Microsoft is planning to offer incentives to Windows users (specifically 7 and Vista users) to upgrade to Windows 10 by making the upgrade a cost-free endeavor. It looks like the company is using that same approach for gamers on Windows by confirming today that Windows 10 users will have free access to Xbox Live online multiplayer gaming.
With the announcement coming out today via Xbox Director, Larry Hyrb’s Twitter account rather than at the Microsoft GDC press conference a couple of days ago, and the fact that Xbox One and 360 users still pay for the service; this news may be met with some confusion and apprehension.
We are sure there will be more news about the details of this plan as we come upon Build, E3, and the eventual roll out of Windows 10, but for Microsoft this is yet another sign that they are focused on Windows (specifically Windows 10) continuing to be their wedge into their other business ventures. With over 1.5 billion people using Windows, and around 60 to 70 million active Xbox Live users, allowing would-be Windows gamers access to Xbox Live features from their PC’s, tablets, or phones should be the incentive the Xbox team needs in order to sell a console, or in some cases vice versa. Someone using an aging Mac or Chromebook who wants to extend the features of his or her gaming experience beyond the console may look to a Windows 10 device to do so now with the cost of entry being so low.
How would this affect current Xbox Live paying subscribers has yet to be answered. How do you feel about this?
Further reading: Free, Games, Live, Microsoft, Windows, Windows 10, Xbox, Xbox One
