Microsoft is aggressively expanding its PC gaming territory, significantly bolstering its Xbox app with nearly 400 new game titles. This strategic move underscores Microsoft’s ambitious plan to compete head-to-head with established giants like Steam and Battle.net, a competition further fueled by its massive $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The addition of these games transforms the Xbox app into a more comprehensive and central hub within Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem, offering players a wider variety of purchasing and playing options.
The expansion is a clear indication of Microsoft’s commitment to the PC gaming market. Chris Charla, Xbox content curation manager, highlighted the initiative in a recent Microsoft Developer post, stating, “Earlier this summer, we began working with partners to bring all PC games with Xbox features into the Xbox app. We’re super excited to see what Xbox games come to Windows PC from game creators in the future and to welcome nearly 400 titles that previously weren’t discoverable or purchasable in the Xbox app.” While a complete list of the newly added games remains unavailable, Microsoft confirmed the inclusion of popular titles like Shovel Knight Treasure Trove, showcasing the breadth and diversity of the additions.
This strategic expansion isn’t solely about numbers; it’s about enhancing the player experience. A key component of this initiative is the further integration of Xbox Play Anywhere. This popular feature allows players who purchase a Play Anywhere title to seamlessly enjoy it across multiple platforms – Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and even via cloud streaming. Charla emphasized the significance of this feature, stating, “More than 100 of these newly added titles are Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning if players buy the Xbox console version, they can play the Xbox PC version as well (and vice versa).” This ‘buy-one-get-one’ approach offers significant value and enhances the overall gaming experience.
While Microsoft initially aimed to integrate Android games and microtransactions into the Xbox Android app, recent court decisions have temporarily stalled this rollout. However, the substantial expansion of the PC app demonstrates Microsoft’s unwavering dedication to building a robust and compelling multi-platform gaming ecosystem. This aggressive move positions Microsoft to be a major player in the competitive PC gaming landscape and further solidifies its position as a leading force in the gaming industry. The future looks bright for Xbox PC gamers, with many more titles likely to join the roster as Microsoft continues its aggressive push into the market.
