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South Korea - SKT and Microsoft join hands with 5G cloud game business

CyberPanda

Banned
Microsoft unveils cloud game carrier partner for the first time / Exclusive operationof SKT Korea business / 'Project xCloud' pilot service from October

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SK Telecom, which has surpassed 1 million subscribers of 5G mobile communication forthe first time in the world, announced on the 4th that it will cooperate with Microsoft(MS) to develop 5G-based cloud game joint business.

Cloud gaming is a technology that allows you to play a variety of games anytime andanywhere without having to download or install games on your device.

Because the game runs on the server itself, it has only 5G network with high speed andlow delay even on low-end devices, and it is called 'the future of game' because it canenjoy high quality games.

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SK Telecom's MV Business Unit (left) and Microsoft Phil Spencer's Vice President of Games (EVP) met at the world's largest game fair 'E3 2019' in June. SKT

Microsoft's first cloud game carrier partner

SK Telecom unveiled plans for cooperation between the two companies at itsheadquarters in Eulji, Seoul on the 4th, and will launch Microsoft's cloud gametechnology 'Project x Cloud', which will be launched in Korea in October. Showed off.

SK Telecom will act as the exclusive business operation partner of 'X Cloud' in Korea.

The event was attended by Microsoft Kareem Choudhry, VP of Cloud Games (CVP).

'X Cloud' is a technology that enables users to enjoy high-definition and large-scalegames of Microsoft's console (home game console) 'Xbox' without downloading orinstalling on a smartphone.

The Xbox games are originally intended for consoles that are designed to operate withboth controllers in their hands, so they are expected to provide a mobile-optimized playexperience.

Microsoft announced in June that it will launch the 'X Cloud' pilot service in October inLos Angeles, USA, where the world's largest game fair 'E3 2019' was held. Made public.

In March, SK Telecom President Park Jung-ho and Microsoft Satya Nadella met andsigned a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen comprehensivecooperation in advanced ICT fields such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud. It isdue to the conclusion.

Memorandum of Understanding to promote 5G-based cloud game joint project with SKTelecom's MV Business Director and Microsoft Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President ofGame (EVP), in Los Angeles, where E3 2019 was held in June. 'Signed.

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◆ 'Excloud' pilot service from October

The two companies announced that they plan to provide 'X-Cloud' pilot service to SKTelecom's 5G / LTE Customer Experience Team from October and gradually expand thetarget to other Telecommunications customers. Initially, you will be able to connect yoursmartphone to the wireless controller and play games.

Usage is simple. After installing the 'X Cloud' app on your smartphone, you can choosethe game you want from among the games that appear when you run the app. The twocompanies plan to introduce some of the most popular games released through 'Xbox'that can be enjoyed on mobile.

The two companies announced that they will explore various products and servicessuitable for the cloud game market over the 'X Cloud' pilot service period and lead thecloud game ecosystem together through continuous cooperation.

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SKT 5G competitiveness and MS Azure data center expected to maximize synergy

Microsoft chose Korea as its 'XCloud' pilot service country, citing 'a good mobilenetwork infrastructure, a state-of-the-art 5G network, and a strong gaming community.'

In Korea, the game market is the fourth largest in the world and the popularity of mobilegames is considered to be the best test bed for 'X Cloud'.

According to the 2018 Korean Game White Paper published by the Korea CreativeContent Agency, the domestic game market is 13,142.3 billion won (4th in the world), and the mobile game market share is half of 47.3%.

Microsoft selected SK Telecom's ▲ excellent and stable 5G-LTE network ▲ the largestmobile subscribers in Korea, including more than 1 million 5G subscribers ▲ thecompany's original technology in the field of advanced ICT and successful operation ofvarious streaming services Said.

The two companies expect SK Telecom's 5G competitiveness and the domestic regionof Microsoft's cloud platform 'Azure' will create optimal synergy for 'XCloud'.

Microsoft uses 54 Azure regions around the world, including the domestic region, toprovide high-quality gaming services to mobile devices.

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◆ 'Game Changer' to change the market

Cloud games are drawing attention as a 'game changer' that will radically change thegame market in developed countries, where console games have been strong, as wellas the domestic game market, which is popular for mobile and online games.

Global market research firm IHS Markit said in a report released in late April that the sizeof the cloud game market will more than double from $ 39.7 million last year to $ 2.5 billion in 2023. Prospect.

"The collaboration between Microsoft, the global leader in cloud and gaming, and SKTelecom, which has surpassed 1 million 5G subscribers for the first time among globalcarriers, will create new values like never before." We will provide a mobile gamingexperience. ”

Microsoft's game streaming is about 40 years of gaming experience and investmentsfrom Azure, Microsoft Research, and many other business groups within Microsoft. It isa combination of resources and will appeal to gamers around the world. ”“ We believethat SK Telecom's partnership with Korean gamers and game developers will be anopportunity to take the game industry to the next level. ”

By Hyun Hwa-young, staff reporter hhy@segye.com Photo = SKT

This is pretty big news. 5G is getting a lot of traction in South Korea.

Used google translate, but the actual article is here:

 
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