Xbox Play Anywhere coming to Windows 10 this September

[HEXUS]

Microsoft's "buy once, play anywhere" initiative confirmed for kick off on September 13.

Read more.

[Tabbykatze]

If they do this right and keep burning the midnight oil on making the UWP infrastructure better, this could be the start of gaming uniformity across platforms. Great news!

*tin foil* However it does beg the question on this could cause consoles to really drag down the PC unless the consoles stay either current generation and regularly get close to bleeding edge. If they get to trailing edge then the games capabilities could be hampered.

[Matty013]

what about making sure titles works properly on PC ?? i think thats not important right microsoft ? no matter what you do people won't be buying your pathetic games that runs like dog#### on your poor windows store.

[jimbouk]

This does just seem to pave the way for fewer 'proper' PC games rather than just console ports. Don't get me wrong I enjoy playing console games, but I can't see this improving things for the PC.

[virtuo]

2 things that I'd like to be sure about before I get too excited

1. The press release only talks about MS Studios published games, what about everyone else - will there be a framework in place that allows any publisher to use the feature?

2. Will I need an XB1 console? I was interested in the XB1S, but if a lot of the titles will work on my PC I'd happily save on the cost of more gadgets. Sounds promising that titles will be listed in the Windows store, so I'd presume I won't need XB1 hardware.

[scaryjim]

...2. Will I need an XB1 console? ....

Don't see why you would. The whole point is that you get both XBox AND PC formats of the game, and play either or both as suits you. Not having an XB1 means you won't get the best out of the deal, but the games - AFAICT nayway - will just be regular digital download PC games in the Windows Store, that happen to come with a free XB1 digital download too.

[crossy]

...2. Will I need an XB1 console? ....

Don't see why you would. The whole point is that you get both XBox AND PC formats of the game, and play either or both as suits you. Not having an XB1 means you won't get the best out of the deal, but the games - AFAICT nayway - will just be regular digital download PC games in the Windows Store, that happen to come with a free XB1 digital download too.

That was pretty much my assumption too. Strangely enough I did get something from Microsoft asking me if I'd like a free copy of Forza for the PC seeing as I have the Xbone version. Of course I said yes.... and it's actually pretty decent, certainly as responsive etc as the console version.

I think that, like virtuo, I'd like to see other game publishers adopting this - in faith though I can't see either EA nor Ubisoft being interested.

[Mapester]

They should make a great PC version that can use higher spec hardware to make use of higher resolutions, better textures , keyboard and mouse support thought about at the concept stage of making a game. Then do a console port that has lower res everything to accomodate the relevant hardware, especially as current consoles share simular architecture to PCs now, although already in 2016 a console can only just manage 900p, let alone 1440p above 60fps or in SLI over 120 fps consistantly.

If they do it on the current console to PC port method the quality of games will go down hill fast unless they release a new console every year to keep up with the constantly evolving PC platform.

[Tabbykatze]

They should make a great PC version that can use higher spec hardware to make use of higher resolutions, better textures , keyboard and mouse support thought about at the concept stage of making a game. Then do a console port that has lower res everything to accomodate the relevant hardware, especially as current consoles share simular architecture to PCs now, although already in 2016 a console can only just manage 900p, let alone 1440p above 60fps or in SLI over 120 fps consistantly.

If they do it on the current console to PC port method the quality of games will go down hill fast unless they release a new console every year to keep up with the constantly evolving PC platform.

I think that is the plan, when the game is running on PC it can take advantage of the better hardware through scaling in the various systems that could affect it. Apparently that's similar to what happened with Quantum Break.

[ultrasbm]

Maybe soon all consoles will be PCs....? Lol

[Norbert1333]

Will I be able to share games with someone by using the "home xbox feature" I have a PC but my friend has an Xbox One so we could share the games if this works?

[virtuo]

Will I be able to share games with someone by using the "home xbox feature" I have a PC but my friend has an Xbox One so we could share the games if this works?

This would be a great, however I think there will be something in place to prevent it (I expect maybe "linking" your console and PC with the same login). You might get away with it if you are happy allowing someone to log in to their xbox with your windows user/password.