Microsoft Is Finally Getting Serious About PC Support, But Where Does That Leave Xbox?

Windows gamers have been loudly complaining almost Microsoft's disappointing PC support in the last few years, and rightfully so. After many unfulfilled promises and the Games for Windows Live debacle (the pinnacle beingness Microsoft'due south short lived effort to demand Xbox Alive Gold subscription on PC), it is understandable that gamers would still exist skeptical after hearing Phil Spencer'due south latest promise of improving PC back up in one case and for all.

However, the Head of Xbox Division proved himself already with Xbox One. After a disastrous launch marred by the infamous Xbox I DRM plan, he was able to turn the ship completely and came through on all accounts.

That'southward why I was willing to believe him, and now information technology looks like that trust was non misplaced.

Yesterday Microsoft confirmed their lineup of exclusive titles and in doing so, ReCore was announced to be planned for Windows ten as well in 2022.

ReCore has been 1 of my virtually anticipated titles headed to Xbox One since its announcement at E3 2022. In case you lot're non familiar with information technology, information technology's an action/chance game where a young woman and her robot companions fix to explore a post-apocalyptic world controlled by machines. As suggested past the title, it volition be possible to movement the core of a companion into the robotic torso of a defeated enemy, thus providing different tactical options for combat.

Other than the interesting premise and visually appealing fine art mode, the developers also have a significant background in the gaming industry. ReCore is being designed by Comcept (the company headed by Keiji Inafune, who designed the MegaMan grapheme and produced many blockbuster titles at Capcom) and developed by Armature Studio, a team formed by some of the key developers of the stellar Metroid Prime trilogy. I of these, Mark Pacini, is ReCore'southward Game Director.

It's more than merely this single title, though. If you await at the lineup, nine of the twelve listed titles are coming to Windows x as function of the increased PC support.

Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One & Windows x) – Autumn 2022
Fable Legends Open Beta (Xbox One & Windows 10) – Leap 2022
ReCore (Xbox One & Windows 10) – 2022
Ocean of Thieves (Xbox I & Windows 10) – 2022
Gigantic (Xbox I & Windows 10) – 2022
Killer Instinct: Season 3 (Xbox One & Windows 10) – March 2022
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Windows 10) – Jump 2022
Ori and the Bullheaded Forest: Definitive Edition (Xbox One & Windows 10) – Spring 2022
Cobalt (Xbox I, Xbox 360 & Steam) – Feb. 2, 2022

Showtime of all, the list provides a release window for Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. According to The Coalition, significant piece of work has been done to make this a proper showcase of DirectX 12 at 4K resolution and unlocked frame charge per unit.

However, there's a lot more.

Killer Instinct is widely regarded as a smashing fighting game and it's now set to launch on Windows 10 in just a couple of months, with full cross-play and cross-purchase functionality. Rare's new IP, Body of water of Thieves, looked great in its reveal trailer (afterward all, it's being fabricated with Unreal Engine four); it will exist a pirate themed multiplayer adventure where players are encouraged to create their own stories through gameplay.

Fable Legends, the first multiplayer focused franchise entry and 1 of the first DirectX 12 titles (you lot can check our preliminary benchmark here), is set to enter Open Beta on both platforms in only a few months. But the biggest one could actually exist Halo Wars 2, given that Microsoft has enlisted a strategy powerhouse developer of the caliber of Artistic Assembly.

That's not to mention some potential indie gems like Gigantic, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Cobalt. Overall, anyone would be hard pressed to complain about Microsoft's lack of PC support correct at present; Spencer is finally delivering what Windows gamers have asked for a long time.

There is a flip side to every coin, though, and this is no exception. As it turns out, there are currently only three truthful Xbox One exclusives on the mode to Microsoft's console: Quantum Break, Crackdown 3 and Gears of War 4.

Now, brand no mistake. These are some important titles, just are they arrangement sellers (or killer applications, as we used to telephone call them dorsum in the day)? Crackdown never really set the world on fire with sales or critical reception before and it'south difficult to imagine this will exercise any unlike, even with the power of the deject (which will be express to multiplayer, anyway).

Gears of War has a large following to say the least. Nevertheless, it's of import to call back that there has been a modify of developer and in these cases, it'southward ever hard to say whether the quality volition still be the same. The Coalition nonetheless has to prove their ability to deliver a new Gears of War entry on par with the kickoff trilogy and the E3 2022 reveal of Gears of War 4 didn't exactly sell anyone on that regard withal.

Quantum Interruption is clearly the spearhead of this trivial lineup, but it brings its own set of concerns. While Remedy has always delivered quality products so far, they've tied the game and the TV testify very closely together and like attempts have failed spectacularly in the past. Moreover, previous Remedy games have always made it to PC eventually; we all think Alan Wake, though in this case the IP is owned by Microsoft so things might become differently.

Before yesterday's announcements of ReCore's Windows 10 release and Scalebound'due south delay into 2022, I was beyond certain that I would purchase an Xbox One this year. At present, I'thou honestly not then sure anymore that those three games volition be enough to convince me.

Microsoft might very well have more unannounced exclusives coming upwards this yr (but that's true for Windows as well, with Decisive Games rumored to exist working on a new Historic period of Empires), but for the moment being the Xbox One doesn't seem well equipped when information technology comes to exclusives due in 2022. While I'chiliad happy virtually Microsoft'south increased PC back up, it likewise might mean that my Xbox One buy volition be delayed if not outright cancelled.