Xbox One News: Playable Games In Browser And Possible ‘Gears of War’ Exclusivity Reported

Visitors Play Video Games On Xbox At The Microsoft Exhibition Stand During The Gamescom 2014 Fair In Cologne — Visitors play video games on Xbox at the Microsoft exhibition stand during the Gamescom 2014 fair in Cologne August 13, 2014. The Gamescom convention, Europe's largest video games trade fair, runs from August 13 to August 17. Reuters/Ina Fassbender

Xbox One and Xbox 360 games may be coming to your browser as Microsoft has been rumored to be testing playable games that have lessened the lag time for streaming. Both the PS4 and Xbox One have already touched on their plans for cloud gaming technology, and even though Microsoft has not yet shown off a more concrete system compared to the PlayStation Now, this may its response to those very criticisms.

Neowin reports that Microsoft's new project may involve testing next-gen and last-gen console games that's complete with all the high-quality and resolution features. And given that Microsoft is not limited to its console gaming technology, the source also mentions that it may integrate Microsoft's Azure platform to those of the Xbox One and Xbox 360 when dealing with this possible cloud gaming service.

As far as any official announcements or reveals go, it seems that Microsoft's latest endeavor is already half-way into the process. It's already far along than a conceptual testing stage, but still not far enough for any public announcements to be made as of yet.

Neowin also does pose some challenges that Microsoft would have to overcome, including the processing power to encompass any browser a well as the barriers of licensing of games and how it will be affected when they are offered via cloud streaming service. Note that this has also been one of the criticisms for the PlayStation Now after the prices for its rental fees were first revealed to be on the exorbitant side.

'Gears of War' And Its Possible Exclusivity With Microsoft

The Microsoft studio Black Tusk has already been reported to be working on the next "Gears of War" installment. More than this, however, exclusivity for the franchise has come up time and again, and it seems that Rod Fergusson, the guy whose name has been hinged to the franchise since then, clarifies his role in the creation of the title.

OXM reports that Fergusson is also not a veteran in terms of walking with Microsoft, given that he has worked with them for 10 years. But one advantage that Fergusson can name when it comes to the franchise and working with the new studio is that they may be able to expand the reach of the production.

Fergusson shares that, before when he was working at Epic Games on the "Gears of War" franchise, the team would only be comprised of a small group. This time, Black Tusk is looking at more abundant resources, which not only expands the resources for the creators but also for the opportunities and options for the title.

As far as sequels go, however, Fergusson seems to have a pretty good idea of where he wants to take the "Gears of War" sequel. According to him, one needs to give fans a taste of both new and old so you could give them a "new enough" flavor to the franchise.

"It's how we can innovate and bring something new to the franchise while at the same time really proving that we understand 'Gears'--that this is the franchise that you know and love," Fergusson said to OXM.