Here’s some news, in case you care. Microsoft’s fiddling around with the Xbox app on PC, trying out this idea of lumping all your games—yeah, even from other places—into one big library. So, imagine opening your Xbox app and, bam, all your games are there, from Battle.net, EA, Riot or whatever. Well, almost all. Just what they support for now, really. Battle.net’s the only big player they’ve added, since EA and Riot are kinda already there because of Game Pass. But hey, who knows? Steam and Epic might join the party soon. Fingers crossed, or whatever.
The concept’s rolling out to insiders this week, but only showing its face on the ROG Xbox Ally. Not exactly the full enchilada yet, but Microsoft likes to take its sweet time. Why they didn’t say when everybody else can get it is beyond me, but let’s hope around holiday season. That’s when the ROG Ally gets the love, and maybe the rest of us too—or so they say.
Now, I wonder if they’ll really manage to snag the big fish like Steam someday. If they pull off that magic trick, PC gamers could get close to the console experience. Everything just there. Poof! In one place. Sure, GoG Galaxy kind of does this now, but with Xbox integration into Windows 11, the Xbox app might just win that popularity contest.
Let’s face it, Microsoft’s been on this service-based journey for Xbox, away from just being about consoles. Game Pass kicked that off, blending Xbox with PC. Now, add in Xbox handhelds—but wait, they’re not even Microsoft-made. Just some third-party gizmos strutting around with an Xbox badge. Microsoft’s more into tweaking Windows 11 for these new toys rather than making their own handhelds. Not exactly what you’d expect, but hey, it’s their rodeo.
Anyway—wait, there I go—watch this space, or don’t. Microsoft’s lead on this is like a toddler on a sugar high, unpredictable. But maybe, just maybe, by the end of 2026, it’ll smooth out. Though, knowing them, anything’s possible. Who knows, right?
