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Amazon reportedly working on cloud gaming platform code-named Project Tempo

The online retailer also plans to release two big-budget games in May.

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Ry Crist Senior Editor / Reviews - Labs
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
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Between Fire TV and Prime Video, Amazon is already well-acquainted with home entertainment. Now, the company  appears to be setting its sights on gaming . Amazon has two video games, a big budget sci-fi shooter called Crucible and a massively multiplayer game called New World, set to launch in May, according to a report Thursday from The New York Times. Amazon is also reportedly working to launch its long-rumored cloud gaming service code-named Project Tempo.

The games are part of an huge investment into cloud-based gaming worth hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the Times. When it comes to cloud-based gaming, Amazon will have to compete with Microsoft and Google. Both companies already have their feet firmly planted in the space -- Microsoft with Project xCloud and Google with Stadia.

Crucible reportedly is a team-based arena battler focused on competitive online play and streamability on Twitch, the gaming-centered streaming platform purchased by Amazon in 2014. In New World, players will co-inhabit a fantasy-themed version of the 17th century. 

As for Project Tempo, Amazon reportedly hoped to launch an early version of the platform sometime this year, but may have to delay its official start date until 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Many details around Amazon's plans for the service remain unclear, but it'll be interesting to see how the company pitches itself against competing cloud-based platforms, and against full-fledged gaming consoles, too.

Amazon didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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