Xbox Games on Windows 8: More Gaming Goodness from Microsoft & Friends

So I work on the Xbox team at Microsoft. And I focus on the strategy and portfolio of games coming to Windows 8. Today is a good day because I’m finally able to share some of the details with you on this!

Here’s a quick rundown of the news:

• Lots of game companies are involved and excited to bring you awesome games: Microsoft Studios, Rovio, Miniclip, Gameloft, ZeptoLab, Glu Mobile, Halfbrick Studios, and others.
• 40 games were announced today (see list below), some will be available with the launch of Windows 8 on October 26 while others will be coming out regularly throughout the holiday season and beyond.
• Some games you will recognize and others will be new exclusives for Windows 8.
• There is something for everyone, the list below spans lots of genres: action, adventure, arcade, card, platformer, puzzle, strategy, racing, word games, etc.
• All these games will be playable on Windows 8 PCs, laptops, or tablets (so that means they all support touch controls and/or keyboard/mouse controls).
• All these games will have Xbox Achievements and many take advantage of other Xbox features such as leaderboards, multiplayer, connecting with friends, etc.

Lastly, there’s been a bunch of announcements/press on Win8 “hybrid” devices, which are coming out soon. (I think of them as lightweight laptops that turn into tablets when the keyboard is removed.) Personally, I thought I was sold on wanting the Surface as my tablet of choice, but now I’m really interested in first playing with Samsung, Sony, and HP hybrids before making a purchase decision.

Check out the below articles for details and hands-on videos. The hardware looks amazing: lightweight devices, detachable keyboards, long batter life, 1080p screens, and more.

• Sony unveils VAIO Duo 11 slide-out tablet, Tap 20 portable touchscreen all-in-one
• Samsung announces Series 5 and Series 7 Windows 8 tablets with S Pen apps, optional keyboards
• HP unveils Envy x2 laptop / tablet hybrid: 11-inch IPS screen, NFC and pen support, arriving later this year

And without further ado, see below for the list of the 40 announced Xbox games for Windows 8 coming soon (in alphabetical order). For even more game details and screenshots of the Microsoft Studios games specifically, check out playxbla.com.

1. 4 Elements II Special Edition
2. A World of Keflings
3. Adera: Episode 1
4. Adera: Episode 2
5. Adera: Episode 3
6. Angry Birds
7. Angry Birds Space
8. Big Buck Hunter Pro
9. BlazBlue Calamity Trigger
10. Collateral Damage
11. Crash Course GO
12. Cut the Rope
13. Disney Fairies
14. Dragon’s Lair
15. Field & Stream Fishing
16. Fruit Ninja
17. Gravity Guy
18. Gunstringer: Dead Man Running
19. Hydro Thunder Hurricane
20. IloMilo
21. iStunt 2
22. Jetpack Joyride
23. Kinectimals Unleashed
24. Microsoft Mahjong
25. Microsoft Minesweeper
26. Microsoft Solitaire Collection
27. Monster Island
28. PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX
29. Pinball FX 2
30. Reckless Racing Ultimate
31. Rocket Riot 3D
32. Shark Dash
33. Shuffle Party
34. Skulls of the Shogun
35. Taptiles
36. Team Crossword
37. The Harvest HD
38. Toy Soldiers Cold War
39. Wordament
40. Zombies!!!