One of the major gaming news stories out of 2018 was when Microsoft announced Project xCloud. Microsoft’s very own game streaming solution hopes to bring console and PC games to mobile devices, allowing people to enjoy the games and franchises that they love any time, anywhere, and from any platform.

It’s an ambitious project and one that will require a significant undertaking and investment from Microsoft to make happen. However, if Microsoft puts in the time and resources, Project xCloud could succeed and it’s all for one simple reason.

Why Project xCloud is Poised for Success

Spoiler alert: that simple reason is accessibility. Project xCloud is Microsoft’s effort to reach out to mobile gamers specifically. While its own mobile operating system and devices have been a glorious failure, according to The Verge, by addressing the real interest in playing console-quality games on mobile devices and making it easy to do just that, Microsoft may have tapped into a gold mine.

Admittedly, Microsoft is a little late to the party as other developers and publishers in gaming have already made significant efforts to appeal to the mobile gaming market. In the traditional gaming space, Fortnite developer Epic Games has made its hit multiplayer title available on mobile devices and it has enabled cross-platform play (play with people on all platforms) as well. In the casino sector, online casinos such as CasinoCruise have tried to offer all of their games – including slots, table games, and roulette games – on mobile as well. Mobile casino apps generally offer all of these games in one place and are well-optimized too, meaning that players get the same experience no matter what platform they’re playing on. If Microsoft is able to deliver such an experience in making its Windows PC and Xbox One games available on mobile, then it could benefit similarly.

How Microsoft Has Already Embraced Accessibility

Microsoft has already made a real effort to embrace accessibility and recent moves by the company show just how important it is to its business to get everyone playing. WIRED shines a light on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a peripheral that allows those with disabilities that limit their mobility to enjoy games. There are an estimated 30 million disabled gamers in the United States alone, according to that report, making it a smart business decision as much as it is a step forward for inclusivity.

Additionally, Microsoft offers programs such as the Xbox Game Pass – an all-you-can-eat feast of games offered with a monthly (or annual) subscription – as well as Xbox Play Anywhere which gives you a copy of a game on Xbox One if you own it on PC or vice versa. These services and Project xCloud reflect a willingness to adapt to the changing ways in which people are enjoying their games.

Project xCloud is still a while away from launching but, from what Microsoft has revealed, things are incredibly promising. Many will be interested in seeing what other accessibility-focused features the company is able to come up with next.

Are you an expert gamer who is often asked for tips and suggestions on gaming? That’s awesome! But isn’t it tiring to explain the same tips and suggestions to each of your friends or newbie gamers individually? It is. The smartest solution here is to create a gameplay channel where you can demonstrate the gameplay and offer tips via recorded gameplay videos. This way, anyone who needs tips on gaming will get easy access to your gameplay and related suggestions. Besides, you will be relieved from explaining the same thing to each new gamer individually.

The post below offers expert tips on creating a successful gameplay channel.

Invest in a good gameplay recorder

You must be wondering how to record your gameplay while you are gaming on your computer. Well, you have screen recorder programs today that can record your screen activities and create a video out of them. But you should take a comparative survey on 3-4 screen recording programs before you make the final call. Movavi Screen Capture Studio will be a trusted solution here. Movavi is an internationally reputed software developer and its screen capture program can be easily used for live gameplay recording. The program also supports video editing and converting functions.

Make engaging videos

The best engaging videos are those that can portray a realistic ambience for the viewers. For example, when you are recording the gameplay, you can keep your computer webcam on. It will enable you to capture your expressions and excitement while playing the game. Your winning smile when you overcome a tough obstacle or your sigh when you lose a level is important to set an engrossing atmosphere for the viewers. It will make them feel you are playing sitting next to them only. And this feel of closeness will boost your viewership and subscriber base big time.

Post regularly

There are tens and hundreds of gameplay channels online. If you really want to secure an edge over the competition, you have to be regular with your posts in the channel. Try to post 3-4 gameplay videos every week. Your gameplay channel should also house your expert reviews on latest games.

Include CTA

If you are looking to monetize through your gameplay channel on YouTube, you will have to gather minimum 1,000 subscribers & 4,000 hours of viewing within a year. And that calls for inspiring your viewers for increased share of your videos and steady clicks on “subscribe” button. But you have to remind your viewers of shares, subscription, likes and comments every time they watch your video. So, after you finish the gameplay, keep 5-7 seconds for the request of subscription, likes and shares.

Interact with viewers

Regular interaction with viewers is essential to keep your gameplay channel active. Respond as fast as possible whenever you see a comment on your video. If someone shows appreciation for your gameplay demos, thank the person and encourage him/her to check out further videos. If someone wants to start a conversation regarding a specific aspect of your video, encourage it and actively participate in the conversation.

Final words

Your job does not end with posting your videos on your gameplay channel. You should take steps to share and distribute it through various avenues. Embed them on your website and you should also share them on your social media profiles for maximum reach.

Since the 17^th century, casino games have excited and engaged in equal measure. Fast forward to the present day and it is clear to see that casino action is still an adrenaline-fuelled gaming genre. Although video games console developers have not yet been able to create out-and-out real-money casino games for their customers, they have been able to incorporate the casino theme into many of the leading video game titles.

Casinos are so accessible both online and offline today. It’s easy to sit down with a cup of tea and a laptop and fire up a game of online blackjack or roulette. In fact, it’s easier to do this than get into your car or hop on a train to your nearest brick-and-mortar casino. Although land-based casinos are often open 24/7, the ability to get your casino fix on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or even your games console could be the death knell for physical casino floors.

You only have to look at this review of Spin Palace to understand that iGaming customers are treated far better than most brick-and-mortar casinos, with welcome bonuses of up to $1,000 on offer for signing up and making real-money deposits. However, for those that like the vibe and atmosphere of a casino but don’t want to have to spend real money on playing casino games should check out the following Xbox One games that are influenced by the land-based casino scene.

Red Dead Redemption

Although Red Dead Redemption is not strictly a casino-focused game, there are strong casino elements within its gameplay. The AI are by no means stupid when it comes to playing high-stakes poker, so don’t think that you can simply bluff the computer with every hand. Where this video game differs from a civilised poker game experience is that you can control your character to physically intimidate your opponents into letting you win!

Pure Hold’em

This Texas Hold’em video game is available to play offline on Xbox One and online as part of the Xbox Live multiplayer. The action is split across six different poker tables, with the stakes – and skill – rising with every table. You’ll begin your quest for poker glory at the Jokers table on the ground floor of this contemporary virtual casino. Once you get the hang of your opponents, you’ll be able to work your way through the tables before reaching the exclusive VIP penthouse where the stakes are highest.

The Four Kings Casino & Slots

This game, also available on Xbox One, has become one of the most popular virtual casino games of this generation. It has been developed almost as a massively multiplayer online game, where players can create their own unique avatars and meet other players from around the world in networked casino games. It offers all of the social benefits of visiting land-based casinos, with the chance to play a wealth of table games with people from all four corners of the world.

Whether you’re playing for real money or that much-vaunted ego boost, the casino genre remains one of the most engaging themes among today’s video game developers. In the years to come, the advent of virtual reality could create virtual casino games where players don’t even need to leave their home to get the feeling of being inside a land-based casino.

For non-video gaming types, the concept of betting on eSports may seem a little strange at first. In fact, the idea that video gaming can be a competitive spectator sport still bemuses some, despite the fact top players have been competing against each other in organised events for some time.

But the reality is that eSports has grown from small groups of friends playing each other online in the small hours to a fully regulated global industry that is growing at a rapid rate.

As soon as gaming gained traction as a spectator sport, it was only a matter of time before the betting industry started to take notice. And over the last few years, more and more top bookmakers have started offering odds on top eSports events, while we’ve also seen some dedicated eSports betting sites popping up, too.

From underground to mainstream

With over 200 million players taking part in eSports every year and major tournaments such as the F1 New Balance eSports Series being broadcast live online and across top sports networks, eSports have already crossed the line into the mainstream. Enthusiasts who have their favourite games, tournaments and players can now wager on events in the same way they could with traditional sports.

This means that eSports betting opportunities can now be found alongside traditional sports betting markets at the top online bookmakers such as Paddy Power. While the number of markets offered is still limited, this is set to change as more high profile events are launched and the number of punters increases. There are various types of bets, too, with outrights only representing part of the market, accompanied by game-specific options such as number of kills and time completed.

More high profile events

In 2019, PS4 and Xbox One players will be able to register for the first ever ePremier League based on the FIFA 2019 game. The tournament gets underway in January with the finals in March to be broadcast live on Sky TV in the UK. It is expected that events like this will boost the profile of eSports to a new level and attract a whole new fan base.

Several professional sports teams including double FIFA eClub World Cup 2018 Champions, Brondby, already have eSports representatives competing at tournament level, and more are set to follow in 2019.

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As well as gamble on events, fans can also participate in Fantasy eSports games and create leagues, sign players and earn points based their players’ performances just as they would in traditional fantasy sports games.

With more and more betting companies getting involved, the revenue generated by eSports events is set to skyrocket. Gambling companies bring big bucks to the sporting world and the eSports scene will be no exception.

While demos of full games might not be as popular as they once were, the success of modern gaming has allowed for other opportunities even greater than those of the much loved shareware era. Today, there are many major game services which offer enormous freebees for their members, taking an extensive range of different shapes and forms.

Here we investigate some of the best of the past and present, to help you decide where you should look next in your quest for bonus potential.

Service Platforms

When we look at services as a platform for free games there are a few standouts, both on PC and Xbox online. In terms of PC perhaps the best established is that of Origin. Developed by Electronic Arts, this Steam competitor might not measure up to the dominance of Valve’s creation, but it is not without advantages of its own.

In the past, this has come in the form of full free games which have rotated in and out of availability. These included AAA games of both the old-school and modern ages, with the likes Theme Hospital and Mass Effect 2 standing out as our favorites.

“Subnautica” (CC BY 2.0) by mrwynd Also hoping to make a mark against Steam is Epic Games’ platform.

Still young in its lifespan, their launcher sprinted out of the gates, offering the amazing survival game Subnautica for free, with hopefully more available in the future.

On the console front, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Games with Gold section of Xbox Live. Offering a wide selection of 360 and original Xbox games, Games with Gold has dropped such classics as Dead Space, Bayonetta, and Dark Souls in their constantly changing lineup.

“Let’s Finish: Dark Souls – Episode 1 Cov” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by peacefulrespite

It should also be noted that while free bonuses are often found within these console and PC games, there are other services such as Casumo which accomplish similar bonuses with very different platforms. 

These online casinos obviously don’t offer games for the same pricing structure as traditional video games, so instead their bonuses come in the form of free spins and matches on deposits. Sort of like the additional credit Xbox subscribers can get with larger deposits then, only supercharged.

Getting Physical

On the other side of the equation, we have bonuses of platforms and services which are tied to actual physical goods. While this is still in its infancy, the stage has so far been set with Steam and its in-home game-streaming device, the Steam-Link

Offering the ability to effectively play anything on your computer from anywhere else in your house, this is a device which offers an ability many of us have desired for years. Giving Steam members the ability to purchase this for just $2.50 was one of the biggest bargains we have ever seen, and we hope it sets a precedent for future physical good tie-ins.

Gaining (not just) Steam

A big part of the development when it comes to these bonuses is the threat of competition. While the market has been healthy in this regard on consoles for some time, on PC the situation has hardly been as diverse. With Steam only now facing down real competition, we can only hope that more free games, and a wider variety thereof, will become increasingly common in the future.

And hey, if not, we still have Xbox.

The idea of Twitch for many on the internet seemed a little silly at first. Watching other people play games – why bother? At least that is the way the thought often goes at first. With further consideration, though, the actual relevance became much clearer.

Check out people playing games to see if you would enjoy them, revisit games of your youth without the need to track down old or out-dated equipment, or just hang out and watch a similarly minded individual joke and struggle against a challenge, and this was just the start. The appeal of Twitch was quickly established, moving it from a curiosity back when it launched in June of 2011 to the international force with an Alexa rank of 31 where it sits today.

Not just for watching standard gameplay, Twitch also led surprising developments in other hobbies. Among these include speed running, CPU-vs-CPU battles, and, the focus of this article, the rise of live stream poker.

So what is it is specifically about Twitch when helped bring live stream poker to the mainstream, how do the biggest names manage their presence, and how have a few leveraged this gameplay into a career in and of itself?

Entertainment or Learning Tool?

Just as with the traditional topic of videogames, there have been questions as to which avenue was the strongest determining factor in bringing poker to the mainstream. Do people tune in just to be entertained, or is this a means utilised by up and coming players to pick up helpful tips and tricks?

Just as with regular video games the answers can be both, and at the same time. This really comes down to what the viewer wants, but as poker streaming involves a lot of out-loud thinking, it’s only natural that the thought processes of these professional players will end up making an impression on viewers.

Since Twitch offers two-way communication, this is a two-way street. The audience can ask the player to detail the exact reasons for a decision and likewise can point out any questionable moves or those with a statistical shortcoming.

Entertaining for the audience, yes, but also informative and helpful for those on both sides of the screen.

How do the Most Popular Poker Players do it?

Getting started streaming in online poker had the same barriers to entry as traditional video gaming – very few. Get the right software, which is often free, sign up for an account, and you are ready to go. As for why Twitch’s biggest names in poker streaming got into the game, the reasons here don’t simply follow one course of inspiration.

Jaime Staples was one of the first in the game on this front. Starting in 2015, when he joined PokerStars as a member of Team Online, Staples worked to not only further his career as a player but to build himself as a brand. As it turns out, live poker, a so far untapped market on the internet, would be the perfect fit for creating and maintaining a constant public persona.

As one of the earliest in the online Twitch arena, Staples noted that his first experiences were not exactly enormous successes, bringing in a peak viewership of around 25 people. Through Twitch and its audience, Staples found a productive outlet in which to openly discuss his game as he played, both relaying his method to others, and helping learn from his audience and himself in the process.

As this grew interest in both sides of the game, others like Parker Talbot and Jason Somerville would also enter the fray. These two men, now well known as major success stories in the world of online poker, bringing in $3m and $2.2m respectively in their careers, both came into the game for a similar reason. This was, in their words, to help reinvigorate their game.

Online poker, like many other popular variants such as hold’em, and Omaha, can be games of patterns. While falling into these patterns can help lay a line down for success, they can also stagnate your game and limit flexibility, and through online interaction, these men managed to overcome these issues.

Live streaming poker in the modern era brings in tens of thousands of viewers a day, and in no short part, this is due to the work and early success of players like Staples, Talbot, and Somerville.

What About a Poker Career?

Earning enough to carry a career in poker streaming might seem a little different than other avenues, but most of the technical earning possibilities are the same. Sure, gambling is unique in that players can earn money directly from playing well, but this is hardly the only way revenue is generated.

Just as with playing other video games, poker players have the same other three primary potential income sources – advertisements, subscriptions, and sponsorships. The first two of these tend to be on the smaller end of the equation, as only online streamers with hundreds of thousands of active viewers will be able to earn enough to support themselves from these methods.

Instead, it is sponsorship which tends to be the biggest contributor to bankroll and personal finance. As the sponsored players tend to garner the most attention, this creates a feedback loop, where the more attention they have the more the industry grows, leading to the level we see today.

How can the Poker Streaming Industry Grow?

Digital entertainment has been making significant strides in the last few decades. Going from curiosity to larger than even the film box office, the growth of this entertainment avenue is still developing alongside the commensurate increase in digital device ubiquity.

The path forward for poker streaming, of all types, is now in a healthier position than ever before and is still far from reaching its peak. As for how large this industry could eventually grow, and how many players can continue to make a living from this business is yet to be seen, but if past trends are any indication, we still have considerable potential left yet.

The Xbox Game Pass was launched in June 2017, presenting gamers with a subscription service that inevitably invited comparisons to Netflix. After more than a year in existence, the subscription service has been refined and expanded to give gamers access to a huge selection of games. With Microsoft now rolling out an offer in which gamers can purchase a year’s subscription for the price of six months, the Xbox Game Pass may begin to corner the market in the manner that Netflix did for film and television streaming.
One notable area in which the Xbox Game Pass differs from Netflix is that subscription grants immediate access to some of the platform’s biggest titles, whereas Netflix subscribers often have to wait several months to access the biggest blockbusters. Also, the Game Pass does not operate as a streaming service, but rather permits players to download the game once and then not have to worry about intermittent internet connections.

The subscription nature of the Xbox Game Pass encourages casual gamers to try out accessing the library of almost 200 games for a month, with the notion that the service will prove sufficiently worthwhile to warrant repeated custom. The chance to purchase a year’s access for £47.99 from Amazon will prompt many gamers to take the plunge and sign up for twelve months rather than simply trialling for one month.

Many products attempt to attract new customers by offering a service for free or for a reduced cost. Almost all games offer some sort of demo version to allow new players to try before they buy. The Football Manager computer game demo permits players to play six months in-game for free before requiring a full purchase, which is also advantageous as a test to see if a laptop can handle the game’s specifications.

Other games allow access without requiring the creation of an account or the deposit of funds. Many online games necessitate players completing both of those tasks, but some of these eschew those formalities in order to allow players to access the action as quickly as possible. This trend of giving free but limited access extends into other industries.
The music streaming giant Spotify permits free access to all users, yet only a subscription can remove the regular advertisements. Meanwhile, The New Yorker allows non-paying users to access just ten articles per month. Through providing limited access to a quality service, these companies can encourage customers to sign up to longer-term subscriptions.

The allure of uninhibited access for a loved service is difficult to resist, with the year’s subscription offer for the Xbox Game Pass likely to tempt many new customers. When considering how huge new titles are constantly being added to the game library, the Game Pass subscription certainly appears to be value for money