Microsoft apologizes for Xbox Play Anywhere miscommunication

Microsoft's play to have games and gamers glued to its platform, no matter what device, is a two-edged sword. What may be good news for some, especially PC gamers who feel left out of all the titles made exclusive to the Xbox consoles, is seen by others as an omen. Naturally, its announcement late June that all future Microsoft Studio titles will be part of its "Play Anywhere" program was met with mixed reception. Well, apparently the jubilation/consternation was a tad too early, as Microsoft has backtracked from its earlier "incorrect" blog post, limiting Play Anywhere titles to only those it showcased as such at E3.

The original blog post that boasted of the Play Anywhere efforts coming in Windows 10 Anniversary Update originally stated that "Every new title published from Microsoft Studios will support Xbox Play Anywhere and will be easily accessible in the Windows Store". That was no small news obviously, as it was something Microsoft only hinted at for the distant future. Some gamers were elated at the idea of PC and Xbox gaming finally becoming equals. Of course, some from both camps dreaded it for the very same reasons.

The latter might now have reason to rejoice. Microsoft at first silently update the line to now says "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", which is a considerably smaller subset than simply "every new title". So yes, Microsoft doesn't have yet the magic wand to make every Microsoft Studios title an Xbox Play Anywhere club member. Though now Microsoft has irked those looking forward to full Play Anywhere privileges.

That said, all of them will still have something to look forward to, as the list of Play Anywhere games is still a sizeable one that at least includes some of the Studio's key franchises. That includes, of course, Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. Other notables are ReCore, Scalebound, Halo Wars 2, and Killer Instinct Season 3.

For its part, Microsoft simply apologized for the confusion the erroneous or ambiguous blog post caused, and that's the end of the discussion.

VIA: PCGamesN