In case you haven’t heard, Microsoft broke new gaming ground today, officially launching the first title specifically designed to be played across a Windows Phone, Windows 8 PC, Surface, and Xbox 360.
Skulls of the Shogun is a multiplayer mash up combining arcade-style fighting with turn-based strategy—plus visuals inspired by 1960s-era Japanese anime thrown in for good measure. (Do I have your attention yet?) The game—the first Microsoft title designed to be paused on one device, and picked up and played on another—works with up to four players on any combination of supported hardware.
Download it from the Windows Phone Store
Download it from the Windows Store
Download it from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace
To really appreciate how cool it is, you’ve got to see it in action. Check out the short video below hosted by one of the game’s creators and a member of the Xbox team showing how it all works.
For a limited time, you can also pick up Skulls at a discount. The Windows 8 version costs $9.99 (normally $14.99), while the Windows Phone version is $4.99 (normally $6.99). The Xbox LIVE edition is available for 1200 Microsoft Points. Also, if you’re curious how developer 17-BIT coded it and what inspired the retro Japan theme, then definitely check out the illuminating Q&A our friends on the Windows Experience Blog published today. Xbox’s Major Nelson, meanwhile, plans to have 17-BIT as guests on his podcast later this week. Watch his blog for details.