Microsoft's plan to combine the Windows and Xbox ecosystem is off with the release of ReCore. This initiative is called Xbox Play Anywhere, and it simply means anyone who purchases ReCore from the Windows Store can play it at no extra cost on the Xbox One.
If the game is purchased from the Xbox Store first, it can also be played on Windows 10 at no extra cost. This is no doubt a great deal, but it destroys the prospects of the Xbox brand of consoles ever having exclusive titles in the future.
ReCore's release has been tarnished by a plethora of average ratings from reviewers. Apparently, the game has fun gameplay mechanics, but it's lacking in design and other important aspects.
Still, it only costs $40, so there might be some value in playing it. Microsoft will hope its other titles manage to gain good traction among critics.
ReCore won't be the only title to come with Xbox Play Anywhere support. Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3 are the big guns set to hit both the Windows Store and Xbox Store later this year.
These games are well known as some of the best franchises for Microsoft and will likely be the ones to bring the players together. Unlike ReCore, which is merely a single player game, Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3 are both single player and multiplayer games.
Players from both Windows 10 and Xbox One will have the chance to play against each other in Forza Horizon 3, but not exactly so in Gears of War 4. Due to the mouse and keyboard advantage of PC gamers when it comes down to shooters, the only way for players from both platforms to play with each other is via multiplayer co-op, but not in the competitive scene.
Outside of allowing gamers to play their titles anywhere across Windows 10 and Xbox, along with connecting with each other, Xbox Play Anywhere could boost digital sales and ownership in a big way.
The idea of buying a game once and having the ability to play it across multiple platforms without needing to pay for it a second time could be the turning point. However, it will boil down to how many folks are willing to use the Windows Store as their source for games.
Steam is the main content provider on Windows 10 right now, and the platform supports other versions of the operating system. Xbox Play Anywhere only supports Windows 10, which limits its reach.
