Microsoft announces Play, brings XBLA titles to Windows 8 and RT
It's exciting to see Microsoft going the cross-platform way with its titles. However, Microsoft says that more Arcade titles are coming soon, so there is a good reason to stick by the platform.
In a surprising move, Microsoft is bringing its title of Arcade games from the Xbox Live ecosystem to Windows 8 and RT through its Play initiative. Initially set to launch with 15 titles, Play would allow users to access their entire Xbox Live set of features such as Gamertagg, statistics and sometime later, MS even plans of introducing a new Marketplace.
The list of games that are lined up for launch are; Toy Soldiers 4, Elements: Special Edition, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Rocket Riot 3D, Reckless Racing Ultimate, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Mahjong, Microsoft Minesweeper, Taptiles, Adera, Pinball FX2, Wordament, Gunstringer: Dead Man Running, Ilomilo , Skulls of the Shogun. While none of the titles are earth-shattering, but it’s exciting to see Microsoft going the cross-platform way with its titles. However, Microsoft says that more Arcade titles are coming soon, so there is a good reason to stick by the platform.
Microsoft has teamed up with Nvidia to bring the Arcade experience from the Xbox Live to the PC and especially the much maligned Windows RT. However, we don’t expect to see the next Gears of War or Halo 5 storming their way onto the cross-platform Play.
Here is video promo for the new service :