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, Battle.net, 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 Battle.net 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.
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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.
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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
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