Microsoft is significantly enhancing the Xbox app on Windows, aiming to establish it as the central hub for PC gaming, regardless of a game’s inclusion in PC Game Pass. This initiative addresses a long-standing issue where the app lacked comprehensive access to the full breadth of PC games, particularly those with Xbox Play Anywhere functionality. This update represents a crucial step towards a more unified and streamlined gaming experience on Windows, bringing the app closer to its console counterpart in terms of functionality and game discovery.
The most notable enhancement is the addition of nearly 400 new PC games to the Xbox app. Previously undiscoverable or unavailable for purchase within the app, these titles broaden the selection significantly, encompassing games from renowned Japanese studios like Kemco and Kairosoft, as well as highly anticipated releases such as The Invincible by Double 11. This expansion not only increases the variety of games available but also integrates titles that support Xbox Play Anywhere, a feature that allows players who purchase a game on Xbox consoles to also access and play the PC version without additional cost. This cross-platform accessibility enhances the value proposition for gamers invested in the Xbox ecosystem.
The inclusion of Xbox Play Anywhere titles addresses a significant gap in the previous iteration of the Xbox app. Many games supporting this feature were inexplicably absent, forcing users to navigate the Microsoft Store separately. This fragmentation disrupted the user experience and made it difficult to locate and access games that were rightfully part of the Xbox ecosystem. The update rectifies this issue, consolidating these titles within the Xbox app and streamlining the process of discovering and playing them. This responsiveness to community feedback, particularly from groups like XboxEra who meticulously documented the missing titles, demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing user experience and addressing community concerns.
Beyond the simple addition of titles, this update signifies a larger strategic shift in Microsoft’s approach to PC gaming. The company is actively working to integrate a wider range of PC games into the Xbox app, even those not currently available through the Microsoft Store. This could potentially pave the way for future integration with other major PC gaming platforms like Steam, the Epic Games Store, and itch.io. Such a move would be transformative, transforming the Xbox app from a platform-specific storefront into a comprehensive PC gaming portal, offering unprecedented convenience and centralized access to a vast library of games across various platforms. While Microsoft remains tight-lipped about the specifics of these future plans, they have indicated that more details will be revealed at the Game Developers Conference in March, fueling anticipation within the gaming community.
Accompanying the expanded game library is a redesigned home UI for the Xbox app on Windows. This revamped interface echoes the familiar user experience of the Xbox console, featuring prominent sections for featured content from PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store, along with curated collections of deals and discounts. A particularly useful addition is the “jump back in” section, mirroring the console’s functionality and allowing players to quickly resume recently played games. This consistency across platforms creates a more seamless and intuitive gaming experience, regardless of whether the player is on a PC or console.
The overarching goal of these updates is to create a unified and intuitive gaming experience centered around the Xbox app. By consolidating access to a broader range of PC games, including those with Xbox Play Anywhere support and potentially even titles from other platforms, Microsoft aims to position the Xbox app as the primary destination for PC gamers. This ambition extends beyond simply providing access to games; it represents a concerted effort to foster a cohesive ecosystem that transcends platform boundaries and simplifies the process of discovering, purchasing, and playing games on Windows. The integration of familiar console features, like the “jump back in” section, further reinforces this vision of a unified gaming ecosystem, blurring the lines between console and PC gaming and offering a more consistent and user-friendly experience across both platforms. The future direction of the Xbox app, and its potential to become a true cross-platform gaming hub, hinges on the announcements expected in March, making it a highly anticipated development in the PC gaming landscape.
