Play Anywhere Explained

Xbox Play Anywhere, formerly Live Anywhere, is an ongoing initiative by Microsoft Gaming to bring the cross-platform Xbox network (formerly Xbox Live^[1]) service to a wide variety of Microsoft platforms and devices, chiefly the Xbox Series X|S, Windows 11, Xbox One, and Windows 10.

Platforms

Platform	Service Name	Launch	Discontinued
Windows 11	Xbox Network	October 5, 2021^[2]
Xbox Series X\|S	Xbox Network	November 10, 2020^[3]
Windows 10	Xbox Network	July 29, 2015
Xbox One	Xbox Live	November 22, 2013
Windows 8 and 8.1	Xbox on Windows	October 26, 2012	Before May 8, 2023^[4]
Windows Phone,10 Mobile	Xbox on Windows Phone	October 21, 2010	Before October 8, 2017^[5]
Zune	Zune Social	September 16, 2008	September 4, 2011
Windows XP, Vista, 7	Games for Windows – Live	May 22, 2007	Before May 8, 2023
Xbox 360	Xbox Live	November 22, 2005	July 29, 2024
Xbox	Xbox Live	November 15, 2001	April 15, 2010

Single identity (Gamertag) across all platforms (tied to a Microsoft Account)
Cross-platform chat, with text, voice, and video
Unified friends list and message system
Single, worldwide currency for purchasing virtual games, music, videos and content (Microsoft Points)
Cross-platform multiplayer online gaming, including game invites

Web site: Boddy . Zachary . 2021-03-22 . Microsoft officially ends 'Xbox Live' brand, changes to 'Xbox network' . 2023-05-08 . Windows Central . en.
Web site: Blog . Windows Experience . 2021-08-31 . Windows 11 available on October 5 . 2023-05-08 . Windows Experience Blog . en-US.
Web site: Xbox . Phil Spencer, Head of . 2020-09-09 . Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X Launch November 10, Starting at $24.99 a Month with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play . 2023-05-08 . Xbox Wire . en-US.
Web site: Xbox Play Anywhere Xbox . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230508224640/https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/xbox-play-anywhere . 2023-05-08 . 2023-05-08 . Xbox.com .
Web site: Goodbye, Windows 10 Mobile . 2023-05-08 . CNET . en.