Nintendo is gearing up to offer its own streaming service using Microsoft Azure

David Gibson said on Twitter that Nintendo will also be following in the footsteps of Sony. Nintendo is set to use Microsoft Azure for their streaming service.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Okay interesting but streaming.....

[Razzer]

Okay interesting but who the hell is Dave Gibson and why should anyone listen to him? Serious question.

[Kiwi66]

He's an industry analyst apparently

[Razzer]

Could be an industry analyst wannabe for all we know.

[gangsta_red]

He's the founder and maker of Gibson guitars. Have you not heard his music?

[Razzer]

@gangsta_red

lol.....insider confirmed!

[gangsta_red]

This streaming is definitely gaining a lot of traction.

I can definitely see Nintendo wanting to do this for Switch, especially with it being portable and all. It would definitely benefit.

[uth11]

It's basically companies hedging their bets, they don't want to be left behind in case it does take off. We saw the same thing happen 10 years ago, it didn't pan out then. I don't exactly think it's going to take off now.

[gangsta_red]

10 years ago with what?

There's way too many companies jumping aboard for it not to be viable. Streaming movies and music is already a norm, it won't be long for interactive media like video games to do the same.

[uth11]

There was big push for streaming 10 years ago. Maybe companies want it, but players are apathetic or hostile to it

[Nyxus]

A portable being dependent on an internet connection is very impractical.

[King_Noctis]

There are wifi almost everywhere right now, so that isn’t as big of an issue as it once was.

[UltraNova]

King,

You say that like every wifi in the world (and its connection speed, lag, number of people using it at the same time, distance from router etc etc) is game steaming ready and optimal...you are so sorely mistaken!

[bluefox755]

@King Public wifi is almost always horrible.

[rainslacker]

With mobile data it's more practical. But mobile providers in the US are very expensive for unlimited plans with reliable data throughput. Even with unlimited data, they will throttle it if you use it to much. And a lot of times, lag isn't their primary concern.

But, no mobile platform should ever require an internet connection. Have these services available for those with access, but keep it available offline for when they aren't.

@King

In major cities, yeah, it's not that bad. Get more than 20 miles outside the city, or less populated areas, and coverage can be very spotty. Even if there is coverage, it may not be the best. When I moved only 30 minutes outside the city, I could get T-Mobile with my phone, but it was so sh*t, that I couldn't even use the phone in my house. I switched to ATT on the same service(I use consumer cellular), and it works fine.

So, no, it isn't almost everywhere.

[SLiSH83]

I have a mobile hotspot

[IamTylerDurden1]

Gangster

It's garnering attention, but not traction per se. Companies are simply hedging their bets and preparing for the future, but the infrastructure is still several years away from mass consumer adoption. It's very similar to VR a couple of years ago. Companies see a viable, emergent technology and they want to get in on the ground floor. It's a great sign that companies are investing in the technology, but we are still years away until streaming really hits stride. Just like we talked about VR in 2016, this is merely the beginning. But i recall you not believing in VR yet you think streaming is the future? Interesting. I wonder if your attitude towards VR has to do with a certain company's lack of support in the technology, and likewise, if your enthusiasm for streaming has anything to do with a certain company's Azure infrastructure? Food for thought. Also, with such enthusiasm for streaming i imagine you were over the moon when Sony announced PSNow all those years ago. They were the first of the big 3 and the only major company i recall to support game streaming in that capacity. I can't remember, but you must've been so positive and supportive of Sony's efforts to promote game streaming seeing as how much you believe in the technology. Considering how new the tech was and that neither MS nor Nintendo supported it (so u had no comparison to say it's bad) i doubt you would've criticised PSNow because obviously such a new and innovative idea would need time to work out the kinks and supporting the service would really be supporting game streaming as a whole.

[gangsta_red]

Not really sure what your points are or what you're even trying to say but mine remain the same.

I have always said that VR at it's current state isn't appealing or ready but it could be sometime in the future.

The same with streaming, it's definitely not fully ready but we can see every company prepping for it for the future.

I've always praised PSnow I think it's a great idea even when others kept slamming it for it's lag and gameplay in 720p. I have always said Sony should offer it's whole catalog of games through that service since BC wasn't an option.

So yes, streaming is still in it's infancy more so than VR and just like the two maybe they'll grow to be a concrete staple in gaming.

Hopefully that clears the air with whatever stance you thought I had with what you were mentioning.

[FallenAngel1984]

I wish Nintendo would just improve their online period

It’s hard to get excited for any of Nintendo’s future online ventures when they’re still missing basic features and make you pay for an underwhelming service

[FallenAngel1984]

No this isn’t their first time, Nintendo has been doing online gaming since 2005 and they’ve been flubbing it up ever since. There’s no excuse for their efforts to continously poor every system

[Vasto]

Project X Cloud must be getting some really high praise behind the scenes. E3 cant come fast enough.

[IamTylerDurden1]

It's just the easiest server infrastructure for tendo n Sony to jump in on. Makes the most sense and Google is scaring everyone. Sometimes certain rivals have resources you need. MS needed blu ray. I know there are multiple partners in blu ray, it's not solely owned by Sony, but it's about playing ball in order to advance.

E3 has lost its luster and will continue to lose partners. It's sad, but reality. Look back at 2015 and 2016 and compare this year to E3 back then.

[SyntheticForm]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

[bluefox755]

I think the only ones scared by Google are investors, and as we see with EA, investors are rather out of touch with gamers.

[rainslacker]

All Cloud services can adapt to whatever software you can put in them. There is no easier or harder. You write your software to a base platform within a few different paradigms of programming, upload them, and they work.

[jaycptza]

For businesses money talks

[rob-GP]

Nothing to do with X cloud. If the service is like we saw in the trial, there’s at least a second of lag and the servers are based on S hardware, so not visually that impressive. The infrastructure of Azure is the impressive side, as they’ve been upgrading their servers constantly. Although, they’re nothing compared to Google’s tbh...

However, X cloud all relies on its software and the S hardwear it’s running off. An example of this is you may have an armature website on the same hosting as a professional one. The pro one looks and runs great yet the amateur one runs really slow. That’s because of the users created content/site, not the servers or systems.

[Lennoxb63]

"Although, they’re nothing compared to Google’s tbh..."

Azure surpassed Google's and Amazon's cloud infrastructure a few years ago.

[HighPlayer28]

Me either cant wait it must be a game changer for competition to want it lol.

[meka2611]

Well Microsoft azure services has been around for awhile and it does work great. I work in IT so we do a lot of work for it. Right now for business' it makes it so they don't have to have their own server as azure takes care of that. Plus it is completely integrated for office which makes life way easier for us. Not sure how they will apply this to gaming but in terms of business azure is very nice.

[IamTylerDurden1]

The survive together logo is ridiculous. Are people really still using it? I remember it was Septic's background on his community for a while.

[Kribwalker]

what is stupid about it? It was used before to announce MS and Nintendo’s partnerships with crossplay, Now Nintendo are joining sony on the Azure Cloud to survive together against Google. Should we add a Sony logo in there as well?

[Obscure_Observer]

@IamTylerDurden1

Why so mad? The original logo was posted by Nintendo on their official twitter account. The Nintendo and Microsoft partnership is a reality. Deal with it.

[Soybetaboy]

Microsoft is killing next generation, already has Sony and Nintendo under there foot

[MadLad]

That's a stretch.

[Razzer]

Um......if this all goes to pass then Microsoft will actually be working for Sony and Nintendo. You realize that, right? Hell.....Sony and Nintendo may become more lucrative than their own Xbox brand. Those are two high profile customers for Azure.

[Ristul]

That's what I was thinking, MS might become a service provider for the other consolemakers. Interesting times ahead.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Ristul

Microsoft will be making big money out of Nintendo and Sony. Another high profitable revenue stream for them. If Phil Spencer continue to heavily invest on new games and studios, the Xbox brand will only get better come next generation

[Ristul]

Obscure: We shall see, it could be that MS finds success in this direction. Its strange, you would think that Nintendo and Sony would want to be independent of other services, even more so when its a direct competitor. On the other hand, maybe MS goes all services in the future and this would make more sense if thats true.

[Razzer]

Sony and Nintendo were going to have to depend on a third party for any kind real cloud support. Cloud isn't part of their business model. Just like Netflix is dependent on Amazon for their cloud. Whether Amazon gets the money or Microsoft or any other cloud provider, it really makes no difference to either Sony or Nintendo.

[rainslacker]

Not sure how MS providing cloud hosting services allows them to have Sony or Nintendo under foot or give them a stronger position for next gen. Xbox isnt profiting off it, this is a MS proper thing. MS can't just take these technologies from other companies for their own gain, so it really does nothing for Xbox, and MS isn't going to do unethical things to try and gain an advantage.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

This is pretty much what Microsoft wanted. Even if they are in last place they still will be in everyone's pockets. Good for them I guess.

[Soybetaboy]

Your darn right, they have both of them in their pocket.

[HighPlayer28]

More money cash flow more game studios and new ips win win for Microsoft. Microsoft will be a powerhouse next gen with these giants Nin and Sony using their technology.

[Emme]

Unless Switch supports 5g, I cant see this happening this gen.Or do You want to play AC Odyssey in 320*200 resolution ?

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Wow, Microsoft is teaming up with Sony and Nintendo to compete against Google, awesome!

[TheColbertinator]

Yes my children. Feed upon the sweet Microsoft bosom ~~

[Razzer]

Gross dude

[HighPlayer28]

LOL

[Dragonscale]

Sounds like you're feeding on another part of ms' anatomy col.

[MasterCornholio]

Got milk?

[dcbronco]

This could turn out great for gamers. Streaming might be the beginning of the end for the need for publishers. That means mass distribution without disc, pressing, format royalties, so many of the expenses that can be prohibitive to small developers or that makes it hard to recover from a bad release. This should also allow games to move forward other things that will make the games themselves better

[meep316]

I’m glad they are working together on the off chance google gets some traction. Like hell I would use a google device for anything at all. We are talking about a company who drives around and steals information through wifi...

[CrimsonWing69]

Great... just what everyone wanted...

Hey Nintendo, why don’t you fix your online service before you jump into a streaming service?

[EddieNX]

I called this. Numerous times.

[Imortus_san]

It seams Microsoft is already the Leading Cash in next gen.

[HighPlayer28]

Yup they will be a powerhouse cant wait for E3.

[Razzer]

What does "next gen" have to do with how much money MS has? MS was leading in cash before the current gen even started.

[HighPlayer28]

Wow next gen hasn't even started yet and Microsoft is winning big time with the Cloud. They have Nin and Sony under contract for their services, thats a major asset for Microsoft and will only improve Xbox.

[MasterCornholio]

So how will Sony and Nintendo improve Xbox? Azure isn't part of the Xbox division to my knowledge so I'm just curious.

[HighPlayer28]

Xbox live runs on Azure servers smh inform yourself. Microsoft is finally dedicated to Xbox next gen and are fully investing in it unlike previous generations. If you can't see that and the competition even can see it you are a blind fanboy.

[MasterCornholio]

Nah I'm not the one doing the name calling here. Usually that's a sign of weakness.

Also Microsoft was always dedicated to Xbox even at the beginning of this gen. It's just after the initial failings of the Xbox One they saw that they had to change their strategy in order to remain competitive in the industry.

But im used to Microsoft talking alot and not fulfilling their promises. From the looks of it they are acquiring studios to make their first party much stronger than Sonys but we will have to wait and see if that will actually happen. Also claiming that they will have a vastly more powerful next gen system is something that remains to be seen as well.

To be fair it looks like Microsoft is at least trying this time around. Whether or not they will do much better next gen remains to be seen.

Anyways nice having a chat with you and please refrain from personal attacks in the future.

:)

[Nasdac]

Azure is MS service like Windows / Office / Skype etc.

It's not Xbox related, it's out for everyone as a business product similar to Sony BR / DVD , Audiokinetic etc.

If it was related to Xbox would be staying as Xclusive feature but MS is not just Xbox, Never was.

So stop making a console war about it, doesn't make any sense at all as long as Xbox loosing Xclusivity to most of their games, Nintendo and Sony still have their own Golden studio's and keep delivering out amazing games. Let's hope Xbox can keep on the next round with dignity (not just in speeches).

[rainslacker]

There are some xbox related deals being discussed with Sony though. But, yeah, the bulk of the reported deals are more about cloud in general. I personally don't feel that that just hosting any of these other cloud game streaming services really has anything to do with Xbox, as they'll be running their own software. I think people don't really understand how cloud programming works, or how the servers work. It's not like they're running Windows instances to run a bunch of programs. Every program runs on it's own platform, some of which are based on versions available on other platforms. So, for instance, PSNow, would be running on a PS3 type emulator, or PS4, or any other relevant platform. That's how the hardware is set up, and it's highly adaptable.

Best way to describe it would be when I was in school, our school had cloud based software access for programs that people may need to use to do their school work. One could run these through a web browser plug in. The programs would be Windows based commercial or enterprise software, AppleOS based development tools, Linux based high end art development programs, etc. I don't know which cloud service they used, but they all work in the same way.

[RangerWalk267]

Microsoft is gonna be making serious bank on Azure. I'm pretty sure they already are. I'm guessing Sony and Nintendo have seen the performance of this service first hand...And it must be impressive for them to partner up.

[SephirothX21]

Stadia is coming...

[phoenixwing]

@sephiroth

yes that's basically it. They saw that google was entering the ring and maybe with apple on the way and amazon dipping its toes and they all banded together like it was game of thrones with winter/white walker horde coming.

[GameStallion]

LOL, how embarrassing for these two companies- they should just say: Survive PlayStation.

[Kribwalker]

But Sony is also using Azure to move forward with cloud computing, they are all working together to survive this shift, it’s a good thing MS has been planning for this for years

[GameStallion]

True, & Microsoft gets to use Sony's image sensors as part of the deal. I think my point is, Sony does need this because they’re planning for the future, not because they immediately need it to survive... so I don’t think Sony would join in on an embarrassing ad like that. That was just the feeling I got when I saw it. Cheers.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

So much $$$ from competitors. I want to see this money poured into Xbox Gamepass and PlayAnywhere content.

[HighPlayer28]

It will and more new studios big time win for Microsoft.