Universal update inbound: Exclusive Xbox One games appearing in Windows Store

By Imad Khan Published May 16, 2016

It’s been known for some time that Microsoft wants Windows 10 to run across all of its devices, and new evidence points to good news for PC gamers.

Ahead of the Anniversary Update for Windows 10 and Xbox One, which will merge the Windows and Xbox stores, certain titles are showing up for Insider Preview members.

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According to Russian Windows enthusiast website Onetile, as reported by MSPoweruser, Xbox One games like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Overwatch, and the Metro Redux Bundle are appearing for Windows Insider Preview members. Not only games, but apps such as the EA Access Vault are also up. Because only Insider Preview members can see it, these apps are hidden from the public.

The Anniversary Update is expected to launch later this summer, and it will allow developers to release universal apps for Xbox One. Gamers are already seeing glimpses of this within the current Windows Store. Games such as Forza Motorsport 6: Apex, Killer Instinct, Gears of War Ultimate Edition, Quantum Break, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, and Rise of the Tomb Raider are already available to download.

Being able to run universal apps on Xbox is a big deal, and will bring the gaming console even closer to becoming a PC. With it, users, for example, could install Word, Powerpoint, or Facebook Messenger. In essence, the Xbox One could become a lite PC, working as a great secondary machine or dorm room device.

The merged store will most likely go into beta by the end of this month or early next month. This will work as a testing ground before the universal store’s official launch. Its announcement is expected to occur later this summer, hopefully with a full consumer release date not too far off.

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Imad has been a gamer all his life. He started blogging about games in college and quickly started moving up to various…

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