Report: Xbox Live coming to iOS and Android games

It looks like Microsoft is preparing a major Xbox Live cross-platform push that will bring the company's robust social gaming network to iOS and Android games. Basically, according to a report from The Verge, Microsoft wants to bring Xbox Live to all popular systems, extending the platform beyond Xbox consoles, Windows phones, and computers to iPhones and Android devices.

The plans were first hinted at by a Microsoft job listing that read: "We will create a modern framework that is open-source, lightweight, extensible, and scalable across various platforms including Windows Store, Windows Phone, iOS, and Android." The job posting has since been removed.

The Verge notes that the plans are an attempt on Microsoft's behalf to "win back" game developers by making the Xbox Live network easier to integrate into their games. Right now, Xbox Live developers must receive certification and permission from Microsoft, but the company is reportedly interested in dropping some of these restrictions and offering better tools to creators to add Xbox Live functionality to their games.

Of course, Google already operates Google Play Games and Apple has Game Center. But Microsoft is said to be positioning Xbox Live for mobiles as an alternative that players can use to earn achievements, sync up with friends, or even maybe take part in cross-platform play.