The Xbox PC app, designed for accessing Microsoft Store PC games and PC Game Pass, has seen a steady improvement in recent months. However, recent developments suggest that not all is well in this digital landscape. A noticeable shift appears to be occurring as Microsoft begins to unify the back ends of the Xbox One store with that of the Xbox Series X|S consoles. This change became apparent when beta tests for deactivated games, such as Bleeding Edge and various Xbox 360 backward-compatible titles, unexpectedly appeared on my Lenovo Legion Go. The result? An unwelcome influx of unplayable clutter.
While I previously highlighted the advancements made by the Xbox PC app and Xbox Game Bar, one critical issue persists: library management. Users are unable to hide games or track the status of cloud saves during uploads and syncing. Unfortunately, the situation seems to have worsened recently.
So, what’s going on?
With the Xbox Showcase scheduled for Sunday, speculation is rife that Microsoft may announce the ability for all Xbox console games to be playable on PC. However, skepticism lingers, particularly as the section of the Xbox PC app labeled “My PC games” fails to display actual PC titles. Instead, it showcases outdated Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 games—many of which are non-functional—and beta tests that have been dormant for years, some even over a decade.
Clicking on these non-PC Xbox games leads to a frustrating experience, redirecting users to the Xbox console store on the web without any resolution. This situation has understandably left many gamers feeling annoyed.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft is reportedly dedicating significant resources to enhancing Windows 11 PC gaming, with a particular focus on the Xbox PC app. This effort seems to be in anticipation of a potential announcement regarding Project Kennan during the upcoming showcase.
It appears that the current inconsistencies in library management may stem from Microsoft’s efforts to unify its backend systems, aimed at improving the overall experience for developers. However, this transition has created a chaotic environment for Xbox gamers who also utilize devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, or Xbox/PC Game Pass on a daily basis. For those who, like myself, purchased Windows Phone games in the past, the current state of the PC library is particularly bewildering.
While I have reached out to Microsoft for clarification, it’s understandable that their focus may be elsewhere with the Xbox Showcase approaching. This issue has been evolving for some time, first becoming noticeable weeks ago, but it has certainly escalated in recent days.
The question remains: is this merely a benign tidying up of backend systems, or is Microsoft genuinely working towards a unified Xbox and Xbox PC store, creating a seamless digital gaming ecosystem? Only time will reveal the answer.
