Microsoft wants to make the Xbox app the home of PC gaming

Microsoft is updating the Xbox app on Windows with hundreds of new PC games that were not previously available. The update is part of a broader effort to make the Xbox app the go-to place for finding PC games, regardless of whether they are part of PC Game Pass or not. The new games include titles from Japanese studios like Kemco and Kairosoft, as well as games like The Invincible by Double 11. Over 100 of the new titles are also Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to buy the Xbox console version and play the Xbox PC version too. Microsoft has been working with partners to bring all PC games with Xbox features into the Xbox app, although the exact meaning of this is not immediately clear. The company has been trying to tempt game developers to its Windows-based store by lowering its cut from 30 percent to 12 percent. Despite these efforts, many PC games with cross-play between Xbox and PC versions are not currently part of the Microsoft Store or Xbox app. Microsoft may be working to bring these games into the Xbox app, potentially including games from other stores like Steam, Epic Games Store, or itch.io. The company is also rolling out a new home UI for the Xbox app on Windows, featuring content from PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store, as well as collections of deals and discounts. The new home UI includes a "jump back in" section that lets players quickly get back into recent games, similar to the feature on Xbox consoles.