Xbox Play Anywhere Is Fantastic, But I Wish It Supported More Games

Back in the Xbox One generation, Microsoft unveiled a feature in the form of Xbox Play Anywhere that would allow you to purchase a game on your Xbox console and also get the Windows 10 version for free via the Xbox PC app.

We’re now multiple years into the lifespan of Play Anywhere, and while I’ve actually been using it more than ever in 2023, I can’t help but wish it supported more games. It’s a fantastic feature, and the first-party support isn’t bad at all (the likes of Starfield and Forza Motorsport are included), but third-party integration is somewhat spotty.

I’m not the only person who seems to think this. In a recent interview with Windows Central, Xbox boss Phil Spencer told the outlet that Xbox Play Anywhere had “been a long term part of our strategy”, but he didn’t think Xbox had made enough progress with it over time. He also highlighted its importance following the recent rise of handheld PCs.

With the likes of the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, Xbox owners can use the Play Anywhere functionality to access their games portably without having to purchase them again. That’s a massive win right out of the gate, and it would be even more impressive if the library of supported titles had grown more substantially over time.