Microsoft has confirmed a widespread Xbox Network outage affecting users’ ability to access core online services. The disruption matters because it can prevent players from signing in, viewing their game libraries and launching games, highlighting how service failures can restrict access to digitally purchased content.

The affected areas are account and profile services, the store and subscriptions, games and gaming, and apps and mobile. Microsoft said it had identified the problems and its engineers were working on mitigation, but gave no timetable for a fix; reports included disconnections and games missing from the storefront.