First things first! After endless discussion regarding how it would have been awesome to patch up PC with an Xbox, it seems Microsoft has finally responded with the answer most fans will take for the time being.
The big news comes from Phil Spencer, head of the company's video game division, who detailed Microsoft's plan for game developers to create universal apps that can run on both Xbox One consoles and PCs with Windows 10. The same support is also said to be available for smartphones, tablets and other devices running the forthcoming version of Windows.
"Our goal with gaming at Microsoft is to allow people to play games wherever they are," Spencer told game makers at the Game Developers Conference on Wednesday. "We know for developers that it's critically important for you to reach those gamers wherever they are."
Spencer also revealed that the partnership of Xbox One and Windows 10 would allow developers to make their games easily accessible to users, regardless of whether they are switching between devices or locations from where they are buying apps.
"We know there are billions of people that play games across all devices," Spencer said. "Today, the world is segmented. You don't have linkage really between the places that your customers are playing your games."
In case you don't remember, Microsoft first revealed its plans to bring Xbox and Windows together at the 21 January unveiling of HoloLens and Windows 10, with Spencer demonstrating the upcoming Xbox One game "Fable Legends" running on a PC for the same as well.
Now, let's talk about the most potential-filled Xbox One, PC amalgamation. According to reports, Microsoft has also partnered with developer Motiga to bring its upcoming game Gigantic to Xbox One, the company announced on Thursday during a Windows 10 event at GDC.
As revealed, the MOBA, RPG, arena shooter hybrid is expected to launch with cross-platform support. This allows you to play with Windows 10 PC players if you're on Xbox One, and vice versa. Apart from that, Gigantic also allows you to use one account across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.
If you haven't still checked out Gigantic (gameplay videos widely available on YouTube), let us tell you that it's somewhat a mix of several different genres, merged into a single game. In fact, the first game that came to our minds when we saw the gameplay for it was Smite, if you replace the game's characters with different Gods.
As for details, Gigantic is basically a five-on-five class-oriented arena shooter. Your job is to pick a character with a unique skill-set, while working together with your teammates in order to destroy the opposing team's guardian, while protecting your own. Sounds a lot like the usual capture-the-flag, doesn't it? Well, in this instance, replace the flag with a massive monster.
If you have to win the game, it depends on exactly how fast your reflexes are. But saying that a good reflex will win you the game is putting it easily. In fact, the game is heavily objective-based and allows team battles to break out almost anywhere in the map. Again, the objectives also keep varying with each passing moment.
"The world of Gigantic is a world of mystery, where airships soar over ancient ruins and a fantasy empire teeters on the brink of chaos. Charge into battle and lead your guardian to victory. Gigantic rewards the daring, the clever, and the swift," says the official page.
We have hopes from Gigantic that it will do well on release. And it's release can only be augmented by the fact that Windows 10 players can finally take up arms against their Xbox One counterparts. But it also means that you can start the game on a PC and resume it on an Xbox One, and vice versa.
Currently, Microsoft is investing heavily in training developers on how to create games that would work across its platforms by sponsoring similar GDC sessions as "Developing with Xbox Live for Windows 10" and "Gaming Consumer Experience on Windows 10."
Also, the move is part of Microsoft's chance to win back audience after losing ground in the world governed by smartphones and tablets.
