I think Microsoft might actually turn GeForce Now into a very strong competitor thanks to these deals...

• They're already Microsoft's #1 rival.
• GeForce Now is technically superior (in latency, resolution, framerate) to xCloud.
• Nvidia has their own data servers just like Microsoft, only they can upgrade them easier and quicker than Microsoft.
• GeForce Now supports K&M while xCloud doesn't.
• GeForce Now currently has a larger library.
• GeForce Now will now have a free license for all XGS, Zenimax and ABK content (Lol) for 10 years.

Really, Microsoft's only advantage now is that xCloud is attached to Game Pass and now xCloud might be crippled in UK as well, haha.

I forgot one, Game Pass PC coming to GeForce Now.

Why on Earth would people on Game Pass PC upgrade to Ultimate to use xCloud rather than just subbing to GeForce Now for $2-3 extra (in total) and use the far superior service of GeForce Now. And if you want to play COD, or another fast paced multiplayer title, why would you pick xCloud over Geforce Now when xCloud has worse latency/input lag? Lol.

MS really not competing with G-force Now which is why they probably do not care.  MS cloud platform is more a distribution service then actually a means to play games over the cloud.  As we know G-force Now is still BYOG so the purchase of those games still needs to happen which I am sure MS is fine with.

XCloud is just an add on and I do not see that changing anytime soon.  Even MS has limited confidence that XCloud is the right tool to reach the mobile market which is why they really want King and to start building mobile specific games for that audience.

Because you do not have to purchase those games.

Yes, 100%, It's cool that MS is attempting something with Xcloud, but the way things are now, they clearly just want to offer the feature without much of having it be a point of focus where they need to innovate on a continual basis.

I think Microsoft is better to create an environment where partners can thrive on this than really single things out. Kinda the same way MS partners with software development companies everywhere in the world for the development of custom software solutions that they could very well offer themselves but don't, it create a more focused separation of concern and an area where every actor could thrive and be more efficient.

Hold on, let me correct some things.

I fucked the pricing up, I'll try again, haha.

So Game Pass PC (basic tier) doesn't come with xCloud, only the GPU tier does.

• PC Game Pass is $10 a month, GPU is $17 a month.
• GeForce Now has a free tier, a priority tier for $10 and a premium tier for $20.

You can get PC Game Pass at $10 and GFN Priority for $10 for a total of $20.

For only $3 extra than subbing to GPU for xCloud, you could get a superior service in GFN and you won't need to purchase XGS/Zenimax/ABK IP because Game Pass PC is coming to GeForce Now.

I must have missed this...?

'Microsoft even took steps to expand Call of Duty to non-Microsoft platforms. On the day of the merger's announcement, Microsoft called the head of Nintendo North America, Doug Bowser, and Nintendo's lead for partnerships, Steve Singer, to discuss a partnership to bring Call of Duty to the Switch. (Dkt. No. 282, 6/22/23 Tr. (Bond) at 167:24-169:18.) Those discussions led to an inked deal to bring Call of Duty to the Switch. All of this conduct is inconsistent with an intent to foreclose"

PacerMonitor Document View - 3:23-cv-02880 - Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft Corporation et al, Docket Item 305

So Microsoft intended to bring Call of Duty to Switch before any regulator even got involved?

So Nintendo didn't get a deal thanks to regulators, they got a deal simply because Microsoft wanted to give them one?

And the deals with the Cloud Companies are still only thanks to the European Commission, Lol.

I'm not surprised Microsoft wanted to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. They were going to treat the franchise the same way it does Minecraft even before regulators stepped in.

I hate this dude... reeeeee