Microsoft’s 2016 Build Developer Conference is unfolding at San Francisco’s Moscone Center this week - and the Xbox team shared its vision and goals for gaming, both on Xbox One and Windows 10, and the future of game development across devices. The head of Xbox Phil Spencer discussed Universal Windows Platform (UWP), the development platform Microsoft is embracing for gaming and apps across multiple Windows 10 devices, and what it means for game developers going forward. The new Xbox Dev Mode was also highlighted, allowing developers of all shapes and sizes to unlock their retail Xbox Ones to more efficiently build, test, and experiment with UWP apps and games.

Windows 10, Spencer shared during the keynote, is the best platform for developers, and that includes game developers. Windows 10 UWP is an open platform, available to developers of all sizes, with multiple paths provided to develop and deliver Win32 games and UWP titles for maximum efficiency. Games can be distributed in many ways beyond the Windows Store, too; that means open distribution in any store and via any deployment mechanism.

UWP benefits consumers by giving them more games and apps across more devices and screens. Developers have the freedom to reach a massive audience on numerous devices, united by a single development platform.

Spencer revealed that Microsoft will be enabling the ability to disable v-sync and will be adding support for G-Sync and Freesync monitors in the coming months. Multiple GPUs are supported today by DirectX 12 on both Win32 and UWP, and Microsoft plans to make it easier for developers to add multi-GPU support to their games, in addition to ensuring that performance of full screen games is met and
add support for overlays, modding, and more.

Spencer was joined onstage by Ashley Speicher, Software Engineering Lead, Xbox, who introduced Xbox Dev Mode, which will help developers create apps or games for Xbox One. Speicher revealed that, by unlocking Xbox Dev Mode on a retail Xbox One, Microsoft is giving developers the ability to build and experiment with UWP to test their apps and games in a living room scenario.

Starting today, Xbox Dev Mode is available in a preview environment. Speicher noted that because this is a preview, it’s recommended that only experienced developers engage with Dev Mode at this time. Developers ready to test out the preview can find the Xbox Dev Mode Activation app in the Xbox Store.

Beginning with the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer, the Xbox Store comes together with the Windows Store. Microsoft will offer a unified store across devices.

The Anniversary Update will also bring Cortana to Xbox One, and will set the foundation for some of the most-requested fan features, like Background Music on Xbox One.

When Cortana arrives on Xbox One with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, gamers can expect the familiar Cortana experience found on other Windows 10 devices. Cortana will get smarter over time to become a personal gaming assistant and help users find new games .