Xbox app now lets Windows Insiders launch games from Steam, Epic, and more

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: Xbox Insiders can now test a new feature that enables launching games from different storefronts directly in the Xbox PC app. The functionality first leaked in March and is slated to roll out alongside the ROG Ally X handhelds later this year, allowing users to start games with a controller and bypass the traditional Windows desktop entirely.

Juggling games across Steam, the Epic Games Store, GOG, the Xbox app, and other clients has long frustrated users. Some launchers, like GOG Galaxy, have tried to solve the problem by syncing accounts across services. However, the only workaround with anything close to broad acceptance is manually adding shortcuts to Steam.

With the new Xbox app feature, newly installed games from supported launchers will automatically appear under "My Library" and "Most Recent." Users can disable this by going to Settings > Library & Extensions and selecting "Hide" for specific storefronts.

Microsoft promises to simplify the process by automatically adding shortcuts to the Xbox app when users install games through supported launchers. The company confirmed Battle.net will be among the first to use the feature, with Steam and the Epic Games Store likely to follow. It's still unclear if or when support will come to other platforms like GOG, the EA app, Ubisoft Connect, or Itch.

Streamlining the process of launching PC games from multiple clients is key to Microsoft's next-generation handheld and console ambitions, aiming to make Steam, Epic, and other storefronts easily accessible on console-like devices. The first step arrives later this year with the release of the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PCs, which seek to fix the user interface issues that have made Windows 11 handhelds feel clunkier than Valve's Linux-powered Steam Deck.

Microsoft's answer to SteamOS – the Xbox full-screen experience – replaces the Windows desktop with a controller-focused menu that accesses games across multiple storefronts. The feature will eventually come to other handheld gaming PCs and will likely reach the next-generation Xbox console, which rumors suggest will run a Windows-based environment.

Those interested can join the Xbox Insider program by installing the Xbox Insider Hub on Xbox or PC. Microsoft also provides support and gathers feedback through the Xbox Insider subreddit. Exact launch dates and pricing for the ROG Xbox Ally devices remain unclear.

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Xbox app now lets Windows Insiders launch games from Steam, Epic, and more

 

[Megalomaniac]

I hate having multiple systems to simply be able to play my games. My EA app goes down and my EA games stop launching. My Origin app went down and my Origin games stopped working. This is extremely annoying. STEAM and XBOX LIVE are reliable by the rest aren't.

 

[winjer]

The last thing I need is to have another launcher, to launch another launcher.
Imagine buying a game from EA of Ubisoft on Steam, then launching the Xbox app, then this launches Steam, then this launches the EA app of Ubisoft connect.
Screw this BS. And Screw Microsoft for trying to screw around with our Steam app.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Nobody wants xbox apps. Nobody wants MS apps. Enough of Redmonds bloat!

 

[Unbounded]

Nobody wants xbox apps. Nobody wants MS apps. Enough of Redmonds bloat!

Well I guess I'm nobody, because I DEFINITELY WANT one full screen Xbox launcher to list and launch all my games on my handheld instead of having to run each individual launcher.

This experience will be closer to what we currently have on the Xbox Console where EA, Ubisoft, etc all run on the same Xbox launcher. I am excited to get a similar experience on the handheld.