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Microsoft Unveils Upcoming Plans for Video Gamers

The Xbox logo is seen while gamers wait for the Microsoft Xbox E3 2017 media briefing in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2017. (Reuters)
The Xbox logo is seen while gamers wait for the Microsoft Xbox E3 2017 media briefing in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2017. (Reuters)
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Microsoft Unveils Upcoming Plans for Video Gamers

The Xbox logo is seen while gamers wait for the Microsoft Xbox E3 2017 media briefing in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2017. (Reuters)
The Xbox logo is seen while gamers wait for the Microsoft Xbox E3 2017 media briefing in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2017. (Reuters)

In a virtual event attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Microsoft unveiled its upcoming plans in the videogaming field. The new updates will enable users to play the latest Xbox games on their TV, using a mobile app and a controller.

The company is working on improving its browser experience by focusing on a player-friendly content, as well as upgrading the Windows 11 system to provide advanced features, and a large collection of titles scheduled to launch in July.

Microsoft also announced it plans to launch an Xbox app, compatible with smart TVs in 2022, in partnership with Samsung. The new app will allow users to play the latest games through a cloud service that streams the content directly on their screens.

As of June 30, the service will give users the opportunity to play hundreds of titles, using a controller that connects wirelessly to the TV and a monthly subscription.

These games can also be played via a smartphone app available for Android and iOS, or on PCs.

Microsoft also launched the Moorcroft Project, which allows players to try a demo of the new games before their official launch, notably those developed by independent developers or small start-ups from around the world.

The new version of the Edge browser will display a special gaming content every time the user opens a new tab. Edge users will receive the latest gaming news, recommendations to overcome hard rounds in their favorite game, livestreaming of other gamers’ competitions, virtual competitions, new games, and suggestions of related content.

The company plans to equip its browser with another feature that allows users to enhance the resolution of cloud gaming, and supporting it with a collection of free, popular games.

Speaking about Windows 11, Microsoft revealed it is planning updates targeting players. Game performance will be optimized for windowed games, and other exciting gaming features will be unlocked, including Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for a better gaming experience on any screen.

The company announced Sunday that it plans to launch over 50 new titles in the coming months in many categories, including racing, RPGs, combat, space exploration, sci-fi, horror, martial arts and others.

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Meta Becomes the Latest Big Tech Company Turning to Nuclear Power for AI Needs

The Meta logo marks the entrance of their corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (AFP)
The Meta logo marks the entrance of their corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (AFP)
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Meta Becomes the Latest Big Tech Company Turning to Nuclear Power for AI Needs

The Meta logo marks the entrance of their corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (AFP)
The Meta logo marks the entrance of their corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (AFP)

Meta has cut a 20-year deal to secure nuclear power to help meet surging demand for artificial intelligence and other computing needs at Facebook’s parent company.

The investment with Meta will also expand the output of a Constellation Energy Illinois nuclear plant.

The agreement announced Tuesday is just the latest in a string of tech-nuclear partnerships as the use of AI expands. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Center was actually slated to close in 2017 after years of financial losses but was saved by legislation in Illinois establishing a zero-emission credit program to support the plant into 2027. The agreement deal takes effect in June of 2027, when the state's taxpayer funded zero-emission credit program expires.

With the arrival of Meta, Clinton’s clean energy output will expand by 30 megawatts, preserve 1,100 local jobs and bring in $13.5 million in annual tax revenue, according to the companies.

“Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions,” said Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy.

Surging investments in small nuclear reactors comes at a time when large tech companies are facing two major demands: a need to increase their energy supply for AI and data centers, among other needs, while also trying to meet their long-term goals to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Those emissions are generated, in large part, from the burning of fossil fuels like gasoline, oil and coal. Nuclear energy, while producing waste, does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.

Constellation, the owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, said in September that it planned to restart the reactor so tech giant Microsoft could secure power to supply its data centers. Three Mile Island, located on the Susquehanna River just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the site of the nation’s worst commercial nuclear power accident in 1979.

Also last fall, Amazon said it was investing in small nuclear reactors, two days after a similar announcement by Google. Additionally, Google announced last month that it was investing in three advanced nuclear energy projects with Elementl Power.

US states have been positioning themselves to meet the tech industry’s power needs as policymakers consider expanding subsidies and gutting regulatory obstacles.

Last year, 25 states passed legislation to support advanced nuclear energy, and lawmakers this year have introduced over 200 bills supportive of nuclear energy, according to the trade association Nuclear Energy Institute.

Advanced reactor designs from competing firms are filling up the federal government’s regulatory pipeline as the industry touts them as a reliable, climate-friendly way to meet electricity demands from tech giants desperate to power their fast-growing artificial intelligence platforms.

Amazon, Google and Microsoft also have been investing in solar and wind technologies, which make electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Shares of Constellation Energy Corp., based in Baltimore, were flat Tuesday.