The Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) initiative has officially surpassed 1000 developers, further expanding its reach across Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and supported handhelds. For those unfamiliar, XPA allows players to buy a digital game once and play it across all supported devices at no extra cost, while keeping their saves and progress synced.
At this year’s ID@Xbox Showcase during GDC, developers behind upcoming Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) titles Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Detective Dotson, and Towerborne shared why they embraced the initiative and how it benefits their games and communities.
Xbox Play Anywhere: Expanding reach and accessibility
For Detective Dotson, director Shalin Shodhan, the appeal of Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) lies in its ability to boost discoverability.
Shodhan explained;
“Making a game is hard enough, but selling one in 2025 is even harder. This gives us all the surfaces that Xbox and Microsoft have as a common access point to sell our game,”
The ability to reach players across multiple platforms means a wider audience can engage with the game without additional barriers.
Meanwhile, the team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launching April 24 on Game Pass, sees Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) as a way to foster connections between players. François Meurisse, studio co-founder, emphasised the importance of accessibility.
“Having players able to play on different devices they already own is ideal. It helps them discover our game, connect with its universe, and maybe even follow our future projects.”
Essential for co-op play
For games built around multiplayer, Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) is a no-brainer. Towerborne game director Daniel McLaren stressed how important cross-platform accessibility is for their co-op-focused title.
“We’ve built a game structured around playing together—whether it’s couch co-op, online, or just having someone next to you watching. We needed XPA so anyone could join, whether on PC or Xbox. We didn’t want to limit our community.”
McLaren also highlighted how XPA removes frustrating platform restrictions:
“It’s absurd that I can’t play on my PC while my friend, who only owns an Xbox, is locked out. Being able to do this… I don’t understand why everyone wouldn’t.”
A feature built for players
Beyond its advantages for developers, Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) also benefits gamers directly. Shodhan sees it as a natural step forward.
“If I own a game and multiple devices, I should be able to play it wherever I want without extra purchases or store restrictions. That’s the ideal experience.”
Meurisse agrees, adding that Xbox Cloud Gaming takes the experience further.
“I haven’t got a Steam Deck yet, but playing games on my iPad in bed with a controller is fantastic. The bigger screen makes for a great experience.”
More ways to play, more players for developers
XPA continues to be a standout feature, offering both convenience for players and a larger audience for developers. With over 1000 developers now on board, the initiative is proving to be a win-win, allowing more people to enjoy their favourite games, wherever they choose to play.
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