Microsoft Updates Game Bar and Xbox Cloud Service
Microsoft has rolled out an extensive set of updates for gamers, touching on both the functionality of its gaming services and their visual design. Key innovations include a redesigned Game Bar, improved cloud gaming features, and exclusive bonuses for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
The Windows Game Bar — accessed via the Win+G shortcut — has received a visual overhaul. The “Audio”, “Performance” and “Recording” widgets now sport a more modern look, and navigation through the mini-app store using a controller is smoother, a change particularly appreciated by portable PC owners who use gamepads. According to Microsoft, these updates are aimed at simplifying user interaction, thereby enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The Xbox cloud service has also become more user-friendly thanks to a new quick-switch feature that allows seamless transitions between titles. For instance, in Assassin's Creed Shadows, players can launch Valhalla, Odyssey, Mirage, or Origins directly from the in-game hub without returning to the main menu. If a game isn’t available in the library, the system will notify the user. While this feature is currently exclusive to the Assassin’s Creed franchise, it is set to expand to other titles in the future.
For Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, the Stream Your Own Game collection has been expanded to include streaming options for hits like Gotham Knights, Party Animals, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. In the coming months, the list will be enriched with titles such as Planet Coaster 2, Raft, and a remastered version of The Thing.
Additionally, the company unveiled the Xbox Adaptive Joystick—a controller designed specifically for gamers with limited mobility, developed in close collaboration with the disability community. This innovative device is available exclusively in the Microsoft Store. These updates highlight Microsoft’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and technologically advanced gaming ecosystem, offering users fresh ways to enjoy their favorite content.
