Speaking before a BAFTA audience, Microsoft’s Jerry Johnson dismisses that Cloud-platform tech like OnLive or Gaikai, can topple consoles ”for the foreseeable future.”
The corporate giant also won’t drop Xbox Live Gold membership requirements for their ”unique” Netflix, despite no such entry bar for the PlayStation Network, past a Netflix subscription.
Xbox Live EMEA’s Johnson stated that, ”streaming technology is something that the industry is betting on longer term… right now I don’t believe that technology can scale out against the experience we can offer on a local machine.”
”The technology will continue to improve. As an industry we’ll have to accept that and move with it - but I don’t think it’s on an accelerated timeline for the foreseeable future,” he added.
It’s no surprise the platform holders are comfortable for now in their hardware offerings as the cloud-platform is yet to reach a point it can prove itself viable to gamers. Meanwhile the news that Xbox 360’s movie streaming through Netflix is no longer an exclusive doesn’t deter Microsoft.
Currently to enjoy Netflix on Xbox 360 you need a Gold membership with Xbox Live and a Netflix monthly subscription, and this isn’t going to change. ”The Netflix experience on Xbox Live is unique and reflects our commitment for social entertainment,” Microsoft told IGN.
”We believe we offer an experience today that is a generation ahead of what others are offering,” the spokesperson continued.
”For a little over $4 a month Xbox LIVE Gold membership is hands-down the best value in home entertainment, and gives you exclusive access multi-player gaming and early demos as well as Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm, “1 vs 100” and more.”
PlayStation Network users don’t need to pay any additional fees past the monthly $8.99 charge of subscription to Netflix in the United States. Microsoft doesn’t seem worried that Netflix viewers might switch to the cheaper PS3 offering. Will you be switching, videogamer?
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
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