In an effort to become the go-to gaming app on PC, Microsoft is retooling the Xbox app to support games from third-party launchers.
It’s launching in beta this week with support for Steam and Battle.Net. If you are an Xbox Insider, you can download the testing version of the software soon. This should make playing even more games on Xbox-specific PC handheld devices a lot easier — such as the upcoming Xbox Ally.
Most PC gamers I know are beholden to Steam, so it will be hard to get them to switch, especially since you can backdoor games from other launchers into Steam already. That said, I have games on my computer across every major launcher, so if Xbox’s implementation works well, it might be something I’d use.
The Xbox press release mentions that when you download new games on a supported platform (Steam, Battle.Net), they’ll automatically appear in the Xbox app. Steam doesn’t do that, but other launchers like GOG are similar. More PC storefronts will be added over time. I’m hoping Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games are added next.
If you want to give this new software a test, you can search for the Xbox Insider Hub in the Microsoft Store to get early access to the features.
Ultimately, I’d love for Microsoft to follow SteamOS and create an alternative to Windows that I can run on my PC and control from my couch with a controller. As a PC-in-the-living-room gamer, having to navigate all the hurdles of Windows on a TV is a little annoying, and I wish it were easier to pick up a controller and jump into a game.
Source: Xbox
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