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Xbox Experience

Where Winds Meet is Out Today, With Exclusive XBOX Game Pass Benefits and a New Expansion on the Way
AppWizard
June 10, 2026

Where Winds Meet is Out Today, With Exclusive XBOX Game Pass Benefits and a New Expansion on the Way

Where Winds Meet, a free-to-play Wuxia open-world ARPG, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and cloud platforms. Since its launch last November, the game has attracted over 80 million players and has had two expansions. The game is set in 10th Century China and features six distinct regions for exploration. Players can customize their combat style with various weapons and martial arts skills, and take on roles such as a doctor or assassin. A new expansion, Hidden Mountain, was announced, introducing a mountainous region with new gameplay mechanics. The game supports Smart Delivery and is optimized for Xbox, featuring HDR support and upscaling for better visuals. Xbox Game Pass members can access the game and receive a starter pack of resources from June 7 to July 23.
New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Docking Improvements, Auto SR Preview, Collective Library, Enhanced Vibration, and More
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Docking Improvements, Auto SR Preview, Collective Library, Enhanced Vibration, and More

Six months ago, ASUS and AMD launched the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in 45 countries, combining Xbox capabilities with Windows 11 in a portable format. Player feedback has led to continual updates, optimizing hundreds of games for handheld play and introducing features like Default Game Profiles and expanded Xbox mode. Recent updates include automatic gameplay transition to TV when docked, support for HDR10 and Variable Refresh Rate on certain docks, a Display Widget for adjusting settings via the Game Bar, improved controller pairing, and the Gamepad Cursor feature for non-controller supported applications. Automatic Super Resolution is now in preview for Xbox Insiders on the ROG Xbox Ally X, enhancing visual quality. The Xbox Wireless Headset now supports Bluetooth LE Audio for reduced latency and improved battery life. The Xbox PC app has been revamped to consolidate games from various storefronts into one library. Over 1,000 PC games are now compatible with handheld play, and features like Default Game Profiles and Advanced Shader Delivery have been introduced. Popular games supporting these features include Ninja Gaiden 4, Grounded 2, and others, with more titles expected in the future.
Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11 PCs Today
Winsage
May 1, 2026

Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11 PCs Today

The rollout of Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs begins today in select markets, providing a console-inspired gaming experience for laptops, desktops, and tablets. This mode features a controller-optimized, full-screen interface that allows easy access to games and minimizes distractions. Players in select regions can download Xbox mode today, with plans for broader availability in the coming weeks. Xbox mode enables users to browse and launch games, switch between Xbox mode and the Windows desktop, and access a comprehensive game library, including Xbox Game Pass titles. Feedback from players has influenced the development of Xbox mode, which aims to create a consistent Xbox experience across devices. To access Xbox mode, users must ensure their Windows 11 PC is set to receive the latest updates.
The new 'Xbox mode' for Windows 11 has arrived, but don't get your hopes up for performance improvements: it's just a new UI
Winsage
May 1, 2026

The new ‘Xbox mode’ for Windows 11 has arrived, but don’t get your hopes up for performance improvements: it’s just a new UI

Microsoft has begun rolling out its Xbox mode for Windows 11, which aims to provide a full-screen, dedicated gaming experience similar to console functionality. This feature, announced in March, is now available in select markets as of April 30. Xbox mode is designed to create a cohesive Xbox experience across various devices, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, and caters to gamers who prefer using a controller. The launch is part of Microsoft's strategy to enhance the integration of Xbox with Windows, although some users still find the Xbox experience on PC lacking compared to competitors like Steam.
Microsoft adding Xbox mode to Windows 11
Winsage
March 12, 2026

Microsoft adding Xbox mode to Windows 11

Organizations using consumer-grade PCs or allowing employees to bring their own devices now face concerns due to the introduction of a virtual Xbox within Windows 11, announced by Microsoft. This initiative aims to create a seamless gaming experience across devices, allowing developers to reach a larger audience while reducing development costs. Microsoft has begun merging Xbox and PC experiences with devices like ASUS’s ROG Ally, a handheld PC that can switch between Windows and gaming operations. In April, Xbox mode will roll out to select markets on all Windows 11 PC form factors, offering a controller-optimized interface. However, it may not be included in the Windows Professional edition, which is preferred by businesses. Features may still enter organizations through bring-your-own-device policies or consumer-grade equipment. The announcements are part of "Project Helix," a new gaming platform designed to enhance Xbox console and PC game play, featuring a custom System on Chip from AMD, with alpha versions expected to be shipped to developers by 2027. This timeline may impact revenue opportunities for AMD, as it suggests no new console will be available for the holiday season of 2026.
GDC 2026: Next generation of Xbox designed to play console and PC games
Winsage
March 12, 2026

GDC 2026: Next generation of Xbox designed to play console and PC games

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Xbox, coinciding with the Game Developers Conference. Xbox unveiled insights into its next-generation console, Project Helix, designed to integrate console and PC gaming for a seamless experience. Jason Ronald, vice president of Next Generation at Xbox, highlighted the commitment to cross-device play and a consistent Xbox experience across screens. Additionally, the Xbox mode, which started on ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, will roll out to Windows 11 in April for select markets, allowing users to switch between productivity tasks and gaming with a full-screen interface and controller optimization.
From GDC: Building the Next Generation of Xbox
AppWizard
March 11, 2026

From GDC: Building the Next Generation of Xbox

- The Xbox Developer Summit keynote address was delivered on March 11, 2026, at the Game Developer Conference. - The next-generation Xbox console is named Project Helix, developed in partnership with AMD using FSR Next. - Xbox mode will begin rolling out to Windows in select markets starting in April 2026. - The Xbox Play Anywhere catalog now includes over 1,500 games, allowing seamless access across console and Windows. - There are currently more than 5,000 developers creating for Xbox. - Project Helix is designed to play both Xbox console and PC games and features a custom AMD SoC for enhanced performance. - Alpha versions of Project Helix hardware will be shipped to developers starting in 2027. - Xbox is committed to preserving the playability of games from four generations of Xbox. - Xbox mode will be introduced to Windows 11 in April 2026, allowing a familiar Xbox experience while maintaining Windows flexibility. - Xbox has a lineup of game releases for 2026, including titles from first-party franchises like Halo and Gears of War, as well as independent developers. - Xbox Play Anywhere allows players to transition games across devices, retaining progress and requiring only a single purchase for each game. - The Xbox Play Anywhere initiative has 500 development teams that have released titles under it.
Microsoft's full screen 'Xbox Mode' will roll out to Windows 11 PCs in April
Winsage
March 11, 2026

Microsoft’s full screen ‘Xbox Mode’ will roll out to Windows 11 PCs in April

Microsoft has introduced the full-screen Xbox experience, initially showcased on the ROG Ally Xbox handheld, as a strategic effort to rival Steam's Big Picture Mode. This Xbox interface, now called "Xbox Mode," will expand to all Windows 11 devices, including laptops and desktops, in April. Initially available in select markets, Xbox Mode is designed to enhance user interaction with Windows 11 devices, allowing players to browse their game library, launch games seamlessly, utilize the Game Bar, and switch between applications effortlessly. At the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Microsoft announced plans to distribute Project Helix systems to developers next year, which will run both PC and console games and leverage AMD’s next-generation technology. Additionally, Microsoft introduced the Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) system for developers, aimed at reducing shader stuttering, and upgraded DirectStorage technology to support Zstandard compression for improved game loading times. Developers will also gain insights into integrating next-generation Machine Learning within Microsoft's DirectX gaming API.
Windows 11 version 26H1 plays catch up with new features brought over from version 25H2
Winsage
December 17, 2025

Windows 11 version 26H1 plays catch up with new features brought over from version 25H2

Microsoft has released a preview build of Windows 11, version 28020.1362, for Insiders in the Canary Channel. This build includes several new features: - Expanded Xbox Experience for handheld devices - Revamped context menu for the Click To Do interface - Enhanced search functionality in Windows Settings - New file share drag tray feature - Windows Studio Effects for external webcams - Improved mobile device settings management - Enhancements to dark mode in File Explorer Additionally, Windows 11 version 26H1 will launch on devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2, and the Bromine feature is expected to roll out with version 26H2 in the latter half of next year.
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