Microsoft is overhauling the Xbox PC app and refreshing Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web, smart TVs and VR headsets, with the company saying the new app launches up to 60 percent faster than before.
The overhaul follows the launch of Microsoft's Xbox Ally handheld devices last year, which made clear the Xbox PC app still needed work to feel like an Xbox console experience on Windows. Microsoft has simplified the app so it no longer feels like mouse navigation when used with a controller, with what appears to be a mix of native and web elements.
Jason Beaumont, VP of Xbox experiences, said the app now launches "up to 60 percent faster" than before, with pages like Home, Store and Game Pass loading "up to 50 percent faster" and in-app windows opening "up to 65 percent faster."
Navigation has been simplified for controller use, the library section has updated filters and better ways to organize installed games, and friends are now listed on the main page with quick buttons to start a chat or join a party. The game card UI, home and settings sections have been refreshed, and the animations updated to feel more like an Xbox dashboard experience.
Tom Warren, writing for The Verge, used the new app for several weeks and said it is noticeably faster on a variety of devices he owns, much easier to navigate with a controller, and that the search interface no longer tries to pop up when moving between sections. He said the redesign makes the Game Bar interface on handhelds feel a little out of place, and that he understands Microsoft is looking to improve that in the coming months.
The new UI is also coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming. The refreshed web version has a similar look and feel to the PC app, with a new library tab highlighting cloud games across a player's own library and Game Pass, a desktop mode for larger displays, and dark and light modes plus five new high-contrast options for accessibility. Similar but customized designs will be available on smart TVs and VR headsets soon.
Beaumont said the updates are part of work to make Xbox "faster, simpler, and more familiar wherever you play." "Playing on a PC, TV, or VR headset is different, and each experience needs to work well for the screen you're using," he said. "Wherever you play, the basics should feel familiar: finding your games, knowing what you can play, and getting into a game quickly."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The redesign targets the Xbox PC app's weaknesses on Windows, which became more visible after Microsoft launched its Xbox Ally handhelds last year.
- The same design language is being extended across PC, web, smart TVs and VR headsets, advancing Microsoft's push to make the Xbox experience consistent wherever people play.
- New accessibility options in cloud gaming include five high-contrast modes.
Background
Microsoft launched the Xbox Ally handheld devices last year, throwing a spotlight on how the Xbox PC app felt when used on a handheld. The company has now simplified the app's design and is rolling the refreshed interface out across its cloud gaming surfaces, customized for each screen type.
Key Perspectives
Jason Beaumont, VP of Xbox experiences at Microsoft: says the app now launches "up to 60 percent faster," with pages like Home, Store and Game Pass loading "up to 50 percent faster" and in-app windows opening "up to 65 percent faster," and describes the changes as part of work to make Xbox "faster, simpler, and more familiar wherever you play."
Tom Warren, The Verge: tested the new app for several weeks and reports it is noticeably faster on a variety of devices and much easier to navigate with a controller, but says the redesign makes the Game Bar interface on handhelds feel out of place; he understands Microsoft is looking to improve that in the coming months.
What to Watch
- The rollout of the refreshed Xbox Cloud Gaming interface to web players over the next few weeks.
- The arrival of similar, customized designs on smart TVs and VR headsets.
- Whether Microsoft delivers the Game Bar design updates for handhelds that Warren says are planned for the coming months.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMicrosoft is overhauling the Xbox PC app and refreshing the cloud gaming design.The Verge: “Microsoft is unveiling a new Xbox PC app that launches “up to 60 percent faster” than before, with an overhauled design to match new updates to Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web and smart TVs.”
- SupportedXbox Insiders can test the updated PC app today.The Verge: “Xbox Insiders will be able to start testing the updated Xbox PC app today”
- SupportedThe updated Xbox Cloud Gaming interface will begin rolling out over the next few weeks.The Verge: “the updated Xbox Cloud Gaming interface will start rolling out over the next few weeks.”
- SupportedMicrosoft says the new app launches up to 60 percent faster than before.The Verge: ““The app now launches up to 60 percent faster,” says Jason Beaumont, VP of Xbox experiences.”
- SupportedThe Xbox Ally launched last year, and its launch made clear that the PC app needed work to feel like an Xbox console experience on Windows.The Verge: “Ever since Microsoft launched its Xbox Ally handheld devices last year, it was clear the Xbox PC app still needed a lot of work to feel more like an Xbox console experience on Windows.”
- SupportedPages like Home, Store and Game Pass load up to 50 percent faster.The Verge: ““Pages like Home, Store, and Game Pass load up to 50 percent faster, and in-app windows open up to 65 percent faster.””
- SupportedIn-app windows open up to 65 percent faster.The Verge: ““Pages like Home, Store, and Game Pass load up to 50 percent faster, and in-app windows open up to 65 percent faster.””
- Not in the sourcesThe first-person reviewer who tested the app and described its performance and navigation was Tom Warren.The Verge: “I’ve been using this new Xbox PC app for the past few weeks, and it’s noticeably faster on a variety of devices I own.”
- SupportedJason Beaumont said the updates are part of work to make Xbox “faster, simpler, and more familiar wherever you play.”The Verge: ““These changes are part of our work to make Xbox faster, simpler, and more familiar wherever you play.””
- SupportedJason Beaumont said: “Playing on a PC, TV, or VR headset is different, and each experience needs to work well for the screen you're using.”The Verge: ““Playing on a PC, TV, or VR headset is different, and each experience needs to work well for the screen you’re using,” says Beaumont.”
- SupportedJason Beaumont said: “Wherever you play, the basics should feel familiar: finding your games, knowing what you can play, and getting into a game quickly.”The Verge: ““Wherever you play, the basics should feel familiar: finding your games, knowing what you can play, and getting into a game quickly.””
