Microsoft softens cross-platform publishing promise

Microsoft has backtracked on a pledge to publish all Microsoft Studios titles on both Windows and Xbox, toning its plans down considerably to cover only those games previously shown off at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) earlier this year.

When Microsoft announced the impending launch of Xbox Play Anywhere, it included two major features: cross-platform cloud saves and a buy-once play-anywhere linked purchasing system which would allow gamers to buy a game on the Xbox One and play the same game on their Windows 10 devices and vice-versa. This latter feature, however, only applies if the purchased game is actually available across both platforms. At the time, Microsoft provided a list of games that would be compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere when it launches in September and promised it would be publishing all its first-party titles on both Xbox and Windows going forward.

Now, though, Microsoft has backed down from its promise. 'Every new title published from Microsoft Studios will support Xbox Play Anywhere and will be easily accessible in the Windows Store,' the company's original statement read. 'Every new title published from Microsoft Studios that we showed onstage at E3 this year will support Xbox Play Anywhere and will be easily accessible in the Windows Store,' its updated statement reads - emphasis added for clarity between the two - which represents a considerably smaller investment on the company's part.

Xbox Play Anywhere is due to go live in September, and will require an Xbox One and at least one device running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.