As a seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience under my belt, I find myself embarking on a new adventure: delving into the world of gaming. After years of research and writing about Microsoft and related tech, it seems only fitting to start with Windows 11 and Xbox.
My primary laptop, equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 and an NVIDIA RTX 3060 laptop GPU, serves as my first foray into modern gaming. While it’s more than capable of running the games I enjoy, I find myself hesitant to use a laptop for extended gaming sessions at my desk over a long period of time. Instead, I plan to use this laptop to test gaming on Windows 11 and, if I decide to stick with PC gaming, invest in a dedicated gaming desktop with better cooling (and perhaps a glass side with some RGB lights).
The initial foray into the Microsoft Store was less than ideal, but my experience with Steam has been a breath of fresh air. The ease of installation and use has me questioning whether I should’ve jumped into this gaming business sooner!
As for my preference between PC and Xbox gaming? Well, as a journalist, I’m always open to new experiences and perspectives. So, dear readers, I invite you to share your thoughts on which platform you prefer and why. Are there common pitfalls I should avoid when getting into gaming? Is the Microsoft Store truly awful or was my experience an isolated incident? Your insights will be invaluable as I navigate this exciting new world.
And on a lighter note, I can already imagine myself thinking, “I wonder how this game would look on an OLED gaming monitor,” while my bank account cringes in the corner. Ah, the joys of being a gamer!
As a long-time racing game enthusiast who has spent countless hours behind the virtual wheel, I couldn’t let the opportunity to own Forza Horizon 4 slip away. Despite not having an Xbox or gaming PC at home, I found myself compelled to buy it before it was delisted from all digital storefronts. The fear of missing out on one of the best racing games of the last decade had gripped me, and a massive sale made it an irresistible small investment for the chance to play Forza Horizon 4 in the future. Although it means I’ll have to find a way to access these platforms, I know that the thrill of racing through stunning landscapes and customizing my vehicles will be worth it.
After completing the purchase, I found myself pondering, “What was I thinking? I bought this game for future enjoyment… but why don’t I start playing it right away?” Although my financial situation isn’t luxurious, being in my mid-thirties with a steady job allows me to allocate funds for gaming. It’s not necessary to invest in a 4K OLED ultrawide monitor or a high-end $2000 gaming rig to play games these days.
As a lifelong gamer, I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced gaming across various platforms over the years. From the humble beginnings of my first Atari 2600 to the sleek and powerful consoles of today, I’ve seen the evolution of gaming up close. And with the current market being as diverse as it is, I find myself spoiled for choice when it comes to gaming options.
Microsoft’s Xbox seems to be everywhere these days, but there are also top-notch handheld devices, traditional consoles, and affordable gaming PCs galore. In 2025, I aim to explore different platforms and formats to find out which one suits me best. I’d love to share my journey with all of you and get your insights as well. Whether it’s PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch, I need your help in deciding which one will be my go-to platform for years to come. Let’s embark on this exciting adventure together!
Gaming on Windows 11
Henry Cavill makes a strong case for PC gaming, the case being that Cavill prefers PC gaming.
As a seasoned researcher with over a decade of focus on Microsoft and related technology, I’ve built a wealth of knowledge about Windows 11 and Xbox. My professional life revolves around diving deep into these platforms, writing about my findings regularly, and collaborating with colleagues who are gaming experts on these specific systems. Given this extensive background, it seems only natural for me to leverage this expertise by testing out the capabilities of both Windows 11 and Xbox.
Even though I don’t personally own a dedicated gaming PC, my main laptop is equipped to handle gaming. This laptop boasts an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3060 laptop GPU, which are more than sufficient for the games I prefer. As I currently lack a gaming monitor, I believe that investing in a more potent PC might not significantly enhance my gaming experience.
As a gaming enthusiast, it’s no secret that my laptop has the potential to double as my gaming PC. It handles the games I’ve installed quite smoothly, but when it comes to marathon gaming sessions at my desk, I find myself leaning towards a dedicated desktop setup. With extended use, I worry about heat management and comfort. So, for now, I’m using this laptop for testing gaming on Windows 11. If I decide to continue with PC gaming, I’ll invest in a high-performance gaming desktop, preferably one with superior cooling systems and maybe even a glass side panel with some dazzling RGB accents!
Steam vs Microsoft Store
Initially, since my laptop marked my entry into contemporary gaming, I found myself in a quandary about which online marketplaces to utilize. While it’s possible to use multiple platforms for the best deals and to get various game versions, I prefer not to stretch myself too thin. Ideally, confining my digital game collection to just one or two stores would be optimal.
Initially, since I had purchased Forza Horizon 4, I decided it was time for a spin. This led me to the Microsoft Store, a platform often shrouded in debate. I pondered if its reputation was truly deserved or not. Upon my return to the Microsoft Store after years, my experience with a AAA game wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The download process was painfully slow, the initial installation of Forza Horizon 4 completely failed, and I had to perform numerous clicks to get the game running. Post the first installation failure, I found myself needing to manually install all the DLC content. Interestingly, the initial installation offered a one-click option for both the game and its DLC, but that wasn’t the case during my second attempt.
Following numerous attempts at setup and resets, I finally managed to launch Forza Horizon 4 on my computer. The game operated flawlessly, offering an enjoyable gaming experience, and I found myself deeply engrossed in a LEGO-themed universe, which was a virtual recreation of the United Kingdom.
At present, I’m examining a game controller, therefore, I wished to experiment with the gamepad across numerous games. One timeless favorite of mine is Tales of Vesperia. I’ve previously played it on the Xbox 360, and again on the Xbox One when the Definitive Edition was released. Regrettably, Tales of Vesperia is priced higher on the Microsoft Store compared to Steam, thus my hope for a single store experience has been dashed. However, I can potentially continue utilizing two platforms, the Microsoft Store and Steam, for now.
In my analysis, I picked up Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition for just £6.99 via Steam. Given its status as a pre-existing title, I anticipate it will remain affordably priced for quite some time. My debut purchase on Steam for a genuine PC game was far more satisfactory than my past experiences with the Microsoft Store. Surprisingly, I managed to complete all necessary steps in less time than the installation process for Forza Horizon 4 took through the Microsoft Store.
- Install Steam
- Buy Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
- Install Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
- Find a save file online at the progression point I wanted to hop into
- Install that save file
- Play my new game for several hours
It’s clear that Forza Horizon 4 is a bigger game compared to Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, however, my experience with the installation process on Steam was significantly easier than using the Microsoft Store for similar tasks. I’ll need to try more games, but at this point, Steam seems to be ahead in terms of user-friendliness.
Do you prefer PC or Xbox gaming?
For some time, I intend to continue playing games on my computer, as I find it challenging to decide on a platform based solely on a few games and weeks of experience. However, it’s clear that gaming will be a potential budget concern in the future. Already, I find myself pondering, “I wonder how this game would look on an OLED gaming monitor.” This seems to be a common thought among gamers my age.
Hey there! As a gamer myself, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with various gaming platforms over the years. While I don’t personally own an Xbox, I have friends who do and we’ve played some great games together on their consoles.
If you’re thinking about getting into Xbox gaming, I say go for it! The Xbox Series X and S are both excellent choices, especially when they’re on sale. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money upfront, borrowing an Xbox from a friend could be a smart move. Just make sure to take good care of the console and return it in the same condition you received it, as a sign of good sportsmanship.
As for which gaming platform I prefer, I’ve always been partial to PlayStation. However, Xbox has made some great strides in recent years with its exclusive titles like Halo and Forza Horizon series. The Microsoft Store has improved significantly since my last visit, but I would still recommend doing your research before making any purchases to avoid any potential issues.
Getting into gaming can be a lot of fun, but there are some common pitfalls you should be aware of. One of the biggest is getting carried away with spending money on games and accessories. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new releases, so it’s important to set a budget for yourself and stick to it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that gaming can be addictive, so it’s important to find a healthy balance between gaming and other activities. Make sure to take breaks and prioritize your physical and mental health.
Overall, I think Xbox is a great platform with some fantastic exclusive titles. The Microsoft Store has come a long way, but there are still some things to watch out for when making purchases. With these tips in mind, I hope you have a blast exploring the world of Xbox gaming! Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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2025-01-03 20:40