Microsoft inks 10-year deal to bring PC titles to cloud streaming platform Boosteroid

gamedeveloper.com:

Microsoft has signed a 10-year partnership with cloud gaming platform Boosteroid, and was quick to mention how the deal will help it bring Activision Blizzard's PC titles to customers should its proposed $68.7 billion merger gain approval.

Boosteroid is billed as the largest global independent cloud gaming provider, with the platform granting one-click access to PC titles across a range of devices including smartphones and laptops.

The platform, which is run by a software team based in Ukraine, recently passed 4 million users globally. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said Microsoft has partnered with Boosteroid so it can "give everyone more ways to play their favourite games, across devices."

"Bringing Xbox PC games to Boosteroid members, including Activision Blizzard titles such as Call of Duty once the deal closes, is yet another step in realizing that vision," continued Spencer in a press release.

Microsoft has been incredibly vocal about how a recent string of partnerships–which includes a 10-year deal with Nintendo and a new partnership with Nvidia–will allow it to bring Call of Duty to a huge number of players should it succeed in acquiring Activision Blizzard.

The deal is currently being scrutinized by regulators in key regions such as the UK, EU, and USA over fears it could enable Microsoft to make major franchises, such as Call of Duty, platform exclusive to overtake and potentially foreclose its rivals.

Microsoft has attempted to allay those fears by laying out plans to bring Activision Blizzard properties to other platforms, and has started to put concrete agreements in place in what appears to be a concentrated effort to appease regulators. 

For Boosteroid, the partnership is meaningful for other reasons. The company