Microsoft announced that it would begin trials of the gaming library on the Microsoft’s Xbox app for Windows. The new library experience includes Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft, Riot Games, and the Epic Games Store, which are downloaded on a PC from various launchers, such as GOG Galaxy.
Users who experienced this library reported that Microsoft automatically detects installed games and lists them in the library within the Xbox app, along with a suitable thumbnail or icon. Users can also hide games from various PC stores if they prefer not to see them listed in Microsoft’s Xbox app.
The New Experience
The integration of the library experience lists down the games but eliminates Xbox achievements or extra functionality in the games. The consolidated library is associated with Microsoft’s initiative to make the Xbox app on Windows the hub of PC gaming and enhance the Windows user experience.
Users have found that the Xbox full-screen experience settings have appeared on their existing ROG Ally devices. Although the option has been announced, the experience has yet to be launched.
Microsoft announced that the existing devices, such as ROG Ally, will access the full-screen Microsoft’s Xbox experience after a few days, and it seems that the company has already started testing. There could be a bug in the settings as the new ROG Xbox Ally devices are not due, and they may roll out with this new experience.
First Impressions
One may question, ‘How does it work?’ Visit the library page to see all installed games on your PC. However, the new setting is not perfect, as Microsoft’s Xbox app cannot fetch the games that users have recently played. The game remains missing in the list of installed games. It also lagged to detect the game installed from GOG in the list.
To play a game, tap on the title on the sidebar. You can see the game’s tab with three options- ‘play’, ‘see in store’, and ‘manage extensions’. By tapping on the Play option, you can launch the game. So basically, it is a shortcut for PC. The ‘See in Store’ option is based on where you got the game from. It will show ‘see in Steam’ if that is the source of your download. Manage extensions redirects users to the settings page.
Some title icons were missing. It could be due to older versions of the games. But this may not be the right reason. There is no way to remove a title from the recently played list. The installed list also includes games that have already been uninstalled.
It currently has bugs, and we hope that the issues will be resolved soon. It is expected that handheld users, such as those with the ROG Ally, may praise the aggregated gaming library more than casual PC users.
How Can You Get It?
Although the official release is yet to be announced, you can experience this beta currently. For this, you just need to install Microsoft’s Xbox test app. In doing so, first install the Xbox Insider Hub on PC, then join the PC gaming preview in the app, and then update the Xbox app in the Microsoft Store. After completing these steps, you should be able to view your installed PC games in the Xbox app for PC.
It is noteworthy that the Xbox PC app lists almost all the games installed on the PC. However, some of the games may not appear in the Xbox app presently. So, be mindful if you jump in and find some missing games; do not worry.
What is Preventing Steam and Microsoft from Cracking a Game Pass Deal?
The biggest hurdle to PC Game Pass integrated into Steam is the dollar signs implanted over it. The parent company of Steam, Valve, takes a cut of every game sold through its channel, and it is unimaginable that this will be different for new and ongoing game pass subscriptions.
However, can Valve impact the profits of Microsoft? In 2024, it was revealed that Game Pass had 34 million subscribers access to Xbox and PC users. There are several users using it.
Considering Steam, there are over 34 million users online. There is significant crossover in active Steam users and Game Pass subscribers. However, there could be an increase in new members since gamers who avoided Game Pass because of the Xbox app now have other ways. Apart from money, Microsoft may not offer Steam the keys to a successful subscription service since it is making efforts to build its own ecosystem for Microsoft’s Xbox and PC gamers.
In this situation, Microsoft is expected to accelerate the development cycle for the PC Xbox App since there is much that Steam can offer.
On the other hand, it may be that Steam avoids Game Pass on its platform. Even after cutting subscriptions, Valve may miss out on profit from separate game sales. However, any kind of partnership may not benefit both parties, and more significantly, PC gamers in the long term.
Wrapping Up
It is very exciting to see what is coming next. Though not being the biggest PC player, having some forgotten games could be an exceptional experience. Hence, if the Xbox PC app can integrate them in a single spot, then it will help us to remember the past purchases.
Are you also excited to see your installed PC games from Steam and other destinations in Microsoft’s Xbox app? Then, stay with us and share your thoughts with us, so we can continue to update you about this.
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