Today marks the first day of Microsoft Build Conference 2016, which means that you will be hearing a lot of news about the future of Microsoft, including its Xbox One strategy.
The first announcement regarding Xbox One has been confirmation that all future Forza titles will arrive on PC alongside Xbox One, beginning with the next release, which is rumored to debut later this year. Forza Motorsport 6's port to PC in the form of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex was just the tip of the iceberg.
The news has brought praise from PC gamers who are used to having access only to infrequently released smaller-budget racing games that tend to focus on physics over presentation (i.e. Assetto Corsa and iRacing). Being able to play what has become the best-received racing franchise of the current generation is a huge win.
This move is a part of Microsoft's initiative to tie together its presence in the console and PC markets. Its latest operating system, Windows 10, has been well received, and adopted by millions of consumers. Microsoft has seen this as a great opportunity to become a leader in PC game development.
One commonly noted detractor for Microsoft's initiative is its focus on the Windows Store. Many PC gamers prefer other software, namely Steam, and will be forced to purchase from Microsoft's first-party environment in order to play its games. On the plus side, it has been very careful to make the software much more consumer friendly and lightweight as compared to the widely hated Games for Windows – Live that debuted in 2007.
Other previously exclusive Xbox One games that will be hitting PC include Quantum Break, Sea of Thieves, and ReCore. It is likely that in the short-term future all Xbox One games will come to PC, as Gears of War 4 is also rumored to be included in the initiative.
