Microsoft has announced it will launch a new program on the Xbox One called Xbox Game Preview.

The Xbox Game Preview program allows gamers buy and play a selection of games that are still in active development. The program allows the Xbox community to get involved in a title's development, and can even shape the final product based on their feedback.

Microsoft acknowledges this kind of program is already popular on PC (*cough* Steam Early Access *cough), but they want to bring it to the Xbox platform in a way that makes sense. Every game in the Xbox Game Preview program has a free trial that allows gamers to play the title, then make an educated decision on whether or not you want to jump in early or wait and see how development progresses.

A select number of games will launch within the year on Xbox Game Preview including The Long Dark, Sheltered, Elite Dangerous, and DayZ. The program will be launching later this afternoon with both The Long Dark and Elite Dangerous available for download on Xbox One.