Microsoft's video game division chief Phil Spencer told the attendees at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday that the company has efforts underway to launch a set of tools which will facilitate developers in creating cross-platform apps --- that is, apps which can run across Windows 10 PCs and mobile devices, as well as Xbox One consoles.

Spencer said that Microsoft's continued investment in a cross-platform ecosystem essentially underscores an attempt by the company to allow gamers to play games across Windows 10 PC, Xbox console, and Microsoft's smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices running the forthcoming Windows 10 operating system.

The disclosure by Spencer means that for each of Microsoft's major programs, like the company's Xbox Live online service and ID@Xbox program for independent developers, new tools will be launched by the company to enable developers to create 'universal' apps/games which will run across the different devices sold by Microsoft.

According to Spencer, the cross-platform capability of apps/games developed for Windows 10 and Xbox One will allow consumers to easily access the apps/games, irrespective of the device and the purchase platform.

Asserting that Microsoft's objective behind its investment in a cross-platform ecosystem is to "allow people to play games wherever they are;" Spencer said: "We know for developers that it's critically important for you to reach those gamers wherever they are."