From Tablets to Laptops to desktops and All-in-Ones, Windows 8 users get a unified experience across all devices and architectures, whether using Touch, Keyboard or Mouse.

Start Screen

The new Start screen delivers a Fast and fluid user experience through Live Tiles in full screen, bringing the user’s focus immediately to your apps.

To add further immersion into your app, Live Tiles allow you to display in-game stats, player progress, achievements, awards and even screenshots from your last session all within your apps Start Screen Tile.

Snap View

Although games and applications run in full screen, users can still access other applications at the same time using Snap View. Snap View gives users the ability to have applications like email, news feeds and messaging clients open alongside your game, or to pause your game completely whilst you expand a snapped application.

The Edge

To give games added functionality whilst avoiding screen clutter, there are two new features to utilise, the App Bar and Charms. The App Bar enables developers to add in game functionality, such as Pausing, altering control schemes, changing background colours etc. to a bar at the top or bottom of the screen which can be activated at any time during a game. Charms appear from the right hand side of the screen and give players access to Share functions, in-game Settings, help and support and privacy policies.

Windows Store

Designed for Discovery, the Windows Store has an unprecedented reach with 200+ markets in 100+ languages. Paired with Transparent terms and Developer controlled pricing with up to 80% Revenue Shares the Windows Store creates a powerful distribution platform for your games.

Opportunity with Windows 8

Over 670 million Windows 7 licenses – all upgradable to Windows 8 - have been sold to date.

Microsoft has also sold 4 million copies of Window 8 in just 3 days, following its launch on October 26^th - to learn more, see this CNET article.