Windows Phone 7 meets Xbox LIVE with mobile gaming

Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 17:34

Opinion and Analysis

Ho Ho what's this?  A big push from Microsoft to bring Xbox LIVE based gaming to the mobile platform.  Unveiled at Gamescom comes information on how Xbox LIVE functionality under WIndows Phone 7, will move into the phone space.

It was back at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2007 when Bill Gates (remember him?) touted the vision of cross platform gaming, primarily between PC, Xbox 360 and mobile devices.

Well it never really took off did it?  Many lamented, many didn't care.  Microsoft has continued to chip away at the idea, XBOX Live gamer tags and associated achievements and statistics have been cross platform (PC and Xbox 360) for some time now.  But only handful - three from memory - actual games took advantage of trying to utilise cross platform game-play.

But what about mobile gaming?  Microsoft has a brand new operating system to show off, the tongue twisting Windows Phone 7, and for gaming it is not afraid to start utilising it.

Over at Gamescom Cologne Microsoft wheeled out the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching for Windows Phone 7 equipped devices

According to Microsoft:   With even more games and applications to come, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand.  Only Windows Phone 7 has a Games hub featuring Xbox LIVE, creating a different kind of mobile gaming experience that puts the games you want front and centre. 

With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.

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