Microsoft ‘lost its way’ with gaming on Windows

Xbox boss Phil Spencer admitted to GDC attendees that the platform holder dropped the ball somewhat with Games for Windows and GfW Live but believes the firm’s plans to connect all of its devices will make up for that.

During a Microsoft event in San Francisco, the exec said the company’s cross-platform strategy will greatly benefit gamers and games developers alike, according to GamaSutra.

"Gaming was once central to what we did on Windows, but we’ve lost our way," Spencer confessed. "My hope is that the next Windows release will be the best ever for gamers, offering a single gaming social network, operating system, application player and store across all Windows devices."

It was announced at GDC last night that both Xbox Live and ID@Xbox would be expanded to incorporate Windows 10, and it has previously be confirmed that the new operating system will be integrated into Xbox One. This will enable Microsoft to include the home console in its wave of universal apps.

Spencer told GDC attendees that Windows 10 will create "a unified platform for video games across the full spectrum of devices".

He added: "Today the worlds of home consoles, mobile and so on are segmented. We want to unify by allowing people to play their games on any device that they own. If you want to play on your laptop, or desktop rig, we want to enable that across all Windows devices, including the Xbox."

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