Farewell
Minecraft Earth set to shutdown in June 2021
The AR title launched in October 2019
Company Profile
Microsoft
Website
www.microsoft.com
About
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
Related People
Agostino Simonetta
Director for global partnership management ID@Xbox
Asha Sharma
EVP and CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Brad Smith
President
Satya Nadella
CEO
Andy Lunique
Influencer Relations Manager
Miguel Vicente
Audience Marketing Manager, Portugal
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Accolades
Articles featuring Microsoft
In The Clouds
Project xCloud is coming to iOS devices in Spring 2021
It will also enter new markets such as Japan, Brazil, Australia and Mexico
Getting Competitive
Microsoft acquires esports events firm Smash.gg
No figure put on the deal yet
Popping Off
Microsoft is shutting down Gears Pop in April 2021
Refunds will be offered for purchased made in the last 90 days
Moving On
Minecraft players will need a Microsoft account from 2021
To increase account security
Make It Happen
Microsoft is looking at a web-based xCloud app for iOS devices
"We absolutely will end up on iOS with Game Pass"
Lawful Diversity
The US Labor department is investigating Microsoft's diversity initiative
"We are clear that the law prohibits us from discriminating on the basis of race"
Attack The Block
Microsoft and Nintendo team up to bring Minecraft to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Minecraft Steve, Alex, Zombie and Enderman all join the fight
Mobile Play
Microsoft is launching a new Xbox app with remote play on iOS
Already available on Android
Heading To Japan
Microsoft is launching xCloud in Japan in 2021
"In Japan, we're seeing the community embrace this freedom to play"
Future Perfect
Post-ZeniMax, Microsoft still open to game acquisitions
"We'll always look for places where there is that commonality of purpose, mission and culture"
Big Acquisition
Microsoft acquires ZeniMax Media and Bethesda for $7.5 billion
"We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades..."
Pgc Helsinki Digital
PGC Helsinki Digital: What is happening at ID@Xbox
"We have a lot of developers reaching out to us to discuss Game Pass"
Got Your Back
Microsoft gives its support to Epic in its ongoing feud with Apple
"Developing a game using different game engines for different platforms may be prohibitively expensive and difficult"
Money Money Money
Microsoft's worth jumps up by $77 billion after announcing plans to buy TikTok in the US
It is valued at $1.6 trillion
Access Denied
Apple claims that cloud gaming apps like Project xCloud violate its policies
Microsoft is still commited to bringing its platform to iOS
Io-no
Project xCloud testing ceases on iOS devices
The app was expired on August 5th
On The Go
Microsoft pins down September 15th launch date for Project xCloud Game Pass Ultimate beta
Available in 22 markets on Android devices
Tick Tock
Update: Trump insists the US government should have a slice of Microsoft's TikTok deal
President Trump has given the company 45 days to secure a deal
X-back
Update: Microsoft isn't actually rebranding Xbox Game Pass
Firm confirms that new logo doesn't mean new name
Moving On
Mojang is moving Minecraft to Microsoft's Azure servers
Title previously posted on Amazon's platform
Getting Ultimate
Project xCloud is becoming part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in September
"When cloud gaming launches into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can continue your game wherever you left off on any of your devices"
Total Control
Microsoft reveals official Project xCloud mobile controller
Officially licensed from 8BitDo
Possible Acquisition
Report: Xbox is interested in buying Warner Bros' games division
Microsoft joins Activision Blizzard, EA, and Take-Two in its interest for WBIE
10 Years On
Opinion: Seven problems Microsoft will have to overcome to make Windows Phone 7 a success
How to make a winner
Pride
Microsoft donates $250,000 to LGBTQI+ organisations to celebrate Pride
"To help in their fight for LGBTQI+ rights and racial equity"
Be Diverse
Microsoft is committing $150 million to diversity and inclusion
"We are committed to take action to help address racial injustice and inequity"
Laters Mixer
Microsoft is shutting down Mixer and partnering with Facebook Gaming
Microsoft launched the platform in 2016
Street Life
How does Forza Street monetise?
Is the racer's mobile debut generous or greedy?
More Games!
Microsoft adds another five games to Project xCloud on Android
Including Mortal Kombat X and Batman: Arkham Knight
Round The Track
Forza Street races onto mobile devices after nine months of soft launch
The game was first teased back in March 2019
Beta Booming
Microsoft's Project xCloud accumulates "hundreds of thousands" of active users
"Commercial cloud revenue generating $13.3 billion"
Streaming
Microsoft is bringing Project xCloud streaming service to Western Europe
11 countries will get access
Out The Gate
Bill Gates leaves the Microsoft board
But he will maintain his role as a tech advisor
Containment
Update: Rockstar, EA and Maysalward are the latest companies to enforce remote working due to the coronavirus
Microsoft, Apple, Facebook and Google also request staff to work remotely
E3 Drama
Microsoft and Ubisoft are looking at digital events to replace E3
As are EA, Devolver and Limited Run Games
No Go
Epic and Microsoft join Unity, EA, Facebook and Sony in withdrawing from GDC 2020
Annual games conference loses more key companies
Capacity Full
Microsoft's Project xCloud launches preview on iOS
The UK, US and Canada only
Project Xcloud
Microsoft and Samsung team up for "cloud-based game streaming"
Forza Street simultaneously announced for Galaxy devices
Infectious
Plague Inc. overtakes Minecraft as top paid app in the US due to coronavirus association
Minecraft lead chart for the majority of 2019
New Deal
US and China proposed console tariffs postponed indefinitely
"There's a lot of work to do ahead"
Join The Fun
Project xCloud makes its way to Canada as part of preview rollout
Invited Canadians will have access from January 29th
Green Is Good
Microsoft pledges to be "carbon negative" by 2030
Plans to remove all carbon emitted by 2050
Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft adds 50 more games to Project xCloud
Available now in Japan, Canada and India
Negotiations
US and China agree to roll back tariffs that were set to affect console and mobile
A new deal is pending
Great Pivot
Microsoft reveals Android-based Surface Duo foldable 8.3” phone
Due late 2020
Blockbuster Numbers
Minecraft surpasses 112 million players each month
Over 176 million physical copies have been sold around the world
Project Xcloud
Microsoft partners with SK Telecom on 5G-based cloud gaming in South Korea
“Partnerships, like the one we announced with SK Telecom today, are critical to continuing that trajectory and moving the gaming industry forward”
Gears Royale
Gears Pop snags one million players
The title has been an early top 100 grossing game in the UK and US
Closed Beta
Minecraft Earth beta is coming to Android devices next week
Players must be 18 years old with a device running Android 7 or above