Multi-platform gamers typically have tough decisions to make when a new game comes out: buy it for the console (and which one?) or buy it for the PC. If you have a great system, you're almost assured to have a prettier experience with the latter, but some developers aren't always so great about giving PC players the best experiences—either by limiting support or extra content, or giving them games that just don't work on launch day.
Game developer Remedy is looking to change that up a little bit by borrowing a page from the cinematic world. Preorder the digital version of its upcoming Quantum Break game for the Xbox One, and you'll score yourself a free, full copy of the PC game as well. It's like how you can buy one movie and receive it in a variety of different versions within the same pack: digital, 3D, standard Blu-ray, and DVD
Although PC players won't be able to play against Xbox One players (and vice versa), you will be able to have save games that work across both platforms—easing your transition from your desk chair to your couch. (And it would be a bit lame if you had separate save games for each platform.)
Microsoft's Phil Spencer, head of the company's Xbox division, hopes that this "crossbuy" feature eventually becomes a signature aspect of the Xbox One.
@Nahkapukki @MSFTY @Nicodemus9 @DCNationSlade We'll make it a platform feature. We think it's good for gamers.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 11, 2016
That said, not all are taking the news very well—surprising, since people are getting what amounts to a free game. As one Twitter user put it, "you're punishing Xbox owners. We pay to play online, they don't. And now get all the same games. It's not right."
In other words, some argue that part the point of paying an annual subscription fee for Xbox Live is the ability to have some games as console exclusives. In this case, apparently Quantum Break was one of the titles on @The_CrapGamer's list.
"We buy Xbox hardware for exclusives, these are going to PC now. PC also plays online for free, we have to pay $60 a year," said Twitter user clarified.
It's interesting that Remedy's deal is only valid for preorders of the title. That makes us think that the move might become just another way to entice gamers to put down for games before they're released—which you shouldn't do—instead of a new approach for the Xbox One platform. One can hope, but we suspect most developers would rather have an extra sale than amazing cross-platform synchronization.
This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.