Why can't I play a game I bought for xbox through the Microsoft Store on PC?

Gabe M_927 · Sep 3, 2022

So,

I bought Fallout 76 when it came out for Xbox, like a lot of games that have come out recently, I stopped playing it, waiting for the new updates that would make the game more enjoyable. Now granted, it has been a while since I've played, but I have some friends that have gotten back into it, so remembering that I had it for Xbox through the Microsoft store, I thought I'd download it on my PC to play with my friends, but for some reason, it's saying I have to buy a whole new game just for the PC. What is so different about the PC version that I need to spend another $55 just to play the same game on my PC AGAIN?! (Skyrim) I just don't understand why I can't download the same game I already have on another platform.

:)

JosefLBohorquez

Hi and thanks for reaching Microsoft Xbox gamer's community. My name is Josef.
I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft Xbox user like you.

Hope you're doing great today despite this Gabe

Fallout 76 is not an Xbox play anywhere title. This means that you need to purchase it on PC if you only own the Xbox version and vice versa.
You can check the title for each platform here:

Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/fallout-76

PC: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/fallout-76---pc/9NKGNMNK3K3Z

You can check more about Xbox play anywhere titles here:
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/xbox-play-anyw...

JosefLBohorquez

The difference is the platform.
There are more games that aren't Xbox play anywhere titles. Isn't a thing only with fallout 76.

As you know porting and programming a game isn't something cheap. Each platform has their own programming language, performance, etc

This decision is made by the developer, doesn't matter if the game is exactly the same on different platforms.

But if you check and try to compare games, the common rule is having a PC version and a Xbox version

Or, to make a summary. If you are not able to see the game in the "Xbox play anywhere" link shared previously. Then you need to purchase the game again in the other platform

Gabe M_927

Fallout 76 is not an Xbox play anywhere title. This means that you need to purchase it on PC if you only own the Xbox version and vice versa.

Okay, but if it isn't, then why bother putting it on the game pass? Like you basically just reworded what I was already asking. If both games are on the Microsoft store, why sell them separately? That's what I don't understand. If you have both on the Microsoft store and one even on the game's pass, why charge people $55 for the exact same game on different consoles when there aren't any huge game-changing differences between the two?

FreakRoach

Only play anywhere games bought from xbox store or microsoft store on PC can be used on both console and pc. Games bought from steam can't.

QuentinClement

I am playing on a pc and I bought it through the Xbox store and it doesn't work on either the Xbox app or the Microsoft store

Why can't I play a game I bought for xbox through the Microsoft Store on PC?