Microsoft left the internet in quite a bit of shock recently by announcing that the upcoming highly anticipated shooter Quantum Break, which was originally meant to be an Xbox One exclusive, will also be released on PC simultaneously with the console version. Those who pre-order the game on Xbox One will get a copy of the PC version as well, thanks to cross-buy, which is something that we will now see happen more often as Microsoft has decided to make cross-buy and cross-save a “platform feature”.

Microsoft Plans to Make Cross-Buy Between Xbox One and PC a "Platform Feature" - Spencer Supports Decision About Bringing Quantum Break to PC

　　@Nahkapukki @MSFTY @Nicodemus9 @DCNationSlade We'll make it a platform feature. We think it's good for gamers.

　　— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 11, 2016

　　Quantum Break will be the first game from Microsoft to support cross-buy on Xbox One and PC. The upcoming shooter will also support cross-save feature, allowing players to sync files and switch between console and their Windows 10 PC to continue their in-game progress on either of the two platforms. Although Spencer indicated that Microsoft wants to implement these features as proper “platform features,” it is still unknown if third-party developers and publishers will actually support them and if the features will be available in normal future game purchases instead of being preorder-only.

　　Spencer also supported the platform holder’s decision about bringing Quantum Break to PC. In reply to a fan who apparently acknowledged how Microsoft is trying to create a larger ecosystem by not limiting games to Xbox One alone, Spencer wrote; “This is exactly what we've been saying since GDC. I agree. More players, more games, better ecosystem.” However, that doesn’t mean Microsoft is not focusing exclusively on Xbox One itself anymore.

　　@Nicodemus9 @MSFTY @DCNationSlade This is exactly what we've been saying since GDC. I agree. More players, more games, better ecosystem.

　　— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 11, 2016

　　Cross-buy and cross-save features are not something that is brand new in the gaming industry. Sony has provided both the features to PlayStation players across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation vita since 2012. Gamers have also enjoyed cross-buy on Steam with Mac and PC titles for a few years now. Upcoming high-profile Microsoft games like ReCore, Sea of Thieves, and Fable Legends will most probably also feature cross-buy and cross-save.