As the cloud becomes an increasingly larger part of Microsoft's overall business, the company is looking to bring its gaming partners on board as well. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft's Xbox division has set up a new unit that is entirely focused on convincing its gaming partners to use Azure as the backbone for their games' services.
Called gaming cloud, the new unit is headed up by Kareem Choudhry, who has been with Microsoft for 20 years. According to Bloomberg, Choudhry and his team will focus on assisting developers with leveraging Azure and "creating new services for the industry."
The move aligns with Microsoft's recent focus on its cloud services, which have become a major part company's business due to rapid growth over the past several quarters. Microsoft is also increasingly viewing gaming as a critical part of its business, going so far as to promote Xbox chief Phil Spencer to its leadership team late last year. The company also acquired PlayFab, a company that provides backend services for cloud-connected games, earlier this year.
It makes sense that the company would look for ways to marry two of its major areas of focus, particularly as games become more and more dependent on the cloud as a backbone for delivering online gaming experiences and other services. Looking toward the future, Microsoft could also be setting itself up to be a major player with game streaming.
Azure is already used by games like Rainbow Six: Siege and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. With a team dedicated to selling Azure to developers and publishers, Microsoft is hoping to expand that list.
These are the best 27-inch monitors money can buy
A 27-inch monitor is just about the perfect size without having to sit too far away or whip your head back and forth to follow things across the screen. If you’re in the market for a new monitor, check out our top picks.
Add or upgrade the RAM in your MSI GE66 Raider with this guide
Have an MSI GE66 Raider without enough memory for your needs? Our guide walks you through what's needed to upgrade the RAM in your laptop.
The Razer Tomahawk is small in stature, but mighty in power
Razer has a new gaming PC on the scene, and this time it's a compact desktop. The Razer Tomahawk Gaming Desktop uses a variation of the Tomahawk case to bring a modular, powerful PC that's designed to take up very little of your desk space.
Zac Bowden's personal Cyber Monday deal recommendations
Looking for good deals on Microsoft Surface and Xbox products this Cyber Monday? We've got you covered. This is our collection of some of the best deals you can find today!