Every Xbox Game Now Comes With Free PlayFab Services

During GDC this week, Xbox introduced Foundation Mode, a new option that gives Xbox creators access to PlayFab's core game services across platforms at no extra cost. Any game that ships on Xbox can use PlayFab for all of its players, no matter where they play, and developers don't need an Azure subscription to get started.

Games with cross-play usually retain players better, make more money, and build bigger communities. The challenge has always been that connecting backend services across multiple platforms can mean complicated onboarding, separate accounts, and a lot of engineering work, and PlayFab is that complete backend platform for live games.

Foundation Mode covers a single unified player account that works across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam, Epic, and mobile. It also supports cross-platform game saves, player profiles, and player statistics. On top of that, it includes social and multiplayer features like friends lists, leaderboards, real-time voice and text chat, lobbies, and matchmaking, and developers can also manage live services, in-game economies, and other backend systems all in one place.

Foundation Mode has entered public preview for new titles planning to launch on the Xbox Store. To enable it, you can request access by following the steps described here. A migration path for existing titles is expected to be available by mid-2026.

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