Microsoft used to advertise UWP, or the Universal Windows Platform, as the future of Windows apps and games across all Windows devices, but as the platform failed to gain traction among developers and users alike, the company's position began to shift. In recent times, Win32 apps have been brought to Windows Mixed Reality, and games published on the Microsoft Store can also now use the older platform.

On that note, it seems that the Microsoft first-party developer The Coalition will be one of the developers to use that capability, as the upcoming Gears 5 title will be based on Win32, according to a Senior Community Manager for the studio on Twitter (via Windows Central). The game is set to be available for PC on both Steam and the Microsoft Store, as the Redmond giant opens up to other platforms, and it seems that both of them will be based on Win32.

This does make sense, since it makes it easier to develop the game for both platforms at the same time. Nonetheless, this seems to be yet another step in downgrading UWP to an increasingly smaller role, despite the efforts of some developers to keep the platform alive.

Gears 5 is set to launch next month on September 10 on Xbox One and PC, but those subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or those that pre-purchase the Ultimate Edition of the game, can play it earlier on September 6.



Posted: Aug 29, 2019 9:13 am
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: https://www.neowin.net/news/microsofts-gears-5-leaves-uwp-behind-in-favor-of-win32