Xbox Live confirmed for Windows 8

The Xbox Live ecosystem will spread to Microsoft’s upcoming PC and tablet operating system, Windows 8, the company has confirmed.

Larry Hryb, Xbox’s director of programming, said bringing Xbox Live to Windows 8 “is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy”.

The move comes amid public messages from Microsoft that suggest Xbox Live is being repositioned to the centre of the company’s entertainment division.

But the introduction of Xbox Live onto PC raises questions on the future of Games for Windows Live – a separate Microsoft service tailor-made for PC.

It also is unclear if Windows 8 tablet devices will incorporate app games, and if so, whether Xbox Live will be integrated within these custom-made games.

Windows Phone apps currently integrate with some Xbox Live features.

In June, Microsoft said the future for Xbox is “all of the entertainment you want. With the people you care about. Made easy.”

The company said it would market Xbox “more as an entertainment brand”.

Microsoft is currently hosting a special event in Los Angeles, called Build, to promote its future software services.

“At Build we are showing that it is easy for developers to create games for Windows 8 that take advantage of the power of Xbox LIVE,” Hryb said.

“We have much more detail to share about the capabilities of Xbox LIVE on Windows and look forward to the opportunity to do so in the near future.”