Xbox PC Store Aggregation Begins for Select Users
The anticipated Xbox PC store aggregation is now in motion, initially rolling out to select members of the Xbox Insider Program on Windows 11. While not universally accessible just yet, some users from the Windows Central team have begun to notice an influx of games from popular platforms such as Battle.net, the Epic Games Store, and Steam within the Xbox PC app.
This selective availability hints at the possibility of A/B testing, a strategy that allows developers to experiment with variations in a live environment, or it may simply be a gradual rollout influenced by individual user factors. As this feature is still in its infancy, users have observed some quirks, including low-resolution artwork for titles like Stellar Blade and Silent Hill 2. Currently, launching these games redirects users to their respective Steam clients, effectively transforming the Xbox app into a launcher for other launchers, all while consolidating access to various titles in one interface.
Interestingly, this setup means that players who own multiple versions of a game across different storefronts will see those titles listed consecutively, raising curiosity about how many iterations of certain games could appear in a single lineup.
This development aligns with Microsoft’s broader commitment to enhancing the gaming experience on Windows 11, particularly through the Xbox PC interface. Such improvements are strategically timed ahead of the anticipated launch of the Xbox Ally handheld partner devices later this year. Early impressions of the Xbox Ally X have been promising, especially in its performance with titles like Gears of War: Reloaded.
