- The Xbox app for PC integrates games from Steam, Battle.net, and other platforms into a single library.
- Available in beta for Xbox Insiders and planned for everyone before the end of the year.
- The feature will also be coming to wearables like the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X.
- Allows you to manage and customize platform visibility from the app settings.
Microsoft has taken a firm step to simplify the PC gaming experience.. After years of having titles spread across Steam, Battle.net, the Microsoft Store and other launchers was the norm, the company is implementing a unified library within the Xbox app for Windows, allowing users to view and access their games from a single interface, regardless of which store they were purchased from.
This function, available in testing phase For those who are part of the Xbox Insider program, Allows you to automatically add games installed from platforms such as Steam and Battle.net. Thus, they appear integrated into the "My Library" and "Most Recent" sections of the Xbox app, facilitating a quick and centralized accessAdditionally, users can choose which stores they want to show or hide, tailoring the experience to their preferences from the settings menu.
According to Manisha Oza, one of the product managers at Xbox, the goal is that Recovering, organizing, and running any installed game is much easier and all from one place. The medium-term intention is extend compatibility to other platforms like the Epic Games Store or GOG, further opening up the range of options available to PC gamers.
Availability on PC and portable devices
Microsoft is working to expand the experience to Windows gaming laptops as well., like the models ROG Ally and future ROG Ally X, where the Xbox app will come pre-installed and the integration will be even more relevant for those who want maximum portability without giving up their favorite games.
This new utility will be generally available to all users during the upcoming holiday season, once the current tests are completedUntil then, anyone interested can access the feature by joining the Xbox Insider Program and downloading the corresponding app on their Windows computer.
Advanced library customization and management
One of the great attractions of this integration is the customization. The app allows you to decide which platforms appear in the library, thus facilitating an orderly experience, whether showing Game Pass, Steam or Battle.net titles together, O well hiding those catalogs that are not used frequently.
Installed titles appear automatically and are organized both by installation order and by recent use. This Eliminates the need to manually manage shortcuts or search through scattered menus of multiple launchers. Additionally, the integration suggests the possibility of expanding functionality in the future, for example, by facilitating shared notification systems, achievements, and save game synchronization.
Competition and the future of game launchers
Microsoft wants to consolidate its position against other solutions like SteamOS and respond to the demands of many gamers, tired of the fragmentation of the PC gaming ecosystem. The company makes it clear that It's not about replacing Steam or other stores, but rather offering a more convenient and flexible way to manage access to the entire collection of titles., whatever its origin.
This strategy seeks Reinforce the commitment to the PC as the nerve center for gaming and anticipates future compatibility with more platforms, promising that the experience will be increasingly integrated and customizable.
The consolidation of libraries, the ease of customizing platform visibility, and the expansion to new devices mark a clear trend in the industry: reducing barriers, integrating services, and making life easier for those who want to access their games without relying on multiple apps. Microsoft seems determined to lead this change in the PC and laptop gaming ecosystem.
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