MS developing a new cloud streaming console codenamed "Scarlett Cloud."

#1
Brave Volunteer

Brave Volunteer

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#1
Interesting.

A Few More Details About Microsoft's Xbox Scarlett Game Streaming Service - Thurrott.com

Back at E3, Microsoft mentioned that they were working on a next-generation console. At that time, I noted that this new console is a family of devices and was going by the name of Scarlett.

Since uncovering that little bit of info, I was able to dig up a few tiny bits of content about how Microsoft is developing its next-generation consoles. And yes consoles because right now, they are planning two different pieces of hardware.

First, Microsoft is building a traditional console that you would expect from the Xbox brand. I think it’s important to point this out so that those who prefer to have all their hardware locally, will have an option with the next generation Xbox.

As for specs for this device, that’s still not known at this time as it’s the early days of development for that piece of hardware. But what I am starting to hear more about is the second device, a streaming box that is designed to work with the company’s upcoming game streaming platform.

Scarlett Cloud as one person called it, is the game streaming service that we have all been envisioning ever since Microsoft showed off a demo game streaming at its all-employee meeting back in 2013. But this time, Microsoft has a path to bring it to market.

The second ‘console’ that the company is working on is a lower-powered device that is currently planned to ship with the next generation device that is designed for game-streaming. But the catch here is that Microsoft thinks it has figured out how to handle the latency sensitive aspects of gaming.

The cloud console will have a limited amount of compute locally for specific tasks like controller input, image processing, and importantly, collision detection. The downside of this is that it since more hardware is needed locally, it will raise the price of the streaming box but it will still cost significantly less than what we are accustomed to paying for a new-generation console which should help expand the platform’s reach.

And that is very important as Microsoft doesn’t typically make much money on the hardware sales but they do on things like Xbox Live, Xbox Gamepass, and game sales. If Microsoft can create a next-gen console that requires lower up-front payment and longer subscription payments (remember, all games will run in the cloud, so you will need to pay ‘something’ to access them), this is a huge win for Xbox and Microsoft.

The portion of the game that runs locally, some have referred to it as a slice or splice, means that the game is ‘running’ in two locations at the same time and utilizes Microsoft’s cloud to stitch it all together.

The benefit here is that Microsoft’s cloud platform reaches around the globe with data centers in every major market. This makes streaming the games platform available globally but this also likely means that it can run on any type of device. Of course, Microsoft would love you to buy their hardware but the company’s end-goal is that you can access ‘Xbox’ from any device, anywhere and Scarlett Cloud is looking to deliver on this idea.

One person familiar with Microsoft’s plans said that this may reduce latency in all aspects of the game as well. If a multiplayer game is using Azure as it’s central server, Scarlett Cloud console will be closer physically to the multiplayer server resulting in less latency.

When it comes to games, all Scarlett games will run on all Scarlett devices. Meaning, both consoles will be first-class citizens and there is not expected to be an awkward ‘this game only runs on the non-cloud Scarlett’.

The cloud version of Scarlett is further along in the development cycle than the traditional console that will also be released in 2020. This device does make me wonder if it has any relationship to the Xbox Hobart streaming device that was nearly released two years ago but was canceled late in the development cycle.

Microsoft has become quite confident in their streaming solution and now that they figured out how to bring it to market after many years of development, they are pushing forward with those plans.
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#2
#2
Last time MS tried to revolutionize consoles and go all digital they fell flat on their face.

Will be interesting to see what happens this time around. If cloud gaming worked, it would be awesome and a game changer.
 
#3
#3
DrRosenRosen said:
Last time MS tried to revolutionize consoles and go all digital they fell flat on their face.

Will be interesting to see what happens this time around. If cloud gaming worked, it would be awesome and a game changer.
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People with data caps or poor internet connection will be screwed. As long as it's optional only, I'm fine with it. However an all streaming future in gaming is something I don't want to see.
 
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#5
#5
Brave Volunteer said:
People with data caps or poor internet connection will be screwed. As long as it's optional only, I'm fine with it. However an all streaming future in gaming is something I don't want to see.
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You'd rather keep dropping hundreds to upgrade every few years versus a developer being able to add new hardware on the cloud to boost graphics and performance any time they want?

I understand it on single player games, but everything else would be better on a cloud server if it works.

Of course, there's drawbacks as well. And that will mainly be money and charging for multiple subs to multiple game companies, etc.
 
#6
#6
DrRosenRosen said:
You'd rather keep dropping hundreds to upgrade every few years versus a developer being able to add new hardware on the cloud to boost graphics and performance any time they want?

I understand it on single player games, but everything else would be better on a cloud server if it works.

Of course, there's drawbacks as well. And that will mainly be money and charging for multiple subs to multiple game companies, etc.
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I'd rather own my games.
 
#8
#8
There's enough issues worth devs/publishers/companies rolling out crappy updates and failing to keep their services online. Streaming games is not worth it.
 
#9
#9
DrRosenRosen said:
You'd rather keep dropping hundreds to upgrade every few years versus a developer being able to add new hardware on the cloud to boost graphics and performance any time they want?

I understand it on single player games, but everything else would be better on a cloud server if it works.

Of course, there's drawbacks as well. And that will mainly be money and charging for multiple subs to multiple game companies, etc.
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Isn’t inout lag still an issue with these streaming services or no?
 
#10
#10
Freak said:
Isn’t inout lag still an issue with these streaming services or no?
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Yes, and data caps are a big issue as well. MS claims to have the former solved, but data caps are still an issue. Plus there's the whole net neutrality issue, which may affect MS' streaming plans.
 
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#11
They are saying that when 5G comes about that lag won't be an issue and data caps will go away. I guess we will have to see. Even Sony said that by 2022 games will delivered digitally. No more discs.
 
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***RoadVol*** said:
They are saying that when 5G comes about that lag won't be an issue and data caps will go away. I guess we will have to see. Even Sony said that by 2022 games will delivered digitally. No more discs.
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I'm fine with digital downloads to the hard drve. I've already gone all digital myself. I just dont like the idea of an all streaming, subscription based future in gaming.

Regarding data caps, I dont see how that's just going to go away. Why would internet providers simply give up that revenue stream?
 
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#14
Call me an old timer, but there is just something about owning your own physical copy of a game that I enjoy.
 
#15
#15
zhangliao04 said:
Call me an old timer, but there is just something about owning your own physical copy of a game that I enjoy.
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I used to think that too until I made the switch. There's no way I'd go back to physical now, LOL. The convenience factor of just having everything at your fingertips is too compelling for me. Plus, I got tired of making shelf space for all the game cases.
 
#17
#17
Brave Volunteer said:
I'm fine with digital downloads to the hard drve. I've already gone all digital myself. I just dont like the idea of an all streaming, subscription based future in gaming.

Regarding data caps, I dont see how that's just going to go away. Why would internet providers simply give up that revenue stream?
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Data caps were first brought about due to capacity. 5g eliminates the capacity issue. Then I can see the providers start using no data caps to gain market share.
 
#18
#18
***RoadVol*** said:
Data caps were first brought about due to capacity. 5g eliminates the capacity issue. Then I can see the providers start using no data caps to gain market share.
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Depends on the competition I guess. There are areas where Comcast or Time Warner is the only game in town. Why would they simply give that extra revenue up? Because you know a lot of their customers surpass their data limits for extra charges. I would LOVE for that to happen, I guess I'm just too cynical to believe companies would simply give up that extra revenue.
 
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#19
#19
Brave Volunteer said:
Depends on the competition. There are areas where Comcast or Time Warner is the only game in town. Why would they simply give that extra revenue up? Because you know a lot of their customers surpass their data limits for extra charges.
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Comcast or Time Warner won't be the only option in the near future. The new tech coming in the next 5 or so years is going to make it easier for other companies to jump into the game. You won't have to depend on wired internet.
 
#20
#20
***RoadVol*** said:
Comcast or Time Warner won't be the only option in the near future. The new tech coming in the next 5 or so years is going to make it easier for other companies to jump into the game. You won't have to depend on wired internet.
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This is where the technology has been heading the last few years. I welcome cloud based gaming and the advantages of it far, far outweigh the initial roadblocks that will be taken down soon.
 
#21
#21
BearCat204 said:
This is where the technology has been heading the last few years. I welcome cloud based gaming and the advantages of it far, far outweigh the initial roadblocks that will be taken down soon.
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I'm interested to learn more about this technology from MS. It sounds like it won't be 100% cloud-based. The box will contain at least SOME hardware to make it work. How much is the question. Also, I wonder if this is 100% streaming or if you still have to purchase and download the games in full or buy the disks? It's all very fascinating. I LOVE when new hardware launches! It's the best time when you're an avid gamer!
 
#22
#22
Brave Volunteer said:
I'm interested to learn more about this technology from MS. It sounds like it won't be 100% cloud-based. The box will contain at least SOME hardware to make it work. How much is the question. Also, I wonder if this is 100% streaming or if you still have to purchase and download the games in full or buy the disks? It's all very fascinating. I LOVE when new hardware launches! It's the best time when you're an avid gamer!
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From what little has been said about it they will charge a monthly subscription fee like they do with gamepass now. No need to buy the game.
 
#24
#24
Brave Volunteer said:
I used to think that too until I made the switch. There's no way I'd go back to physical now, LOL. The convenience factor of just having everything at your fingertips is too compelling for me. Plus, I got tired of making shelf space for all the game cases.
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Honestly, I think that is the reason why I like it haha. Probably just for the nostalgia of it all. Ah high school, when game nights required you bringing your own console over and copy of the game so that you could have LAN parties until 4 a.m. while stuffing yourself full with pizza and mountain dew.
 
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