A Surprise Update Quietly Makes Ready or Not Much Better on Xbox — And I’m Thrilled

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On July 15, 2025, the game “Ready or Not” made its debut on Xbox, following a remarkable run on PC. This gripping, strategically intense tactical shooter drops you right into the role of SWAT officers, who must handle and defuse potentially hazardous and unforeseeable scenarios.

According to SteamDB’s estimates, roughly 9 million PC players own the game, and it swiftly became the most-played paid game on Xbox, selling over 2 million copies across consoles. However, a significant feature of the game was discreetly taken out in June, just prior to its console launch.

One aspect I particularly appreciate about being in the Xbox community is the convenience offered by Xbox Play Anywhere. As a user of the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC, I can leverage this feature even with a less powerful desktop PC. Xbox Play Anywhere is a standout Xbox function that enables purchasing a game once and playing it across both Xbox and PC platforms. This means saved games, progress, and even unlocked achievements transfer smoothly between devices, making platform transitions effortless.

At first, Ready or Not was supposed to incorporate the Play Anywhere feature, but this option mysteriously vanished before the game’s launch without any announcement. Some players might not be aware that the game was initially intended to offer Play Anywhere, as Xbox advertises it extensively. However, the lack of this feature is often noticed and missed when it’s absent from the game.

On August 7, 2025, it was user “Narrow_Leek2452” who first noticed that Ready or Not incorporated Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. This diligent observer is the one to be credited for identifying the game’s reinstatement of this feature.

Although it’s yet uncertain what led VOID Interactive to initially delete the feature, its reappearance brings joy to both Xbox and PC gamers, as it was absent at the game’s launch.

Why Xbox Play Anywhere matters more than ever

Xbox Play Anywhere ensures seamless cross-progression between PC and Xbox, meaning gamers won’t need to begin anew when switching between platforms. For owners of devices like the ROG Ally or Lenovo’s Legion Go, a high-spec Windows handheld, it’s worth noting that the game performs well, enabling you to carry your Xbox saves conveniently on the go.

In the absence of Play Anywhere, gamers would have to purchase separate versions of the game for each platform they use (console, handheld, or PC). This limits the convenience for those who frequently switch devices.

The main innovation closely aligns with Microsoft’s overall plan to merge the Xbox and computer platforms. This move also prepares the system for smooth functionality across various devices in the future, providing real benefits for users.

The strategies of Xbox and PlayStation are distinctly different as they both venture into various devices, including each other’s platforms at times, but Xbox aims for a more comprehensive approach to the gaming world. On PlayStation, purchasing a game grants access only on its consoles or cloud gaming platforms; if you want the PC version, you would need to buy it separately, and this additional purchase doesn’t offer benefits like trophy support – instead, you’d receive Steam achievements.

A win for those gaming across Xbox and PC

The return of Xbox Play Anywhere by VOID Interactive comes as a pleasant surprise. It’s wonderful to observe more games incorporating this feature, which now seems indispensable for significant Xbox releases – given Microsoft’s focus on handheld gaming with the upcoming Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.

With Play Anywhere, seamlessly transitioning between Xbox and PC gaming is a breeze, a convenience I greatly appreciate when using my ROG Ally. To be honest, I’m much more inclined to purchase an Xbox game once I confirm that it offers this feature.

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2025-08-08 16:10