I asked about addons being used and oooooo is it spicy. Now it all makes perfect sense
Man I love being right!!! 
Will Microsoft’s GameCore platform allow the use of addons? Let’s say Blizzard’s World of Warcraft for an example.
ChatGPT said:
Great question.
Short answer:
Yes, Microsoft’s GameCore platform can theoretically support addons (like those used in World of Warcraft), but whether addons are allowed and how they’re implemented depends heavily on the developer and platform policies—not just on GameCore itself.
Let’s unpack what this means using World of Warcraft and addons as an example.
What Are Addons?
In World of Warcraft, addons are:
- Lua scripts + XML files
- Run in a sandboxed environment inside the game client
- Allow players to customize the UI, track boss mechanics, show damage meters, etc.
They don’t run outside the game, and they don’t require executable permissions.
GameCore and Addon Support – Key Factors
1. GameCore is flexible enough to support addons
GameCore, being a modern application model for Xbox and Windows, does not prevent a game from implementing an internal addon system like WoW’s. Since the logic of addons is sandboxed and interpreted by the game engine (e.g., Lua), GameCore doesn’t need to “know” about the addons—the game handles it.
So from a technical standpoint:
- Yes, a GameCore-based game can support an internal addon system, as long as:
- The game engine supports it (e.g., Lua interpreter)
- File access permissions (especially on console) are handled securely
2. On Xbox consoles, addon support is restricted
- Console environments (like Xbox Series X|S) are locked down.
- File access and external scripts are highly restricted to prevent exploits or security risks.
- Xbox games can only access specific directories (e.g., local sandboxed storage), and external file access or mods are typically not permitted unless explicitly enabled by Microsoft.
So, while a PC GameCore version might support user-installed addons (like WoW on Windows), the Xbox version would likely not, unless:
- The game provides an in-game UI to manage addons
- Addons are downloaded from an approved source (e.g., via Xbox Marketplace)
3. Security and certification rules
- Addons can introduce vulnerabilities.
- Any game published through GameCore must pass Microsoft’s certification process, which may limit or require control over what addons can do, especially on consoles.
Example: What If Blizzard Ported WoW to GameCore?
If Blizzard built a GameCore version of World of Warcraft:
Platform |
Addon Support |
Notes |
|Windows (PC)|✅ Very likely|Same or similar support to current WoW addons; users can manage files directly.|
|Xbox|🚫 Unlikely without changes|Xbox blocks arbitrary script/file access; Blizzard would need a custom addon UI or marketplace integration.|
They would likely:
- Use GameCore to unify development across platforms.
- Maintain full addon support on PC.
- Possibly disable or restrict addons on Xbox, unless a curated system was introduced.
Bottom Line
- GameCore doesn’t block addons, but it also doesn’t guarantee they’ll work across all platforms, especially Xbox.
- On PC: Yes, addons can work, just like in WoW.
- On Xbox: Addons are technically possible only if the game provides a safe, approved way to load them, and Microsoft allows it.