Microsoft offers up more details on Spencer's GDC 2015 talk
Microsoft has provided more details on Cross-Buy functionality between Windows 10 and Xbox One as well as the Xbox Live SKU and other announcements made during Phil Spencer's talk today.
During the session, the head of Xbox shared "the next step" in the company’s plans for a unified platform across all Windows 10 devices which starts with making the process easier for developers.
Below is a bullet list of Microsoft's plans for developers and customers alike, straight from the source.
Xbox Live SDK Available for Windows 10: The Xbox Live SDK for Windows 10 will be in the hands of a broader set of developers soon. This SDK will provide access to the vast majority of Xbox Live services currently available on Xbox One, under a shared set of APIs, integrated with the Windows Store. We are also committed to making Xbox Live accessible to all game developers, regardless of size, which is why we’re introducing a new tier of Xbox Live that is designed to allow any developer to engage with the Xbox Live community.
Windows Universal App Platform: Windows 10 brings together one core operating system, one application platform, one gaming social network, one store, and one ingestion path across all Windows PCs, Tablets, Phones and Xbox One consoles. With the Universal App Platform, any developer can create a single project to target multiple devices. Developers will be able to do this and more when Windows 10 is available this year.
Windows Store: One store across devices means developers will now have the ability and flexibility to deliver content across PCs, console, tablets, and phones, easily and quickly. Similarly, by enabling new experiences such as cross-buy, developers now have more flexibility on the features they deliver to gamers across Windows devices.
Universal Development Center: The Universal Development Center provides fast, lightweight game submission and update capabilities within the developer’s direct control, as well as access to key metrics to understand their game’s performance. Improvements in platform, tools, and Xbox Live services, while reducing overhead of publishing, will foster more compelling game content and a richer, more engaged gaming community.
DirectX 12: DirectX 12 enables PC developers to have a new level of power and control and is a single API developers can access across Windows devices. Epic is creating Unreal Tournament using Unreal Engine 4 running on DirectX 12, which sets a new bar for visual fidelity in PC gaming.
Accessories: All wireless Xbox gaming accessories will be designed for and supported on both Xbox One consoles and Windows 10 PCs moving forward. Later this year, we’ll be delivering a Wireless Adapter that will let you use current Xbox controllers and future devices wirelessly on your PCs.
Elite: Dangerous is Coming to Xbox One: Elite: Dangerous will be coming to Xbox One this summer.
ID@Xbox Program Comes to Windows 10
It’s been an amazing year since we showed off the first ID@Xbox pre-release games last year at GDC. Many ID@Xbox games have shipped, hundreds of games are in development, and more than 1,000 independent studios have Xbox One development kits in hand. Today, we revealed that ID@Xbox will be expanding to help developers succeed by reaching gamers on Xbox One and Windows 10.
Gigantic Comes to Windows 10 and Xbox One: Motiga will bring its first game, Gigantic, to Windows 10 and Xbox One. The game is a five-on-five third-person MOBA optimized for both keyboard and mouse, and controller. It will be a cross-device game.
Microsoft HoloLens: While there are going to be many uses and industries that take advantage of Microsoft HoloLens and everything that holographic computing has to offer, gaming is a huge opportunity. Microsoft encourages game developers to join the Windows Insider Program to get the holographic APIs when available, and stay tuned for Build 2015, where we will share more details.
Microsoft said it will continue to gather feedback from the development community to ensure the games and content "on Windows 10 and Xbox is the best it can be" for all.