PC and console soon superfluous? Microsoft deal with Nvidia creates new opportunities
PC and console soon superfluous? Microsoft deal with Nvidia creates new opportunities, Microsoft is still working to close the deal with Activision Blizzard – so far without success. However, there is now a new deal with Nvidia. Thanks to a collaboration, it will be possible to stream many games via GeForce Now in the future.
Microsoft with Nvidia: Will consoles and PCs soon be obsolete?
In the past, Microsoft has often emphasized that the company’s goal is to offer gamers more choices and ways to play their favorite games, preferably with friends. The Xbox manufacturer has now come a little closer to this goal.
A 10-year agreement has been reached with Nvidia that will allow Xbox PC titles to be streamed to PCs, Chromebooks, smartphones and other devices via GeForce NOW . After the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, this probably also includes PC games such as Call of Duty and Halo. Here Microsoft now has the full support of Nvidia:
“The partnership provides gamers with greater choice and resolves NVIDIA’s concerns about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. Nvidia therefore offers its full support for regulatory approval of the acquisition.”
Both companies are already getting down to business. Work is already underway to integrate Xbox PC games into GeForce NOW so subscribers can stream PC games they’ve purchased from the Windows Store, including upcoming games like Starfield . Third-party titles such as Steam or Epic Games should also be included (source: Nvidia ).
Incidentally, Microsoft also signed a 10-year deal with Nintendo . This ensures that Nintendo players will soon be able to enjoy Call of Duty.
What exactly is Geforce Now? Explained in the video:
Stream games: Not always easy, especially in Germany
The overall game streaming package is still in its infancy, but this option is becoming increasingly popular. For things like Netflix, Disney+ and Co., the internet structure in Germany is almost always sufficient, but streaming services like GeForce Now require a good and fast internet connection .
Nvidia recommends a bandwidth of at least 15 Mbit/s, for Full HD and 60 FPS you need at least 25 Mbit/s and even then you can probably not assume that gaming will be really fun. In rural areas in particular, Germany is lagging behind when it comes to broadband expansion. An example from 2021 shows that only around 70 percent of households in peripheral regions have access to internet lines with speeds of 100 Mbit/s or more . Not much has happened in recent years (source: bmdv ).
While gamers in some countries could well do without consoles and PCs in the future, it will probably take a while in other countries.
