Latest news with #XboxInsider
Engadget
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Xbox's 'Stream your own game' feature now extends to PC
Xbox's "Stream your own game" feature continues to expand. You can now use your PC to play supported games you own on Xbox. (The games stream from the cloud, not your console.) You'll need to be an Xbox Insider and Game Pass Ultimate subscriber to use it. The PC launch follows the feature's arrival earlier this year on other devices. Already supported were Xbox consoles, TVs, browser-based devices (including mobile) and Meta Quest headsets. The idea is the latest chapter in Microsoft's mission to make Xbox software more device-agnostic. Hop on whatever device is available, and start playing without waiting for installations. That makes sense from a business perspective, given Sony's commanding lead in their two-way console race. It's increasingly more about selling Game Pass subscriptions than fighting a losing hardware battle. Microsoft lists over 250 supported games. Standouts include Baldur's Gate 3 , Star Wars Outlaws , Cyberpunk 2077 , Hogwarts Legacy , Balatro and a whole mess of Assassin's Creed entries. Microsoft says it will add more over time. The company says the collection includes some console-only titles. But you'll be hard-pressed to find many that aren't already available (natively) on PC. On the other hand, this method could free up storage and save you the hassle of downloading them. There are some caveats. You'll need to own digital copies of those you want to stream to your PC. (Physical copies won't cut it.) The feature is only available in the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported. You'll also need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which costs $20 per month. If you're interested, you'll first need to sign up for the Xbox Insider program, which is free.
CNET
23-06-2025
- CNET
Xbox App For PC Now Integrates Your Steam Games
The Xbox App on PC is now integrating purchased titles from people's gaming libraries across various supported storefronts, including Steam, Microsoft said in a press release on Monday. This feature is currently limited to those in the Xbox Insider program, which gives early access to software updates. Windows users can get access to the Xbox Insider Hub here. The update aggregates all titles across supported PC gaming storefronts to turn the Xbox App into a universal launcher. This is especially handy for users who buy games on Steam, and other storefronts. Microsoft didn't provide a full list of which storefronts are currently supported. A representative for Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Xbox as universal gaming hub The push for Xbox to become a universal gaming hub rather than a distinct separate environment comes as Microsoft hasn't been able to gain ground against PlayStation and Nintendo. As of September 2024, the Sony PlayStation 5 has sold 61.7 million units versus Xbox' 28.3 million, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal citing Aldora Intelligence. To chart the future of Xbox, Microsoft seems to be taking a more egalitarian approach. Last week, Microsoft said that it's actively developing its next generation gaming ecosystem, which will encompass console, handheld, PC and Cloud. This falls in line with Xbox' recent marketing strategy of calling every screen you own an Xbox. Rumors are even pointing to an Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S headset. Xbox president Sarah Bond said that the Xbox division is working closely with the Windows team to ensure that "Windows is the number-one platform for gaming." This implies that the next Xbox might resemble something closer to a gaming PC. A vision of this experience was shown at the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this month with the reveal of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft's AI Coach for Gamers Is Starting Tests Next Month
Xbox players will soon be getting an optional AI-powered gaming assistant to help them with game recommendations or to improve their skills, Microsoft revealed on the Official Xbox Podcast on Thursday. Announced last year, Copilot for Gaming is powered by Microsoft's AI assistant and is meant to help players save time and better experience games. This can include lessening the headache when downloading and updating titles or giving hints as to side quests they might miss out on. Copilot for Gaming will first hit mobile in April, and those interested can sign up for early access via the Xbox Insider program. It'll initially act as a second-screen companion via the Xbox mobile app. "It has to be personalized to you the way that you like to play and it should be able to help you get further in gaming, be your companion, and help connect you with families and communities," said Fatima Kardar, Xbox corporate vice president of Gaming AI on the podcast. For Kardar, who is fairly new to gaming, Copilot helps her with game recommendations, which is handy for someone not tuned into the latest releases. Jason Ronald, vice president of next generation at Xbox, added that Copilot can recommend the types of cars to drive in a racing game that better fits his play style, for example. In a demo shown during the podcast, Copilot assisted in Overwatch 2 by recommending which heroes to pick to counter others. Kardar notes that gaming is the only form of media that can leave people stuck. This is where Copilot can help gamers get through games. At the same time, she doesn't want Copilot for Gaming to be intrusive, meaning the AI will adapt itself to be personalized for how a player likes to play. Microsoft deferred to its blog post when asked for comment. The upcoming test is happening as Microsoft continues going all-in on AI. With the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, Microsoft made a multibillion-dollar deal with OpenAI. That deal led to the development of Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant in Windows. We've since seen AI enter all parts of Microsoft's business, from PowerPoint to Azure. However, at the same time, the video game industry has been hit with layoffs throughout the last few years, including ones at Microsoft. Concerns have been raised of AI slowly replacing software developers. Last month, Microsoft revealed Muse, an AI model for gameplay ideation. Some developers are less keen on embracing it, however, suggesting that the technology is more of a cost-cutting measure than something developers are actually asking for. Xbox was careful to say that Copilot for Gaming would leave control to the player and any AI assistance would only be additive. The podcast also detailed that Xbox Play Anywhere, a program that allows gamers to pick up their games on either console or PC, has been expanded to include 1,000 titles. For more on AI in gaming, check out how developers are using the tech or how PlayStation is creating AI-generated characters in games.
