Rumor: Xbox Could Be Working on a New Cross-Platform Feature

Summary

• Xbox is planning a cross-platform Xbox guide menu to standardize user interfaces across multiple devices.
• PlayStation 5 is outselling Xbox Series X/S by a 3:1 ratio, but Xbox Game Pass growth continues.
• Project Rainway aims to enhance Xbox’s cross-platform features.

A new report suggests that Xbox could be working on ramping up its cross-platform efforts even further by implementing standardized user interfaces that can be used across multiple devices. Microsoft has emphasized making the Xbox platform more accessible, and it seems like this is one of the steps the video game giant is taking to attain its goal.

It’s been close to four years since the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 launched, and it seems like PlayStation has been dominating this generation by a significant margin. A recent report reveals that the PlayStation 5 is outselling the Xbox Series X/S by a 3:1 ratio. While that might seem like a huge setback for Xbox, Microsoft has continued to expand to other forefront. The Xbox Game Pass continues to add several exciting games from time to time and has witnessed steady growth. However, the Xbox Game Pass isn’t where Microsoft offerings stop, as it is reportedly working on enhancing the cross-platform experience alongside as well.

In a new report, Windows Central reveals an interesting project currently underway at Xbox. Apparently, Microsoft is working on a “cross-platform Xbox guide menu” which will comprise a set of in-game APIs and user interface features. The feature is reportedly codenamed Project Rainway and it aims to further amplify Xbox’s cross-platform offerings by delivering a consistent experience across various platforms. What these platforms will comprise hasn’t been revealed.

Xbox Aims to Standardize Cross-Platform Features Through Project Rainway

The report further adds that the motivation behind the project has been the various social features that games like Hearthstone, Diablo IV, and World of Warcraft incorporate through Battle.net. Additionally, it is noted that it could also bring enhancements akin to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Xbox cloud save support or Diablo 4’s cross-progression feature. Xbox aims to bring all of these features to its entire catalog, which has the potential to significantly enhance the user experience.

While this sounds quite ambitious and exciting, fans are curious to know what platforms this would extend to. In all likelihood, this probably won’t apply to consoles such as the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, as those platforms are less likely to allow an invasive Xbox guide menu. However, with Xbox becoming more and more lenient with its cross-platform restrictions it shouldn’t be extremely surprising to see other platforms tread the same path in the near future. For now, it will be interesting to see how Xbox continues to expand on its cross-platform efforts.