Saturday, August 1, 2015

Windows 10: what it means for PC and Xbox One gamers

 




Microsoft is hoping to align Xbox One more closely with PC, allowing easier video sharing, socialising and multiplayer gaming between the two Photograph: MICHAEL NELSON/EPA






After several months of hype and expectation, Windows 10 has finally launched, bringing a(nother) new operating system era to computers everywhere. Under the tagline “it’s the Windows you know, only better” Microsoft is promising a range of exciting features, from the return of the Start menu to the arrival of Cortana, a cross-platform digital assistant that promises to be sort of like Paperclip guy but actually useful.

Forget all that, though, because the real question is: what will Windows 10 mean for games and gamers? Here are the key features and how they’ll affect PC andXbox One owners.
Xbox Live on PC

Windows 10 will place an Xbox Live app on your PC, giving you access to your Xbox friends list, achievements, messages and activity feed, so you’ll be able to keep an eye on your console chums when you’re not actually on your console. Microsoft’s aim is to provide a unified store for developers and publishers, whichmay one day mean they will be able to upload a single game to Xbox Live which will run on both PC and consoles.

The company is adamant that it isn’t trying to compete with Steam – indeed, in itsnews piece on the OS, Microsoft’s Wire blog hinted that Steam, GoG, and Battle.net titles will all be visible and accessible in the Xbox app. However, what it definitely is trying to do is make it super convenient for game makers to operate within the Windows 10 ecosystem. The idea of being able to upload one app that can be accessible on console, PC, tablet and smartphone will be an enticing one.

Elsewhere, PC owners will be able to stream games from their Xbox One to their other PCs and Windows tablets via a local wireless network – handy if you want to play Halo 4 but someone else is hogging the TV. The app also provides Microsoft’s Game DVR package which allows players to seamlessly record and share gaming footage. We’re hoping the company takes this chance to streamline this process however, as Xbox One owners currently need to import Game DVR videos into another app, Upload Studio, to record voice-overs before depositing the footage on OneDrive. We do know that you’ll be able to share your saved clips across PC and Xbox One, and you can use it with PC games that you’re playing through Steam and other game services.

Anyway, Windows 10 is also compatible with both the standard Xbox One controller and the new Elite pad. There will also be a wireless adaptor available so you don’t have to plug in a micro USB cable.

Windows 10 on Xbox One

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