Xbox App to Support Non-Xbox Games, Bypassing Epic Store
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is expanding Xbox software features on non-Xbox hardware, including the ability to play non-Xbox games directly from the Xbox app.
– Xbox Insiders can now access games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other PC storefronts via the Xbox app, with broader availability expected later this year.
– The ROG Xbox Ally X, a Windows handheld gaming PC with Xbox branding, is set to launch this year and may benefit from these software updates.
– The Xbox app simplifies game access by integrating multiple storefronts but does not support direct installations from platforms like Epic Games Store or Steam.
– The update is particularly useful for handheld gaming PCs, offering a more console-like experience by reducing reliance on separate launchers.
Microsoft is expanding the Xbox app’s functionality to support games from third-party PC storefronts, potentially changing how players access their libraries across platforms. This upcoming feature, currently available to Xbox Insiders, allows users to launch titles from Battle.net and other major PC gaming platforms directly through the Xbox interface, eliminating the need to juggle multiple launchers.
While Steam and the Epic Games Store aren’t explicitly named in the announcement, the mention of “other leading PC storefronts” strongly implies their inclusion. The update won’t let users install games from external platforms but streamlines access by bypassing cumbersome launcher interfaces. For anyone frustrated with the Epic Games Store’s clunky navigation, this could be a welcome quality-of-life improvement.
The move aligns with Microsoft’s broader push toward unifying gaming experiences, particularly for handheld devices like the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X. This Windows-based handheld, featuring Xbox-branded controls and software, aims to blend PC flexibility with console convenience. By centralizing game libraries in the Xbox app, Microsoft could make these hybrid devices more appealing to players who want simplicity without sacrificing access to their existing libraries.
For now, testing the feature requires joining the Xbox Insider Program and enrolling in the PC Gaming preview. General users can expect the update to roll out later this year. Though it won’t replace tools like Heroic for managing Epic Games installations, it offers a smoother way to access frequently played titles without dealing with multiple launchers.
Handheld PC gamers stand to benefit most, as the streamlined interface reduces friction on devices designed for quick, console-like play sessions. Whether this signals deeper integration with third-party stores down the line remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a practical step toward a more unified gaming ecosystem.
(Source: PCGAMER)
