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

Microsoft details rollout plan for Xbox Play Anywhere launch

Add as a preferred source on Google

Microsoft laid out a detailed plan for introducing Xbox Play Anywhere, its new cross-play initiative for the Xbox One and Windows 10. This included a list of upcoming games that will support it, and what users will need to take advantage of it.

Announced at Microsoft’s E3 2016 keynote, Xbox Play Anywhere gives players digital access to participating games on both Xbox One and Windows 10, offers cloud saving so you can switch between the two platforms and, in some cases, supports cross-platform multiplayer. Microsoft will also track achievements and DLC purchases across both platforms.

Recommended Videos

According to a report from Polygon, Xbox Play Anywhere will only support games purchased digitally. Players who buy disc-based games for Xbox One (or Windows 10) will not have access to multi-platform support.

Microsoft announced Wednesday that the Xbox One summer software update and the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which launches August 2, will integrate Xbox Play Anywhere support to the platforms. The first game to support the service will be Comcept and Armature Studio’s action-adventure game ReCore, which launches September 13.

Microsoft also confirmed the full list of announced games that will support Xbox Play Anywhere upon release:

  • Gears of War 4
  • Forza Horizon 3
  • ReCore
  • Sea of Thieves
  • Halo Wars 2
  • Scalebound
  • Killer Instinct Season 3
  • State of Decay 2
  • Ark: Survival Evolved
  • Cuphead
  • We Happy Few
  • Crackdown 3

As you might have expected, the majority of the games are either Xbox exclusives or games that received co-marketing support from Microsoft. There’s at least one notable exception on the list: Capcom’s Dead Rising 4, a timed exclusive on track to launch on Xbox One and Windows 10 in December. That doesn’t necessarily mean the game won’t receive cross-platform support of some kind. The standalone version of The Witcher 3 card game, Gwent, will support Xbox One and Windows 10 cross-play when it enters beta in September, but is not listed as an official Xbox Play Anywhere title.

Mike Epstein
Former Associate Editor, Gaming
Michael is a New York-based tech and culture reporter, and a graduate of Northwestwern University’s Medill School of…
Phantom Blade Zero hands-on: An extraordinary game with unbelievable combat that I can’t get enough of
Every fight feels like a beautifully choreographed martial arts movie, except I'm the one controlling every move.
Phantom Blade Zero poster

We have had a considerable number of high-profile game releases this year, but none so far have had as much hype behind them as Phantom Blade Zero. The source of all that hype was a 2023 trailer highlighting its fluid kung-fu-derived sword combat. Considering that, at the time of writing this piece, there are over 700,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, on a weekday no less, I think it's safe to say that the hype has converted into gamers actually showing up for the game. I have sunk around 10 hours into this game today, and so far, it has been nothing short of an absolute masterclass in action combat.

A world that pulls you in from the start

Read more
Claude helped bring a PS2 emulator to the browser, and it can run GTA San Andreas
TabStationToo adapts PCSX2 for browser play, with the developers reporting near-full-speed performance in some games
TabStationToo on laptop

Two friends have used Claude to help bring the open-source PS2 emulator PCSX2 to a browser. Their project, TabStationToo, has been tested with games including GTA San Andreas and Final Fantasy XII.

The developers say Claude did most of the programming while they directed the work and tested the results. It’s still experimental, but games run locally without installing a desktop emulator.

Read more
Phantom Blade Zero joins GeForce NOW, and your old PC can join the party
No gaming PC? Nvidia has a way to play Phantom Blade Zero anyway
Phantom Blade Zero Featured Image

Phantom Blade Zero is finally here, bringing its slick martial arts combat and striking kungfupunk world to PC. If you're worried that your PC can't run it, Nvidia has a cloud solution. The game is joining GeForce NOW at launch, allowing players to experience S-GAME's ambitious action RPG without investing in expensive new hardware.

The announcement is part of Nvidia's latest GFN Thursday update, which brings nine games to its cloud gaming service this week, alongside modding support for two popular RPGs and new subscription options for players in India.

Read more