Expanded Xbox App Functionality to Include Launching Non-Xbox Games, Potentially Minimizing the Need for Epic Games Store
Revised Article:
Get ready, gamers, because the ROG Xbox Ally X and the Xbox Meta Quest 3S are on the horizon! Microsoft is taking a bold step forward by enhancing its software on non-Xbox-made hardware, and the most exciting update? The ability to play non-Xbox games directly from the Xbox app—something I can actually see myself using.
Xbox Insiders will soon have the privilege to boot up games from "Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts" straight from the Xbox app, starting as early as this week (though I haven't gotten access yet). Announced via Xbox Wire, this game-changing feature is set to reshape the way we game on non-Xbox hardware.
The upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X, a Windows handheld gaming PC adorned with Xbox-branded flourishes, could be the perfect match for this software shift. With Xbox buttons and software from Microsoft meant to make it feel more like a console, the Xbox Ally X looks poised to give handheld gaming a console-like experience later this year.
The new Xbox App feature seems pretty straightforward: install a game, and voilà—it appears in your library. But, of course, we'll need to get hands-on to truly validate that simplicity.
Steam and the Epic Games Store are, interestingly, not explicitly mentioned in Xbox's announcement, but that's not terribly surprising. Support for 'other leading PC storefronts' would feel somewhat disingenuous without including arguably the top dogs.
It's worth noting that the Xbox App won't allow users to install games from other storefronts. Instead, it acts as a middleman-eliminator, simplifying the process of launching games, especially for those dealing with the clunkiness of the Epic Games Store's interface.
Handheld gaming PCs, designed to provide a console-like experience in a more portable form, could particularly benefit from this update.
The Xbox app may not entirely replace third-party installers like Heroic, but it could serve as a compelling alternative for day-to-day use, ideal for frequently played titles such as Fortnite or Genshin Impact.
To test out this new library function for yourself, it's time to join the Xbox Insider program, sign up for the PC Gaming preview, and patiently wait for your turn. For those who prefer to remain outside the Insider program, normal Xbox app users will likely receive this update later in the year.
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James BentleyAs a relatively recent convert to PC gaming, I've developed a keen eye for the latest graphics cards, cases, and motherboards, often admiring them from afar. After finishing a degree in law and media, I dive headfirst into gaming in 2019, exploring and writing about the latest gadgets, contraptions, and gismos. It's definitely better than writing case briefs!
- With the ROG Xbox Ally X, a handheld gaming PC, set to offer a console-like experience later this year, gamers might consider it as a viable alternative to traditional smartphones for enjoying games like Fortnite or Genshin Impact.
- The new update on the Xbox App, which allows users to launch games from various storefronts, including on non-Xbox hardware, could potentially eliminate the need for third-party installers like Heroic, offering a simpler gaming experience.
- The Xbox app's smart new library function, which appears to streamline the process of installing and launching games, might appeal to users who find the Epic Games Store's interface clunky, making it an attractive option for day-to-day use.
- As more handheld gaming PCs emerge that offer console-like experiences in a portable form, advancements in technology may bring us closer to the day when gamers can play a broader range of games on their gadgets, such as the latest smartphones and cutting-edge gadgets.
