Microsoft has unveiled new set of tools for developers to use in Xbox Live at Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this week.
The new set of tools will be under the new initiative called Xbox Live Tournaments Program. According to Jason Ronald, head of the Xbox Advanced Technology Group, it will ease the integration of tournaments that will be powered by Xbox Live. He added that developers can customize it based on the type of game or tournament.
A developer can set-up a tournament inside their game that will have hooks into the Xbox Live multiplayer network. The players then will be able to see upcoming events, allow them to sign up, and lunch games into the tournaments from the home menu. Microsoft said that this new tournament system is in line with their past efforts to offer companies and individuals as well the tools that will help engaging in e-sports based on their preference.
The customizable tool will include Xbox One Elite Controller for pro-gaming. The developers will experience simpler method in making and launching organized e-sports competition on Xbox. It will require implementation of one software development kit (SDK) from Microsoft, supporting multiple third-party operators, according to Venture Beat. It will be supported on both Xbox One and Windows 10, utilizing the Universal Windows Platform that provides a cohesive experience across devices.
The additional new program appears to be an expansion of Microsoft's "Halo" championship tournament in 2015. Developers will be able to create from small and community-driven events to even larger and professional competitions.
There is preview version of the "Xbox Live Tournaments Program" software development kit which is available to game developers. The tech giant added that it expects to see the first supported titles launching later in 2016.
Microsoft will team up with gaming companies like Electronic Sports League (ESL) and FaceIt for the new Xbox Live Tournaments Program, The Verge reported. The new partnership will highlight the innovative step for the ever growing e-sports activity. It will happen by letting developers and publishers to achieve an easy and automated access to the live tournaments, able to systemize the logistics and handling various e-sports events. ESL’s internal technology team will even work with game developers in achieving their titles ready upon the tournament integration.
E-sports have been a trend and it will stay and Microsoft wants to take advantage of it. Other companies which have e-sports divisions include Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts. On the other hand, ESPN and Yahoo! have their own eSports platforms as well.