Microsoft's Play strategy brings Xbox games to Windows 8 and RT

Microsoft signaled its intent to directly back Windows 8 gaming before the OS was shipping, and it's proving true to its word through a new Play program. The team-up with NVIDIA brings Xbox (or really, Xbox Live Arcade) games directly to Windows 8 and Windows RT, with friends, multiplayer and other extras intact. An initial catalog won't move all our playtime to a Surface just yet, though. While there's notable titles like Ilomilo+ and Toy Soldiers, most of the 15-game library involves decidedly casual releases like Minesweeper. It's still a start, and more is coming: Microsoft tells us that the spring launch of World Series of Poker: Full House Pro will let gamers resume play on either Windows or the Xbox. We're not expecting a completely cross-platform Halo 5 anytime soon, but having a steady stream of familiar, tightly integrated games may keep some of us in Microsoft's ecosystem for a good while.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2ZPfrRxQ-k0#!

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/16/microsoft-play-strategy-brings-xbox-games-to-windows-8-and-rt/

So...does this include retail 360 games? Also, does it restrict online to those with XBL Gold?

Well, too bad, and also, good. With a move like this though you could expect them to push forth a full digital library thusly creating their own distribution platform on PC. But I'm not sure what the business difficulties would be in approaching that while maintaining console hardware on the market. Then again, maybe that is their intent.

I think this is what Press Play is working on. Maybe even Twisted Pixel if they feel like it.

Maybe in a few years when retail and digital become a blurry line

Never heard of any of these XBLA games. In the end it only means Xbox loses more exclusives.

Didn't I have an argument with people that this was going to happen in my thread asking why I would buy a neXtBox over just having a PC?