Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Developers can port games between Windows 10 devices with just a few lines of code

Matthew S. Smith
By

developers can port games between windows 10 devices with just a few lines of code windows10gameporting
Image used with permission by copyright holder
When Microsoft announced the Xbox One, one of its major selling points was the device’s use of a common Windows kernel. That means, in theory, anything that works on Windows can be easily ported to Xbox, and vice versa. At the console’s release, though, this potential wasn’t as accessible as hoped.

That’s changing over time, and at a BUILD 2015 developer session two of the company’s Game Evangelists, Jamie Rodriguez and Brian Peek, laid out how games can be ported between devices with “just a few clicks.”

Recommended Videos

At it the most basic level, a developer that wants to bring a game from Windows 8.1 (Metro) or Windows Mobile over to Windows 10 won’t have to do much aside from support windowing. Microsoft also recommends specifying a minimum and preferred window size, and setting the game to deactivate when it loses focus. Similarly, a Windows 10 game can be ported over to the Xbox or Windows Mobile as long as a few basic requirements, such as full-screen support, are met.

Related

Microsoft is also expanding support for various control schemes. Windows 10 is designed to let access the InputPane with ease, and games will be able to accept text input without a TextBox. This means that inserting a touch keyboard into a game will be much easier than before.  There will also be a new Gamepad code class designed to support the Xbox One controller.

Perhaps the most interesting demonstration, though, related to Xbox Live. Windows 10 games will be able to access every Xbox Live service currently available to Xbox 360 and One games, from gamer profiles to achievements to multi-player matchmaking (note this does not necessarily mean PC and console players will be pooled together, though). On stage, within minutes, a simple game was modified to include support for Xbox Live sign-in and an Xbox Live leaderboard. Microsoft clearly wants Xbox Live to be as easy to add to games as possible, which makes sense; more game support, more users.

Taking this a step further, developers will be able to tap into “Title Callable UIs,” a set of pre-existing interfaces that handle common tasks like displaying a user’s Xbox Live profile and adding a multi-player invitation menu. Again, these are meant to be inserted straight into existing games with minimal modification, so developers can put Xbox Live to work quickly.

These changes will encourage game developers to treat all Microsoft devices like a single platform, and should increase selection for gamers – particularly those on Windows Mobile, who’ve had few options for entertainment in the past.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
Learn how to change your gamertag on an Xbox One in just a few simple steps
Xbox One X review controller in front

If you’ve been on Xbox One for a long enough time, you’ve probably seen your fair share of terrible gamertags. You might even be that person with the terrible username -- but you don’t have to be. It might seem tricky to change your username at first, but learning how to change your gamertag on an Xbox One is easier than it looks.

What’s especially nice about changing your gamertag on Xbox Live is that you can make the change on a variety of platforms. This will give you plenty of different ways to change your gamertag no matter where you are. Below, we’ll show you how to change your gamertag on Xbox One, and through Xbox’s website.

Read more
Here’s why your PC can’t install the Windows 10 May 2020 Update yet
A Microsoft Surface Book opened and being used.

After nearly a year of beta testing, the latest version of Windows 10 is finally here, but not every computer is ready for it just yet.

There are still some ongoing issues with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update that could result in your PC not finding it in Windows Update, or not installing it at all. Following problems with previous Windows 10 releases, this is all by design, as Microsoft is taking a "measured approach" with its rollout.

Read more
Windows 10 May 2020 update blocked on many Windows devices
Windows 10 Surface Pro 4 stock photo

Microsoft recently released its Windows 10 May 2020 Update, also known as version 2004, but it's now unavailable for many users. As reported by The Verge, users are seeing a notice that their devices are unable to download the new update.

The update was originally made available last week, and mostly included small but useful tweaks such as a visual update to virtual assistant Cortana, improvements to File Explorer, and the addition of a Cloud Download feature that allows for the reinstallation of Windows from the cloud instead of having to use a CD.

Read more