- Microsoft’s Xbox app for Windows just got one of its biggest-ever updates.
- The update adds roughly 400 games to it that weren’t available on it before.
- Additionally, it brings a new Home menu that was tested earlier this year.
As a seasoned PC gamer who has witnessed the evolution of gaming platforms over the years, I must admit that Microsoft’s latest update for its Xbox app feels like a breath of fresh air. With a staggering addition of 400 games to the roster, it seems like they’re making a genuine effort to bring the best of both worlds – console and PC gaming – onto one platform. The new Home menu is particularly exciting, as I’ve been yearning for such a feature since… well, forever!
Today, Microsoft’s Xbox app for Windows PC is receiving one of its biggest updates yet, featuring the addition of over 400 PC games to the platform. Furthermore, an official Home menu screen is being introduced, designed to streamline user access to various helpful options and tabs. Chris Charla, general manager of content curation and programs at Xbox, announced these changes in a blog post on Wednesday morning, detailing some of the new game titles available and outlining the improvements users can anticipate from the revamped Home menu.
Microsoft is planning to add these 400 games to the Xbox app as part of their initiative to include all PC games with Xbox features within the app. They mention that while some people primarily use the app for playing titles available on Xbox Game Pass, it can also be a useful resource for discovering exciting Xbox games not included in the Game Pass collection. These aren’t new games; instead, they are titles that weren’t previously accessible for purchase or play on the app. This release wave includes several games such as numerous games from mobile game developers Kemco and Kairosoft, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove from Yacht Club Games, the Jackbox Party Pack multiplayer party game, and The Invincible, a 2023 sci-fi adventure/walking simulator by Stalwart Industries and 11 bit studios.
Significantly, more than 100 enhancements in this app are compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere – a service that enables seamless progress transfer between Xbox consoles and computers, provided you’re logged into both using the same Microsoft account. Cross-play functionality is available for many games, and it can potentially be implemented across other platforms, subject to the developer’s decision.
The significantly expanded Home menu on the Xbox PC app is one of the biggest features added so far, and it’s something I’ve been eagerly anticipating for years. From the Home screen, you can view the latest major game releases (such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle at present), special events, new games added to the Xbox Game Pass library, and tailored deals suggested based on your past searches and preferred games. For users of gaming handhelds like the ROG Ally X, the menu includes a “Resume playing” feature in Compact Mode that allows you to quickly return to a recently played game by simply selecting its icon.
Microsoft debuted the Home menu towards the end of October, initially limiting its access to Xbox Insiders for testing purposes. However, now, this feature is accessible to all users of the app.
“We’ve been super excited to see how player support and engagement for the Xbox app on Windows PC has grown over the past year,” wrote Charla. “Today, we’re sharing that the new Home experience we’ve been testing with Xbox Insiders is now available in the Xbox app on Windows PC for all players, making it faster and easier for them to find their favorite games and discover great new titles to play.”
The blog post ended by Microsoft confirming their dedication to further enhancing and extending the Xbox app on Windows. Their goal is to experiment with a range of new features over the coming months. In December, they plan to trial adding Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, along with other casual games, to the software.
In essence, it’s pleasing to observe Microsoft’s ongoing improvements and additions to the Xbox PC application, but there’s still a significant journey ahead before it can truly challenge established PC gaming platforms. The app currently carries a contentious image due to its slowness and frequent bugs, as evidenced by recent incidents where Windows Central team members were unable to play games because of installation issues. Until Microsoft resolves such fundamental problems, I believe most users will primarily utilize the app for downloading Xbox Game Pass titles on PC.
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed some fantastic enhancements in this software! From refining the interface, adding new game search filters, squashing bugs, and boosting performance, the user experience has been significantly improved. Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to this app is a promising sign for its future.
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2024-12-11 23:09