to Nintendo Switches, and probably even their smart fridges. Yet, another way has come for fans to play the game, and thats through Xboxs Cloud Gaming service. You dont even need to install the game. Follow him on at, Like what you're reading? Get actionable insights to apply in your everyday work. Will whistleblowers speak up? Since Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming launched two years ago, more than 10 million people worldwide have streamed games through the service. Were starting with Fortnite and will look to bring more Free-to-Play games people love in the future.. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The move will effectively let people play Fortnite in a way similar to how they stream videos from companies like Netflix, regardless of how beefy their gaming device is. Delivered Wednesdays. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. That number's likely to jump a bit higher as a result of a partnership Microsoft struck with Epic Games to offer Epic's hit title Fortnite for free through Xbox Cloud Gaming. by Thomas Wilde on May 5, 2022 at 12:42 pmMay 5, 2022 at 12:43 pm. Have a scoop that you'd like GeekWire to cover? While Fortnite is not quite as ubquitous as it was a couple of years ago, its still a force to be reckoned with in the modern media landscape. The service will be available for free in 26 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and the US. For its part, Microsoft's Xbox team has said it believes game streaming will be a key way for people to playbut has also tempered expectations for how quickly it'll catch on. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. The game is already live on the platform that has a Microsoft Account, while also owning an iOS, iPadOS, Android, or Windows device. That being said, Fortnite is an online game, so the speed of your internet connection will be an equally limiting factor. Gamers will be able to play on an iPhone or iPad or a device powered by Google's Android software, even though both Apple and Google have banned Fortnite from their respective app stores amid an ongoing legal dispute. In addition to its potential popularity as a virtual concert venue, many major Hollywood films and other game franchises have made deals with Epic to make various characters available as paid cosmetics for characters in Fortnite. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Join us. If youre experiencing any issues, check the internet and message boards for temporary workarounds, and well update you when we can. Catherine Gluckstein, the VP and Head od of Product for Xbox Cloud Gaming gave a statement on the new way to play Fortnite, saying; Its an important step to add a Free-to-Play title to the cloud gaming catalog as we continue our cloud journey. Experience the difference at gartner.com/symposium. "This is just the beginning for us -- we're going to learn, implement feedback, and in time look to bring even more free-to-play titles to players through the cloud," Microsoft said in a statement. Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Its not all good news, however, as fans in the Middle East may be without a way to play the game starting today. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. This could mean long delays as players wait for a different server to pick them up. Earlier this year, the company said it too would offer Fortnite with touch controls through its service, though it's still in testing. Most NDAs are now outlawed in Washington state. The servers that Fortnites parent company, Epic Games, was used in the region were taken down, so fans in the area may have to use other servers for the time being. 2022 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. The tech giant is experimenting with offering free-to-play games through its streaming service. As of May 5, anyone in one of 26 countries with a Microsoft account, an internet connection, and a compatible internet device can use it to play Fortnite via the Xbox cloud servers. Aside from writing, he tinkers with tech at home, is a longtime fencer -- the kind with swords -- and began woodworking during the pandemic. Fortnites most watched Twitch streamers for April has been revealed, Watch: Top5Gamings 20 Most Broken Fortnite Glitches, Fortnite's most watched Twitch streamers for April has been revealed, Let's Appreciate an Umpire: Ryan Blakney Was Terrific During Reid Detmers' No-Hitter, Fortnite reveals Fortnitemares Concept Royale winners, Master Chief's return to Fortnite is just in time for his new show. If you experience high ping after May 9, we recommend switching to another server or setting your server selection to Auto as a temporary workaround. This includes a costume based on Doctor Strange, as a cross-promotion with this weeks new MCU film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We handpick the products and services we write about. Chipmaker Nvidia has also jumped into the fray, offering game streaming through its GeForce Now subscription service. Following the release of a new season of content in mid-April, third-party analysts have estimated that 3 to 8 million people are playing Fortnite at any given time, with an average of 24 million players over the course of any given day. Xbox Cloud Gaming is typically restricted to subscribers on the Ultimate tier of the Xbox Game Pass, but this expands Fortnites console audience to, theoretically, nearly everyone in 26 countries. Players can opt to buy a virtual currency with real money that can be spent on items to customize their in-game avatars, such as weapons, backpacks, hats, shirts, and entire costumes. All rights reserved. without the need for a hefty computer or powerful mobile device, Google, Amazon and Netflix from investing in the technology. Therefore, we cannot provide an estimated solution date at this time. No other accounts or subscriptions are required. If thats you, you can now play the game for free. Get smarter with the latest Microsoft news, reviews and advice on Windows PCs. Thomas Wilde has been working as a journalist and editor in the gaming press since 2002, most notoriously as the editor for DoubleJump Books. He has personally won World War II 47 separate times. Let us know. Ian Sherr (he/him/his) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, so he's always had a connection to the tech world. Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world. Unlike previous efforts, Microsoft said this agreement applies to anyone who wants to play, with or without a subscription. As with other cloud games, youre essentially starting up a remote instance of Fortnite on one of Microsofts web servers and using your device as a go-between. A new way to play Fortnite has come for Xbox fans. Learn more about underwritten and sponsored content on GeekWire. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onFortnite and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Xbox news: Microsoft to launch Xbox TV app on June 30; game demos for Game Pass; and more, PlayStation Plus vs. Xbox Game Pass: Competing subscription services showcase different strategies, Report: Microsoft exploring ways to bring ads to free-to-play Xbox games, Microsoft will stop including new Xbox 360 games in subscription services, Computer science lecturer sues Univ. As long as your phone or tablet can handle HD video streaming without immediately bursting into flames, it can handle Xbox Cloud Gaming. Were starting with Fortnite and will look to bring more Free-to-Play games people love in the future. Fortnite put out a press statement on the subject; Please be aware that any solution will take time to be implemented. Fortnite on Xbox Cloud Gaming is compatible with iOS and Android phones and tablets, and Windows 10 PCs via web browser. Currently, he writes about Apple, Microsoft, VR, video games, and internet troubles. Still, that hasn't stopped companies including Google, Amazon and Netflix from investing in the technology as they attempt to compete with industry mainstays like the Xbox, Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's Switch. Explore 5 tracks and nearly 300 sessions delivered by AWS experts, customers, and partners.
