Universal Windows Apps debuts with Halo: Spartan Assault and Skull of Shogun

Microsoft has officially released its first Universal Windows App. These apps will be available in Windows Phone Store as well as Windows Store.

The apps have been spotted by PC World . Right now there are just two universal apps each costing $4.99. Both the apps are games. One is Microsoft’s mega selling franchise Halo called Halo: Spartan Assault and the other one is Skulls of the Shogun by 17-Bit.

In addition to these, Microsoft has also made technical changes to some of existing games such as Wordament, Hexic, Mahjong, Minesweeper, and Solitaire. These games are now available as Universal Windows Apps . This means one can play these apps across all three Windows platforms.

As of now the universal apps are not available for Xbox One and you will need to buy a Windows version of the Halo universal app. Although the apps will eventually come to the gaming console platform, it is not yet clear when it will happen.

Surprisingly, the Windows Store does not state whether the app is a universal app or not. There is just a notice beneath the “Buy” button which says “Made for Windows Phones and Windows PCs.”

One of the standout features of these universal Windows apps is that no matter on what platform the apps are used, the scores, achievements and rewards are automatically synced with that particular platform. This means the user won’t have to start all over again on each platform.

Universal Widows Apps offer an excellent opportunity for app developers to create apps that can work across all Windows platforms. Also by offering a consolidated price tier for developers ($0.99 to $1.49) Microsoft has ensured that users will be able to afford the apps and also benefit the developers.

One of the great benefits of this price tier is that it will attract and encourage more developers who have been primarily targeting one of the two platforms and also opens up new revenue streams for app makers.