Xbox One Introduces Gifting

Microsoft is working to break into a concept that has otherwise only thrived on Steam: Gifting. The idea of gifting games and subscriptions to others on Xbox Live has been a common request for a long time, and now Microsoft will be implementing this function on the Xbox One, just in time for Christmas.

Xbox One games, DLC, and Subscriptions like Xbox Live can be purchased for another user via the Microsoft Store. Major Nelson, Director of Programming for Xbox Live, posted a video on Twitter showing how the new feature works. When viewing the item, select the "Buy as Gift" option, enter the recipient's email address, and they will receive a digital download code for the gift item.

On launch, there will be a few limitations. Only "select" games and DLC will have this functionality. The Microsoft gift terms and conditions page also state that you can only gift and redeem items in the same country/region.

While it still needs some refinement, this is a great step forward. Steam has had this for ages. The Wii had a similar feature. Now all that is left for Sony to integrate a gifting function.