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One of the most interesting developments this console generation has been the shrinking barriers between competing platforms. Not long ago, every console was its own walled garden, but slowly connective tissues have started to grow in terms of being able to play with each other regardless of platform. While Sony has been a little slow on the draw with this trend, Microsoft and Nintendo have been eager to embrace it and they have taken another step forward.
Going forward, Xbox Live users will be able to start accessing the service across Xbox, PC, iOS, Android, and even Nintendo Switch. For Switch, this will be relatively limited to start, with Minecraft being the only major Microsoft associated title on Switch. However, access will be extended to pretty much any developer interested in implementing it. For Switch, this could be especially significant because, let’s be honest, Nintendo’s online tools for things like voice chat and friends lists aren’t as implemented as they are on other services while Xbox Live is one of the oldest, most feature rich online systems in the industry. Also, the ability to earn achievements on Switch might quiet the small group of people complaining about the lack of achievements on the system.
Of course, Microsoft’s motivation is pretty obvious as this move will grow Xbox Live’s potential user-base from about 400 million devices, to over 2 billion devices. We’ll also have to see how many games take advantage of this development, but the potential is definitely exciting.
Source: IGN
