Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud

    Microsoft Acquires Cloud-Based Gaming Startup PlayFab

    Written by

    Pedro Hernandez
    Published January 30, 2018
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Add PlayFab to Microsoft’s growing list of cloud-related buys.

      The Redmond, Wash., technology giant announced on Jan. 29 that it had acquired PlayFab, a startup from neighboring Seattle whose tools enable developers to build, launch and manage PC, console and mobile games with cloud-enabled components and multiplayer elements. Financial terms were not disclosed.

      PlayFab offers a variety of game management and analytics services, including player authentication, leaderboards, virtual currency tracking, player engagement, commerce and more. The platform is used on more than 1,200 games and reaches 700 million gamers, according to the company.

      Each day, the platform processes more than 1.5 billion transactions. Customers include Capcom, Disney and Bandai Namco.

      Adding PlayFab to Microsoft’s growing catalog of cloud-based software development tools aligns with the company’s long-standing goal of making Azure a go-to destination for coders.

      “PlayFab’s backend services reduce the barriers to launch for game developers, offering both large and small studios cost-effective development solutions that scale with their games and help them engage, retain and monetize players,” wrote Kareem Choudhry, corporate vice president of Gaming at Microsoft, in a blog post. “PlayFab enables developers to use the intelligent cloud to build and operate games, analyze gaming data and improve overall gaming experiences.”

      In a separate blog, James Gwertzman, CEO and co-founder of PlayFab, said the transaction will help his company’s platform spread across the markets served by Microsoft’s globe-spanning cloud.

      “Microsoft, with its deep expertise in gaming and cloud computing, is a perfect home for PlayFab as we expand our platform and features,” stated Gwertzman. “Our customers are worldwide, and Microsoft’s global presence and world-class Microsoft Azure server infrastructure complement PlayFab’s services, making it even easier for studios to focus on building great games instead of back end technology.”

      PlayFab isn’t Microsoft’s first cloud-inspired acquisition of 2018.

      On Jan. 3, the software maker announced it was in the process of snapping up Avere Systems, a cloud HPC (high-performance computing) data storage company, for an undisclosed amount. The Pittsburgh-based firm specializes in SMB (Server Message Block) and NFS (Network File System) storage for cloud, data center and HPC workloads on both Linux and Windows systems.

      Last year also saw a number of buys aimed at strengthening Microsoft’s cloud portfolio.

      In January 2017, Microsoft acquired Simplygon, a Swedish provider of software that enables game and virtual reality developers to squeeze complex 3D models down to size, allowing their creations to render well on PCs, smartphones and other devices with relatively modest graphics capabilities. The company’s automated 3D data-optimization technology would go on to form the basis of Simplygon Cloud, which Microsoft launched in December 2017.

      Cycle Computing became part of the Microsoft’s corporate family in August 2017. The cloud orchestration software provider for HPC workloads, and charter member of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, delivers software that enables organizations to harness the resources of massive cloud providers for their compute-intensive applications, rather than invest in expensive supercomputers or clusters.

      Pedro Hernandez
      Pedro Hernandez
      Pedro Hernandez is a writer for eWEEK and the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Previously, he served as a managing editor for the Internet.com network of IT-related websites and as the Green IT curator for GigaOM Pro.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.