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Xbox aggregated game library coming to PC with hints of Steam support
Xbox aggregated game library coming to PC with hints of Steam support

Metro

time4 days ago

  • Metro

Xbox aggregated game library coming to PC with hints of Steam support

A new Xbox feature announced for the upcoming Asus handheld devices will go live on PC this week for Xbox insiders. When Microsoft formally unveiled its new Xbox handheld devices – the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X – one of the new features it promised was an aggregated library that will provide 'quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts.' In other words, if you own games at storefronts like Steam or the Epic Games Store, you'll no longer need to open them up seperately to access those games. Instead, they'll be accessed from a single launcher, along with your Xbox games. At the time, Microsoft only mentioned that this aggregated library would be part of the Xbox handhelds once they launch later this year (rumours say that'll be in October), but the feature is now slated to come to the Xbox PC app as well. The feature will launch to the public later this year (no doubt alongside the Xbox handhelds), but members of the Xbox Insider program will be able to test it out on PC starting this week… as long as they have a Windows 11 PC. A blog post by product manager Manisha Oza explains that the feature will be compatible with purchased Xbox games, the Game Pass subscription service, Activision Blizzard's launcher, and 'other leading PC storefronts.' Although it doesn't name any of these other storefronts, they're presumably referring to Steam and the Epic Games Store, and possibly GOG as well. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Even if one or some of these are absent at first, they'll likely be added later since the blog post adds: 'We'll continue rolling out support for additional PC storefronts over time.' The aggregated library is designed for the sake of convenience, especially since compatible games should be added to it automatically. According to the blog post, 'As long as you have game titles installed from supported PC stores, you should see them listed in both My Library as well as the Most Recent section.' It's clearly an effort by Microsoft to convince PC players into using the Xbox app, and staying there. After all, if all your games can be played through the app, then there's no need to use the other storefronts. If successful, this would drive up engagement numbers and become a statistic Microsoft can boast about during its earnings reports with investors. We've seen some confusion if this means Xbox owners can access their entire Xbox library through this feature, but it ultimately only applies to games that are PC compatible. This does apply to most modern Xbox games (which see simultaneous launches on console and PC), but not any older games accessed through Xbox's backwards compatibility feature that only ever launched on console. There was a recent rumour by Xbox insider eXtas1s claiming that Microsoft was planning to address this and partner with the team behind Xbox 360 emulator Xenia to bring retro Xbox games to PC, as well as Game Pass and the cloud gaming feature. More Trending However, another insider, Windows Central's Jez Corden, said 'This particular scenario isn't a thing at the moment,' and the Xenia team has also refuted the rumour in a statement shared to Discord (via PureXbox). 'The Xenia (and Xenia Canary, by extension) team is by no means associated with, nor working alongside Microsoft in any capacity,' it reads. 'Microsoft uses their own emulation to provide backwards compatibility on Xbox One/Series consoles and as such has no reason to collaborate with Xenia, even if they decided to bring these titles to PC.' That said, backwards compatibility is intended to be a thing with the next generation of Xbox consoles. Combined with promises of a platform 'not tied to a single store or device,' it does look like Microsoft's goal is to make it so Xbox owners can access their entire library of new games, PC games, and retro games in one spot. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Xbox next gen handheld cancelled in favour of PC gaming claim sources MORE: Xbox ROG Ally vs. Legion Go and Steam Deck: how do they compare? MORE: Xbox VR headset leaks and its release date is a bit of a shock

The Xbox PC app will soon integrate your various game libraries into one place
The Xbox PC app will soon integrate your various game libraries into one place

Engadget

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Engadget

The Xbox PC app will soon integrate your various game libraries into one place

Microsoft is getting ready to make the Xbox PC app your go-to gaming hub, regardless of where you buy your games. The company has announced that Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview will get early access to a new aggregated gaming library within the Xbox PC app for Windows 11 PCs as well as handheld devices. The new feature is coming to the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X this holiday season. Gamers' libraries are often split across different platforms like Steam, Xbox, Epic Games, and others. With this new update, Windows aims to aggregate your gaming library entirely within the Xbox app, allowing your Game Pass titles, as well as titles from to all be launched from one place. The announcement did not call out any other launchers or libraries by name but made references to more storefronts being supported in the future. 'When a player installs a game from a supported PC storefront, it will automatically appear in 'My library' within the Xbox PC app, as well as the 'Most recent' list of titles in the sidebar—making it easier than ever to jump back into your games,' said Manisha Oza , product manager for Xbox. They added, 'And this is just the beginning. We'll continue rolling out support for additional PC storefronts over time.' Users will be able to curate these combined libraries, while hiding or excluding particular storefronts and including others. The rollout is exclusive to the Xbox Insider Program for now, which is free to join if you're curious to try the new PC Gaming Preview. Microsoft has been making moves recently to bring its gaming services to par with other major players in the space, including a rumored unification of its console, PC, and handheld platforms. With Microsoft having recently announced its ROG Xbox Ally handhelds , it makes sense to strive for a more seamless player experience where all compatible games can be launched from one environment. We have reached out to Microsoft for clarity on what libraries are being included in this new all-in-one launcher model.

Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows
Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows

The Verge

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Verge

Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows

Microsoft is starting to test its new aggregated gaming library in its Xbox PC app on Windows. Xbox Insiders will now be able to see their Steam and games all within the Xbox app — making it a single launcher for most installed PC games. This new consolidated library will roll out to the Xbox app later this year, as well as new devices like the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It's part of Microsoft's efforts to make the Xbox app on Windows the home of PC gaming and compete with Steam and SteamOS by combining Windows and Xbox. 'When a player installs a game from a supported PC storefront, it will automatically appear in 'My library' within the Xbox PC app, as well as the 'Most recent' list of titles in the sidebar — making it easier than ever to jump back into your games,' explains Manisha Oza, product manager of the Xbox platform. Microsoft says support for additional PC storefronts will roll out over time. If you want to try out the new aggregated library in the Xbox app on Windows, you can simply download the Xbox Insider Hub on PC and join the PC gaming preview. You can also manage the visibility of games by hiding any PC storefront in the Library & Extensions section of the Xbox app settings.

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