In our continuous quest to enhance the Xbox experience based on user feedback, we’ve rolled out a series of updates this month that span across PC gaming, Xbox apps, consoles, and more. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the new features and improvements:
PC Gaming
Game Bar Compact Mode Now Available for All PC Users
Back in August, we introduced Game Bar Compact Mode to Xbox Insiders, a feature designed for smaller screens and Windows handheld devices. Today, we are thrilled to announce that this mode is now accessible to all PC players using Windows devices.
Game Bar Compact Mode simplifies accessing recently played games, common game launchers, and other utilities. It also allows users to explore and manage widget applications through the Widget Store. Designed for ease of navigation, especially on smaller screens, Compact Mode supports controller navigation, letting users switch between widgets using the left and right bumpers (LB/RB).
A notable addition to this mode is the ability to quit games swiftly. By navigating to the Home widget, selecting the game, and pressing close, you can exit a game without returning to the desktop or using in-game menus. To enable Compact Mode, visit Game Bar Settings, navigate to the General tab, and toggle the Compact Mode option.
We have more enhancements planned for Game Bar, including modernizing its appearance and adding virtual keyboard navigation support. For detailed information about Game Bar Compact Mode, visit the feature overview page on the official Xbox support site.
Enhanced Game Management Options in the Xbox App on PC
As previously announced in August, we are continually improving the game management experience in the Xbox app on PC. These enhancements aim to save you time and storage space when managing your game library.
Firstly, you can now view and install all add-ons related to a game during the installation process. This comprehensive view eliminates the need to navigate through different sections of the app to find and install game add-ons or bundled content.
Secondly, managing your game content has become more straightforward. If you have additional content or add-ons for a game, they will be displayed in one consolidated view. To access this, right-click on any installed game in your library or from the left navigation panel, then click “Manage” and go to the “Add-ons” section.
Xbox App on Mobile
The Xbox App on Mobile Integrates Xbox Game Pass Features
The Xbox app on mobile is your gateway to staying connected with your games and the gaming community from your phone or tablet. Starting this week, we are streamlining the mobile app by integrating features from the separate Xbox Game Pass app into the Xbox app. These updates will be initially available to Xbox beta members on mobile and will roll out to everyone soon. Consequently, new downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app will no longer be supported beginning in November.
Key features such as browsing the Game Pass catalog, managing memberships, and receiving alerts for new games will now be available within the Xbox app. Game Pass Ultimate members can enjoy additional perks, including viewing and claiming member benefits and streaming select games through Xbox Cloud Gaming on supported browsers at xbox.com/play.
The Xbox app continues to offer features you love, such as staying connected with friends, receiving game updates and notifications, using party chat for voice or video calls, sharing game clips and screenshots, checking achievements, and remotely installing games on your console.
To ensure you have the latest features, keep the Xbox app on mobile updated.
Xbox Consoles
Pre-download Your Games and Play Immediately Upon Update Release
One of the latest features for Xbox consoles is the ability to pre-download game updates and start playing as soon as the update goes live. This means no more waiting for updates to download after they’re released. To use this feature, go to My Games & Apps > Manage > Updates, where you will see all available pre-downloads. Currently, games like Sea of Thieves, Minecraft, and Cassette Beasts support this feature, with more titles expected to join soon.
New Wish List Notifications for Free Play Days and More
Your wish list just got a lot more useful. With the new update, you will receive notifications when games on your wish list are released, added to the Game Pass library, or available for Free Play Days. This ensures you never miss out on the games you’re most excited about. You can enable or disable these notifications through your wish list settings.
Help Shape the Future of Xbox
Keep an eye on Xbox Wire for future updates and the latest Xbox news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.
We value the input from our community, whether it’s suggestions for new features or feedback on existing ones. Your insights help us improve Xbox experiences for players worldwide. If you want to contribute to the future of Xbox and gain early access to new features, consider joining the Xbox Insider Program. You can sign up by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.
For more details, visit the Xbox Insider Program page on the official Xbox support site.
By integrating these updates, we aim to enhance your gaming experience across different platforms, making it more seamless and enjoyable. Stay connected, stay updated, and keep gaming!
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