While many people typically don’t run to the Windows 10 Store to pick up games, that’s mostly due to the fact that games simply aren’t able to be pre-ordered there. Like it or not, online pre-orders are alive and well and are a huge convenience for many a gamer. Well, that used to be a thing but not anymore as Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 users can now pre-order games via the Windows store. Not exactly sure why this wasn’t something that was added before, but it has been added none the less. In addition, this now includes Xbox Play Anywhere titles such as Gears of War 3, Forza Horizon 3 and ReCore.
We are happy to announce that you can now pre-order Windows 10 PC games from the Windows Store. As we prepare for one of our biggest holiday launches ever, the Window 10 PC versions of ReCore, Forza Horizon 3, and Gears of War 4 can be pre-ordered from the Windows Store starting today.
Each of these games supports Xbox Play Anywhere, giving our community the freedom to play their games wherever they want. These are just the first few Xbox Play Anywhere games, with many more coming – check out the full list at Xbox Play Anywhere.
When you buy an Xbox Play Anywhere digital game through the Xbox Store or the Windows Store, it’s yours to play on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC at no additional cost. Plus, when you start playing any Xbox Play Anywhere game, you can pause and pick back up where you left off on another Xbox One or Windows 10 PC, bringing all your saves, game add-ons, and Achievements with you. In all cases, Xbox Play Anywhere titles act as one game with one account and can be accessed across multiple devices. And if you don’t yet own one of these devices, don’t worry, your catalog of Xbox Play Anywhere games lives in the cloud and will be ready to download in the future.
Visit the Windows Store today to pre-order this holiday season’s biggest lineup of games ever, exclusively featuring Xbox Play Anywhere
Of course, after the announcement, I had to check it out and to be honest I’m a bit disappointed. Instead of being able to actually pre-order the games directly in the Windows store, it’s actually a shortcut that opens a web browser and takes you to the Microsoft online store. At least the moment it is. You also can’t find the games unless you search for them. If Microsoft really wants this to take off and get more sales via the Windows store, they need to have some sort of feature. Have it large and loud, let me know that this option is available now. Make me want to pre-order my games via this method, just don’t put a press release out and leave it be.
C’mon Microsoft, I’m rooting for you, but this has to be implemented much better than what it is now. For a full list of upcoming Xbox Play Anywhere titles, see below.
- Ark: Survival Evolved – Available now via Xbox Game Preview
- Crackdown 3 – TBD date in 2017
- Cuphead – TBD date in 2016
- Forza Horizon 3 – Sept. 27, 2016
- Gears of War 4 – Oct. 11, 2016
- Halo Wars 2 – Feb. 21, 2017
- Killer Instinct Season 3 – Available Now
- ReCore – Sept. 16, 2016
- Scalebound –TBD date in 2017
- Sea of Thieves – TBD date in 2017
- State of Decay 2 – TBD date in 2017
- We Happy Few – Available now via Xbox Game Preview
