Microsoft will unveil universal apps for the Xbox gaming system at its Build 2016 conference, which will take place March 30 to April 1 at The Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif.
Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's Xbox division has confirmed the upcoming Xbox universal apps on Twitter.
We will discuss our next steps with the Universal Windows Platform at //build later this month.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 4, 2016
The Xbox apps will be a long-awaited addition to a suite that includes universal apps for Windows 10 and mobile devices.
It is the latest venture in Microsoft's endeavor to tie all platforms together and allow developers to easily port apps from one product to another.
Developers have to create special versions of their apps for the Xbox, but that will change once Microsoft incorporates the Xbox into its Universal Windows Program.
The announcement comes on the heels of scathing criticism from Epic Games co-founder and CEO Tim Sweeney, who wrote in The Guardian newspaper that Microsoft is trying to monopolize the video game market and that the industry needs to fight back. It was a surprising volley from the head of a company that has worked extensively with Microsoft — Epic's Gears of War series is exclusive to Xbox and Windows.
Spencer responded to Sweeney's criticism of Microsoft's practices:
Windows has always been an open ecosystem welcoming the contributions of hardware and software partners, and will always continue to be.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 4, 2016
UWP is a fully open ecosystem, available to every developer, and can be supported by any store. Broad range of tools https://t.co/LqPcjRFzu9
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 4, 2016
Sweeney responded:
I like the sound of this, and look forward to thorough technical details on UWP's planned openness at //build. https://t.co/9oitPe3DuM
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 4, 2016
SOURCE: Phil Spencer