Key Takeaways
1. Unified Gaming Experience: The Xbox app now integrates games from Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass into a single library.
2. Quick Access and Customization: A new “My Apps” tab allows users to quickly access third-party stores and customize which games appear in their library.
3. Enhanced Cloud Streaming: The cloud streaming feature now supports resolutions up to 1440p, with improved bitrates, enhancing the gaming experience.
4. Cross-Device Play History: Gamers can track their play history across Xbox consoles, PCs, and handheld devices, making it easier to continue progress on different platforms.
5. Gradual Rollout: This update follows prior enhancements and is part of a broader strategy to improve the Xbox gaming experience on PC, leading to a wider release for all users.
Xbox has rolled out a significant update for its Windows PC app, representing the largest change in its strategy for PC gaming so far. This update, which started on Tuesday, turns the Xbox app into a comprehensive gaming hub that unites titles from Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and other key PC marketplaces along with Xbox Game Pass games.
Unified Gaming Experience
This new integrated library automatically identifies games installed from compatible PC stores and showcases them in the Xbox app’s “My Library” section and “Most Recent” list. This means players no longer have to jump between various launchers to access their games.
Quick Access and Customization
The update has also added a new “My Apps” tab, allowing quick access to third-party stores and applications. Users can filter which games they want to see in their library, giving them the ability to turn off certain storefronts that they don’t wish to integrate with their Xbox library.
Enhanced Cloud Streaming
Another exciting feature is the upgraded cloud streaming, which now supports resolutions up to 1440p. This is a big leap from the earlier 1080p limit, with better bitrates hitting up to 27 Mbps for supported games. Currently, this testing phase is restricted to selected users and specific titles, such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Cross-Device Play History
In addition, the update brings cross-device play history, allowing cloud-playable games to show up in play history across Xbox consoles, PCs, and handhelds. This feature, which first appeared for Xbox Insiders in July, makes it easy for gamers to continue their progress when switching between different platforms.
Gradual Rollout
Up until now, the August update provided cross-device play history and enhanced controller navigation, while June introduced the first tests of library aggregation features with Xbox Insiders. These ongoing enhancements led to the wide release on Tuesday for all users.
Upcoming Handheld Devices
This update coincides with Microsoft’s gearing up for the new ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices, where these unified gaming features will first be available as part of a complete Xbox experience tailored for portable gaming.
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