Microsoft’s Xbox app for Windows PC has undergone a significant transformation with one of its most substantial updates to date. The latest enhancement introduces approximately 400 new games, expanding the library for users and enriching their gaming experience.
New Features and Game Additions
This update is not merely about quantity; it also includes a newly designed Home menu, which was previously tested with select users earlier this year. Chris Charla, the general manager of content curation and programs at Xbox, shared the details of this update in a blog post, highlighting both the new titles and the revamped interface.
The addition of these 400 games is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to consolidate all PC games featuring Xbox capabilities within the app. While many users primarily utilize the app for Xbox Game Pass titles, it also serves as a valuable resource for discovering Xbox games that are not included in the subscription service. The newly added games include a variety of genres, featuring beloved titles such as Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, the Jackbox Party Pack, and the recent sci-fi adventure The Invincible.
Moreover, over 100 of the newly integrated games support the Xbox Play Anywhere feature, allowing players to seamlessly transfer their progress between Xbox consoles and PCs, provided they are logged into the same Microsoft account. Cross-play capabilities are also available for many titles, depending on the developers’ preferences.
Enhanced User Experience
The new Home menu represents one of the most significant upgrades to the Xbox app, designed to streamline navigation and enhance user engagement. From this central hub, players can easily access major game releases, special events, updates to the Xbox Game Pass library, and tailored deals based on their gaming habits and preferences. For those using handheld devices like the ROG Ally X, a “Jump back in” feature in Compact Mode allows for quick access to recently played games.
Initially made available to Xbox Insiders for testing, this new Home experience is now accessible to all users of the app. Charla expressed enthusiasm about the growing player engagement with the Xbox app over the past year, emphasizing the commitment to making it easier for users to discover both their favorite games and new titles.
Looking ahead, Microsoft has pledged to continue enhancing the Xbox app for Windows, with plans to test various new features in the coming months. In December, the company aims to introduce casual games like Candy Crush Soda Saga and Angry Birds 2 to further diversify the gaming options available on the platform.
While the updates signify progress, some users still encounter challenges with the app’s performance, which has garnered a mixed reputation for speed and reliability. Recent reports indicated installation issues that prevented gameplay, underscoring the need for ongoing improvements. Nevertheless, the recent updates have introduced interface enhancements, search filters, and performance fixes, making the app more user-friendly than before. Microsoft’s dedication to refining the Xbox app bodes well for its future in the competitive landscape of PC gaming.
