(IANS) With its foray into cloud-based gaming, Microsoft is battling rivals, especially Sony, when it comes to console warfare.

Microsoft is set to launch its highly anticipated game streaming service called xCloud on September 15 for Android users in 22 countries.

Sony PlayStation5 (PS5) is slated for release this holiday season. So far, Sony has unveiled a logo for the console, the PS5 gamepad, and a tech demo showing off the console’s graphics capabilities.

According to Loup Ventures, a US-based research-driven venture capital firm, Microsoft is determined to build on its already massive gaming platform in the face of growing competition from Google and Amazon.

“For the upcoming launch, Microsoft may leverage its cloud business to subsidize the cost of hardware for gamers, which Sony is unable to do,” the company said in its latest research note.

Microsoft will be launching all Xbox Game Studios titles in Xbox Game Pass, which is a significant initiative.

The inclusion of all Xbox Game Studios titles in its Game Pass program is a strong incentive for users to subscribe. Popular titles such as Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport will be available on a subscription basis.

All new games released over the next few years will be available on both Xbox One and the upcoming X Series.

“While no price point has yet been announced for the X Series, we expect the console to be priced in favor of gamers. The company can wait as long as possible before sharing a price because it will want to match or reduce the price of Sony’s PlayStation 5, ”the research note said.

With the latest generation of consoles, Microsoft has struggled with consumers due to its higher price tag of $ 100.

During the last console launch (Xbox One), users were tricked into believing that their consoles had to be connected to the Internet to work, they were forced to purchase a Kinect sensor with their console, and the platform’s exclusives. -form were at the center of concerns.

“Today, the emphasis is where it should be, on the player.”

XCloud games will be bundled as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for $ 14.99 per month, with over 100 games available on Android tablets and phones.

Once the service is available, it will be possible to use existing Xbox One controllers, and PlayStation’s DualShock 4 is also supported, according to Microsoft.

By newsnit