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Xbox One devs can get a "head start" with Windows 8

By Mike Williams

Xbox One devs can get a "head start" with Windows 8

Mon 01 Jul 2013 1:57pm GMT / 9:57am EDT / 6:57am PDT

Microsoft hints that Windows 8 apps may run on the Xbox One

Microsoft

microsoft.com

At the Build 2013 conference last week, Microsoft vice president of developer and platform evangelism Steve Guggenheimer (pictured) hinted that those interested in Xbox One development can look at creating apps for Windows 8. Guggenheimer showed off a simple web application running on the Xbox One while at the event.

"Xbox One has two engines, it's got a gaming engine and it essentially has a Windows 8 engine," said Guggenheimer, according to a report by The Verge. "Nothing to announce today, but when I talk about that common core you're seeing that common core in action, being able to target other devices over time that run the Windows 8 engine. If you want to know about how to get a head start about thinking about developing for Xbox One, the logical thing to do is go build Windows 8 applications."

This was the barest of hints about Windows 8 apps running on the Xbox One. There was no clarification on where independently-developed apps would end up on the Xbox One, or if they would still have to pass certification. Hopefully, Microsoft will have more details in the near future.

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10 Comments

Kevin Hillary writer/videographer

8 7 0.9
Who didn't see that coming though? I actually already had that ideal in mind before it was initially announced anyway.

Posted:3 years ago

#1

Paul Johnson Managing Director / Lead code monkey, Rubicon Development

1,219 2,667 2.2
And the other foot comes down.

Posted:3 years ago

#2

Murray Lorden Game Designer & Developer, MUZBOZ

213 77 0.4
I found a Windows 8 machine on the side of the road.

While perusing it, I noticed that lots of the Main Menu doodads try to link off to Xbox services, relating to games, watching movies, etc.

Really, it's just an ongoing integration that's been happening since they announced the "Games for Windows" system, or whatever it was, that shared your achievements and stuff between Xbox and Windows.

Posted:3 years ago

#3

Adam Campbell Product Executive, Hopster

1,453 1,548 1.1
I expected a Windows Store tie-in as a given - tablets, phones, PC, then why not Xbox?

Posted:3 years ago

#4

Greg Wilcox Creator, Destroy All Fanboys!

2,606 1,683 0.6
Well, given that their current TV ads pretty much state Xbox games (in some form) will be part of W8 (if you take that narration and visual together), yeah, this is pretty obvious that it was coming for some time.

Posted:3 years ago

#5

Craig Page El Presidente, Awesome Enterprises

510 348 0.7
The only problem is you need to install Windows 8 on your computer to develop for Windows 8. And who really wants to do that? I had it on a work computer for about 45 minutes before giving up and reformatting that hard drive.

Posted:3 years ago

#6

Igor M D

23 18 0.8
@Craig
Few years ago developers complained that they had to use Macs in order to develop for iOS. Yet, that hasn't stopped anyone, since the incentive was so big.
Now, if MS allows to develop and distribute freely on XONE (with retail unit being a devkit) people will be downloading Win8 at no time.

On a side note: why is feature rumoured only now? It should have been announced and implemented months ago. I don't think that MS will be able to prepare this for launch.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Igor M on 2nd July 2013 11:07pm

Posted:3 years ago

#7

Yiannis Koumoutzelis Founder & Creative Director, Neriad Games

367 211 0.6
it is interesting how we all saw it coming yet most were complaining about the lack of indie support. it appears there is more we do not know about Xbox One!

Btw, I use Windows 8 Pro, (now 8.1) on a non touch machine (touch is even better) and working on it for months making my games on it. Performs faster, interacts faster feels fresh, and offers a lot of convenience! It is a much better and modern windows experience hands down! VS 2012 is awesome too!

Combine that with Unity and Microsoft striking a deal to eliminate the entry cost for Unity Xbox One development which is awesome too! Many small shops are already very happy!

Posted:3 years ago

#8

James Boulton Tools & Tech Coder, Slightly Mad Studios

146 186 1.3
@Igor "Few years ago developers complained that they had to use Macs in order to develop for iOS. Yet, that hasn't stopped anyone, since the incentive was so big."

Some people develop for iOS without touching a Mac. There are ways to do it, and even nicely integrated into .NET. If the Mac really was a requirement for developing for iOS, I'm not convinced I would have gone there.

Back on topic... so the XBone actually is just a PC with a different interface bolted on. Not unexpected after they said it would have the same kernel as windows 8 I guess!

Posted:3 years ago

#9

Tom Keresztes Programmer

742 400 0.5
"Few years ago developers complained that they had to use Macs in order to develop for iOS. Yet, that hasn't stopped anyone, since the incentive was so big."
Err, developers maybe complained about the C64 and the Atari 2600, too. They still made stuff.

Posted:3 years ago

#10

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