<p>Amazon launched an assault on Fortnite and other eSports giants Wednesday with team shooter "Crucible," aiming to expand its territory in the world of game playing.</p>.<p>Release of the free online title by Amazon Game Studios comes as people staying home to avoid the deadly coronavirus turn to video games for entertinament and social contact.</p>.<p>"Crucible" will challenge the dominance of "Fortnite," "Overwatch" and "League of Legends," which have won legions of fans, with online match-ups pitting characters with various abilities or weaponry against one another.</p>.<p>It is tailored for play on Windows-powered personal computers, playing to the strength of Amazon-owned Twitch, a popular platform for streaming games and commentary.</p>.<p>The "Steam" gaming website promised the title would be available midday (2000 GMT) Wednesday in California.</p>.<p>It is the first major title from Amazon Game Studios, which is also working on a multiplayer online game based on the "Lord of the Rings."</p>.<p>The developers call "Crucible" a "team-based action shooter driven by the choices you make," featuring alien adversaries.</p>.<p>The launch comes as other tech giants make their own game moves.</p>.<p>Google recently launched its streaming game service Stadia, and Apple Arcade offers titles for iOS-powered devices.</p>.<p>Facebook last month launched a stand-alone app allowing users to create and watch livestreams of games.</p>.<p>And Microsoft recently offered a glimpse at games for its new Xbox console, coming this year, which it hopes will help it compete with Sony's leading PlayStation devices.</p>.<p>Microsoft has not yet announced a release date.</p>.<p>Sony is also to release its PlayStation 5 model later this year. PlayStation 4 consoles have trounced Xbox One in sales since the rival gaming systems launched in late 2013.</p>.<p>Amazon Game Studios two years ago pulled the plug on development of "Breakaway," which was to be its first new title in the hot e-sport arena of video game play as spectator sport.</p>.<p>US online retail giant Amazon snatched up Twitch and its huge audience for live-streamed gaming in 2014 for nearly $1 billion.</p>
<p>Amazon launched an assault on Fortnite and other eSports giants Wednesday with team shooter "Crucible," aiming to expand its territory in the world of game playing.</p>.<p>Release of the free online title by Amazon Game Studios comes as people staying home to avoid the deadly coronavirus turn to video games for entertinament and social contact.</p>.<p>"Crucible" will challenge the dominance of "Fortnite," "Overwatch" and "League of Legends," which have won legions of fans, with online match-ups pitting characters with various abilities or weaponry against one another.</p>.<p>It is tailored for play on Windows-powered personal computers, playing to the strength of Amazon-owned Twitch, a popular platform for streaming games and commentary.</p>.<p>The "Steam" gaming website promised the title would be available midday (2000 GMT) Wednesday in California.</p>.<p>It is the first major title from Amazon Game Studios, which is also working on a multiplayer online game based on the "Lord of the Rings."</p>.<p>The developers call "Crucible" a "team-based action shooter driven by the choices you make," featuring alien adversaries.</p>.<p>The launch comes as other tech giants make their own game moves.</p>.<p>Google recently launched its streaming game service Stadia, and Apple Arcade offers titles for iOS-powered devices.</p>.<p>Facebook last month launched a stand-alone app allowing users to create and watch livestreams of games.</p>.<p>And Microsoft recently offered a glimpse at games for its new Xbox console, coming this year, which it hopes will help it compete with Sony's leading PlayStation devices.</p>.<p>Microsoft has not yet announced a release date.</p>.<p>Sony is also to release its PlayStation 5 model later this year. PlayStation 4 consoles have trounced Xbox One in sales since the rival gaming systems launched in late 2013.</p>.<p>Amazon Game Studios two years ago pulled the plug on development of "Breakaway," which was to be its first new title in the hot e-sport arena of video game play as spectator sport.</p>.<p>US online retail giant Amazon snatched up Twitch and its huge audience for live-streamed gaming in 2014 for nearly $1 billion.</p>