Bonfires Down
Member
But the real problems begin when your launchers require you to login again and then start updating. The launcher mess is one of the things pushing me away from PC gaming.
[The Verge] Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows
- Thread starter Topher
- Start date
Sounds like GoG Galaxy which can already do this.
Yep. some mistakes and hallucinations can be very deceiving if the user is clueless about what and how is searching or tying to achieve.
in this case, I was aware this idea wasn't new, in fact; i think some version of Windows had something like that.
asking this question:
did some version of Windows had like a folder were all your games were shown regardless of where you bought them ?
it's answer:
Yes — you're thinking of the **"Games Explorer"** (or **Games Folder**) introduced with **Windows Vista** and kept in **Windows 7**.
Here's how it worked:
* It was a special folder (you could open it from the Start menu) that acted like a central hub for games.
* It automatically added shortcuts and information about installed games — regardless of where you bought or installed them.
* It would display box art, ratings, and other details for supported titles.
* It was designed to be a central place for launching and managing games.
**Why you don't see it anymore:**
Windows 8 deprecated it, and Windows 10/11 removed it entirely as part of streamlining the OS and focusing more on the Microsoft Store and Xbox app.
If you want something similar nowadays, you have to use launchers like Steam, GOG Galaxy, Playnite, or the Xbox app, which try to do the same thing across platforms.
If you want, I can also walk you through restoring the old Games Explorer in modern Windows — it's still possible in some cases! Would you like that?
then i can ask for sources (to corroborate than it's not making stuff up)
Getting Started with Games Explorer
learn.microsoft.com
way more efficient and effective.
Steam never really used this feature of Windows, at least I don't remember the client placing any games here. It was part of the Games for Windows banner that was introduced with Windows Vista which was meant to standardize games running on Windows. One of the requirements i liked was gamed had to save their data into a Saved Games folder located within your documents. As before games would usually crate their own directory in your Documents folder which ended up looking messy, and some games would even store their data inside the hidden AppData directory or within the system files, making it a challenge to backup your game saves.
Another nice feature of this was games would even place a shortcut within the Windows Media Center app, allowing for a more console like launcher experience. The PC version of Halo 2 was one of the few games that did this.
I believe with Windows 8, they implemented the Xbox UMP app instead which was supposed to serve as the replacement game launcher, but by then Steam was taking off.
dgrdsv
Member
This is exactly how it will work.
In fact this is exactly how it works in Galaxy already.
And if anywhere in these steps there will be a KB+M UI the whole idea falls apart.
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YeulEmeralda
Linux User
Consoles have splash screens you can't skip. I think that if you did a stopwatch test for how long it takes to get into a game that it would still be close.
Pop
Member
Topher
Identifies as young
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
Everyone loved ICQ as a single platform, somehow hatred flows for Xbox's go at similar for gaming. Funny stuff.
graywolf323
Member
because the Xbox acolytes are acting like this is some brand new revelation when it's anything but, GOG Galaxy 2.0 released in beta back in 2019 and could do this
also you have shills like Warren claiming 'Xbox' can now run games like Spider-Man
GHG
Member
Hero of Spielberg
Member
Just launched the Xbox app on my PC and seems to have pulled in all installed games from Steam and Epic launchers.
For games without a launcher it loads directly into them (after linking the account on Epic for the first launch).
For Steam games it shows a loading popup before the game opens:
For games without a launcher it loads directly into them (after linking the account on Epic for the first launch).
For Steam games it shows a loading popup before the game opens:
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Gameplay Gods Bless
Member
Problem is AI hallucinates information, that means it randomly makes stuff up and acts confident as if what it's saying is the truth. Only way to truly know is to double check the information but most people don't do that.
Punished Miku
Gaslighter Pro: 16.7 Fireflops
What about uninstalled games?Just launched the Xbox app on my PC and seems to have pulled in all installed games from Steam and Epic launchers.
For games without a launcher it loads directly into them (after linking the account on Epic for the first launch).
For Steam games it shows a loading popup before the game opens:
El Muerto
Member
Finally showed up on my pc. Had to update then reboot. My pc froze when it was scanning for games, i have close to 1000 steam games installed.
Showing 0 for me. Same with owned, in gamepass, and cloud. Games only populate with installed or nothing selected.
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Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
Question: As it already runs Steam in the background, how is it a different experience than, say, a desktop shortcut?
Punished Miku
Gaslighter Pro: 16.7 Fireflops
Working out some kinks I guessFinally showed up on my pc. Had to update then reboot. My pc froze when it was scanning for games, i have close to 1000 steam games installed.
Showing 0 for me. Same with owned, in gamepass, and cloud. Games only populate with installed or nothing selected.
clarky
Gold Member
You have 1000 games installed locally?Finally showed up on my pc. Had to update then reboot. My pc froze when it was scanning for games, i have close to 1000 steam games installed.
Showing 0 for me. Same with owned, in gamepass, and cloud. Games only populate with installed or nothing selected.
Why?
Hero of Spielberg
Member
Something else I noticed in the app settings, there is an option for a 'compact mode'. Not sure if that was available before?
When turned on, it minimised the sidebar and there seems to be an icon indicating my computer is plugged in (no shit lol) but perhaps this is a beta for the proposed handheld OS where it will show when you have your handheld on charge.
When turned on, it minimised the sidebar and there seems to be an icon indicating my computer is plugged in (no shit lol) but perhaps this is a beta for the proposed handheld OS where it will show when you have your handheld on charge.
peish
Member
Why can't we stick with status quo's?
I will launch xbox app for pc game pass, steam for steam games, epic for free games
With ssd and fibre, launching separately is snappy
Fess
Member
Showing 0 for me. Same with owned, in gamepass, and cloud. Games only populate with installed or nothing selected.
They need to sort that out. Just force a login everywhere to get your full list of games with an install button. Can't expect people exiting that full screen experience and start up Epic to install a new free game release. Is there even controller functionality in other launchers besides Steam? Do you have to move a mouse pointer with the analog stick?
ZehDon
Member
Well, Microsoft is trying to solve the same problem GOG tried to solve with GOG Galaxy's Steam integration: no one uses them because they use Steam. So, Microsoft thinks by integrating Steam into their Xbox PC app, that will increase the usage of their Xbox PC app, and eventually, people will buy additional things through it, allowing them to chip away at Steam's dominance. But they won't. People will continue to do what you described: xbox app for pc game pass, steam for steam games, epic for free games. Because Steam is better and I've built an enormous library of games on it.
Now, if Microsoft integrations Steam into an Xbox console, well, now that's something else entirely.
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
Just checked the Xbox App on my PC, and it's not showing any options for Steam integration - so I couldn't test it out on my own.
Anyone knows if this hasn't been rolled out globally yet, or is there an option I may have missed?
Anyone knows if this hasn't been rolled out globally yet, or is there an option I may have missed?
clarky
Gold Member
Are you in enrolled in the xbox insider PC preview ring?
If not don't bother. Its really not worth checking out.
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Crayon
Member
I was messing around with "searching" via chatgpt the other nite and I found the returns were kinda garbage. Like a scrape of commonly said thing and then inserted into that sort of narration. You'd be better off with wikipedia in those cases.
Baemono
Member
It's a longcut to Steam basically
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Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
Oh okay, makes sense. No I'm not enrolled.
I just wanted to give it a test ride, because I keep thinking what experience it's offering other than what a desktop shortcut basically does.
clarky
Gold Member
Answer is nothing. It behaves exactly like an .exe its useless in its current form on desktop and looks like shit.
Here it is for reference.
laynelane
Member
That's always been my assumption too. As well, in contrast to Sony and Nintendo, Valve doesn't have their own services - so, their business model is very much mainly about selling games. In that context, even a modified version of Game Pass (eg. first party only) isn't a good deal for them - since a percentage of a sub fee will likely be less than a percentage of every copy of a game sold.
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
Thanks! This is exactly what I was wondering.Answer is nothing. It behaves exactly like an .exe its useless in its current form on desktop and looks like shit.
Here it is for reference.
After seeing Tom Warren's video, I at least found out that Steam will run in the background. That kinda defeats the entire purpose then, is it? But I also understand why Steam would run in the background.
To be honest, Xbox is trying to solve a problem that is not really a problem. Desktop shortcuts already solve that "issue."
Desktop shortcuts have been providing an even better experience for years now. If starting a new launcher is the problem, then you don't even need to use even a single launcher with desktop shortcuts - which makes that experience far superior to this in which you have to use the Xbox launcher, at the very least.
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Kacho
Member
It's no different than GOG Galaxy and various other programs that do the same. It's just another option.
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
And that's fine. I just got confused by all the hype and media coverage of this very, very tiny thing and thought they did something revolutionary lol
Kacho
Member
There's no hype. Just curiosity.
pudel
Member
I mean for the xbox console guys, thats pretty massive...if they use that app as underlying system for their console. But yeah, for pc user....its just one option more, which is fine I guess.
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
But this is for PCs only.
Steam is not even on Xbox console (and it can't be, obviously), so that option cannot be added to the Xbox consoles anyway.
pudel
Member
I mean the new "console thing" with the special AMD chip. Why wouldnt they use the xbox app on that thing?
Kacho
Member
Yeah, it's a glimpse at how it will work on the updated UI for Windows handhelds later this year. It's interesting.
Definitely not a fan of the "Hur hur I can launch Spider-Man through the Xbox app" and how that dominates the discussion. It's pure brain rot.
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Funny because this rarely happens and with just 1 or 2 launchers (Ubisoft and Rockstar). But whatever alleviates your FOMO.
pudel
Member
True. I just see Sony profiting as well in that scenario. Everyone is. Which is great.
Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
If that is also a PC underneath (like the Rog Ally is), then they will definitely use it. But if the new device is actually a console underneath (like the Xbox Series X|S), this simply won't be an option.
pudel
Member
Okay....I was of the impression, this will be more like a locked down pc, with a special extra chip (hardware solution) to play the old xbox console games and as UI they will be using the xbox app.
Bojanglez
The Amiga Brotherhood
These Xbox zealots are going to give PC gamers a bad name.
For years on PC people have despised additional launchers, now these dudes come along and are acting as if a shortcut icon in a minor PC store's launcher is some kind of magic. What a massive win for them
For years on PC people have despised additional launchers, now these dudes come along and are acting as if a shortcut icon in a minor PC store's launcher is some kind of magic. What a massive win for them
ChorizoPicozo
Member
people are super sure PS will not block games into this app. and while it doesn't make sense to block them.... these devices are an Xbox and marketed in that way.... so, if Sony block them will make sense as well. i guess this will show how evil, arrogant and violent Sony really is.
analog_future
Resident Crybaby
Answer is nothing. It behaves exactly like an .exe its useless in its current form on desktop and looks like shit.
Here it is for reference.
"Nothing" is not exactly correct. It allows you to use a controller-centric UI to browse and launch your Xbox/Game Pass/Steam/etc.. games without ever having to leave the TV/controller-friendly UI to do so. Which is exactly what this update has always been advertised as doing.
It's pretty much Playnite but less refined (right now), and Playnite is freaking amazing.
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clarky
Gold Member
You can do all that anyway without this feature. I want steam, I just hit a button on the controller and go into big picture mode. I don't need the Xbox app unless I want to play gamepass games, which are also a click away.
Big picture mode is a vastly superior experience.
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Heisenberg007
Gold Journalism
On handheld devices, without mouse/cursor, perhaps there are people who might find this somewhat appealing. But on desktops, I really can't see people preferring this over just using desktop shortcuts or the Steam launcher as is.
Functionalities would obviously be limited. For example, if you own a game on Steam, you still won't be able your Steam friends list or achievements in the Xbox app, so it wouldn't make practical sense to have a half-assed experience playing a Steam game where you can't access all the features Steam offers.
Also, the Steam Big Picture mode exists and is pretty refined at this point for someone who just wants to boot into a gaming UI and start games right away from their controllers / or without using a mouse.