Microsoft has delivered some good news to those looking forward to multiplayer online gaming on Windows 10 - it doesn't plan to charge gamers for the privilege. Mulitplayer online gaming was one of the key new features Microsoft announced in January's big Windows 10 reveal.
It was widely expected that this would be an extension of the Xbox Live Gold service that Microsoft currently offers to its console owners, which costs around £25 per year if you buy a prepaid voucher, or £40 on Microsoft's auto-renewal system.
However, Microsoft's Larry Hryb, director of programming for the Microsoft gaming network, has confirmed the company has no plans to charge PC or phone users for online gaming, as you can see in the Tweet embedded below, first spotted by The Verge.
@haydencd Not charging. Xbox Live Gold will not be required for online multiplayer gaming using our service on Windows 10 PCs and Phones
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) March 5, 2015
Microsoft announced in January that selected titles will run across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, allowing players on either platform to play co-operatively or against one another online. It's not the first time Microsoft has tried to pull off this stunt. Games for Windows Live allowed players to do the same using Windows Vista PCs and Xbox 360 consoles, but it was marred by technical glitches and never really took off.
However, Microsoft seems much more focused on making it a success this time around. In addition to cross-platform games, the new Xbox app for Windows 10 will also allow users to stream games running on their Xbox One to another Windows 10 device on the same home network. This means that Xbox One owners will still be able to get a gaming session in, even if the television the console is connected to is being used for other purposes.
Microsoft isn't the only company working on home streaming for gamers. Valve's Steam network already allows you to stream from one PC to another on the same network, and the company last week unveiled the Steam Link - a £30 device that can beam games from a PC to the living room television.