Unity And Microsoft Partner Up For Gaming Goals On Xbox One and Windows

It's pretty great when companies in the technology space make a pact to work together, and it's even greater when those two companies are Microsoft and Unity Technologies. If you aren't aware, the latter provides the Unity multi-platform game engine and development tools, and it has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to collaborate on development tools for Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox One. This collaboration will make it even easier for developers to bring popular games, entertainment and apps to Microsoft platforms.


Unveiled this morning during Microsoft's annual Build Conference in San Francisco, Unity will deliver the commercial version for its "Windows Store Add-on", now included in Unity 4.2 Release Candidate 1, with a commitment to ongoing support and innovation for Microsoft platforms. Under agreement with Microsoft, Unity Pro 4 licensed developers will receive a free license for the "Windows Store Add-on" once available this summer, a $1,500 value. The "Windows Store Add-on" includes support for both Windows Store apps and Windows Phone 8 apps.

In addition, Unity will develop tools for the Xbox One entertainment system, including support for many next-generation features such as enhanced Kinect gestures and recognition, multiplayer matchmaking, SmartGlass and the unlimited power of the cloud. Developers who build games published by Microsoft Studios will have access to Unity tools for Xbox 360 and Xbox One free of charge.