Just in time for the season of giving, Microsoft is allowing Xbox One users to gift each other digital games. The feature, which also allows the gifting of subscriptions, was rolled out after a test period, and is accessible via the Microsoft Store on the console or computer.
Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb, director of programming for Xbox Live, showed off how quick and easy the process was in a tweet:
???? ???? Gifting is here ! Gift select Xbox One games & downloadable game content +Xbox Live Gold & Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, right from the Microsoft Store on your Xbox console, on Windows, or online. ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/NACHdO3dY1
— Larry Hryb #XboxOneX (@majornelson) November 14, 2017
Keep in mind that the tweet states that “select Xbox One games” can be gifted. Per Forbes, titles with the “Play Anywhere” feature that sync Xbox One and PC saves cannot be gifted. While downloadable content can be gifted (excluding anything that involves microtransactions, such as loot boxes), the same cannot be said for Xbox 360 or O.G. Xbox games. Only games that have been formally released can be purchased as a gift, so no gifting preorders are allowed. Additionally, this feature appears to be region locked—the video in the tweet shows that the purchase can only be redeemed in the United States. Finally, identical titles that have been discounted can only be gifted up to twice in a two-week period.
Still, the feature puts the Xbox One above its primary competition, the PlayStation 4. Sony’s console has yet to introduce a similar gifting feature. Microsoft’s newest hardware, the Xbox One X, is now available for purchase.