Opening a gaming app should be the easy part of playing a game. You want to find something in your library, see whether your friends are online, and get going without making an evening out of navigating menus.
Microsoft is now promising a faster Xbox app for Windows, with an updated version reaching Xbox Insiders starting today. According to the company, the app launches up to 60 percent faster, while Home, Store, and Game Pass pages load up to 50 percent faster. In-app windows open up to 65 percent faster, too.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft shrinks the Xbox controller and I already bought one
Those numbers come from Microsoft’s own testing, and results will vary depending on hardware, connection, configuration, and other factors. These are improvements to the Xbox app itself, so please do not read that headline and expect your games to suddenly deliver 60 percent more frames per second.
Still, a more responsive launcher would be a welcome improvement. The software standing between you and your games should require as little patience as possible, especially when you only have a short window to play.
Microsoft is also updating the library with simpler navigation, filters, and organization options. Friends and social tools move into the main navigation, while expanded search covers games, installed titles, add-ons, and people.
Those changes could matter as much as the speed improvements. A page that loads quickly is useful, but finding the right page without digging through menus is part of the experience, too.
On the web, the refreshed cloud gaming interface will reach more players over the next few weeks. It adds a library for cloud-playable owned and Game Pass games, a desktop layout that better uses larger screens, and light, dark, and five high-contrast themes.
The accessibility options deserve attention here. People have different visual needs, and being able to choose an interface they can comfortably read should be treated as a basic part of good software design.
Supported TVs and VR headsets are also beginning to receive the refreshed look and navigation. The goal is a more familiar experience across screens, even as the layout needs to suit each device.
For Windows gamers, the real test will be how the updated app feels in everyday use. Microsoft has supplied some encouraging numbers, but the best outcome would be an app that gets out of the way so effectively that you stop thinking about it.
Support independent tech journalism
NERDS.xyz is independently owned and operated. If you enjoy my coverage of Linux, AI, hardware, cybersecurity, and tech culture, consider supporting the site on Ko-fi.
Support NERDS.xyz
