Skip to main content

MS working on phone-to-console gaming

Windows Phone 7 will have it after launch.

Dark blue icons of video game controllers on a light blue background
Image credit: Eurogamer

Microsoft hopes to deliver real-time multiplayer gameplay between Windows Phone 7 devices and Xbox 360 over wi-fi.

Confirmation comes from a recent event in Canada covered by rgbFilter (via Joystiq).

At launch, Windows Phone 7 will only support turn-based multiplayer between phones, or phones and PCs. Its Xbox Live integration will also allow achievements and other rewards to be unlocked in 360 games by playing mini-games on the phone.

But mobility solutions manager Greg Milligan revealed that real-time synchronous multiplayer was being worked on.

"So initially, we're turn by turn-based," Milligan said. "We are working on real-time phone-to-console, likely initially through Wi-Fi - again, operator networks are sensitive to that.

"That's not on day one; day one will be turn-by-turn as well as companion-type gaming where you play a level on the phone and it may unlock a level or a weapon or some special achievement on the console game.

"But, yeah - absolutely working on phone-to-console real-time. That is something we're working on and expect to have in the near future."

The Windows Phone 7 operating system is planned for release towards the end of this year.

Read this next