Windows 10 Getting A Game Mode Which Acts Like An Xbox One

Game Mode for Windows 10 will minimize app running resources in order to provide an enhanced gaming experience

[crazychris4124]

They need to fix that train wreck they call the Windows Store. You have to jump through so many hoops just to buy, download or reinstall games. And forget about installing games on another hard drive. I gave up after 2 hours of installing Gears 4 on my secondary drive.

[n4rc]

Really? I don't really game on my PC but I got the free copy of Forza horizon.. was literally click, pick HDD to install to (as my SSD doesn't have room so secondary it had to be) and voila!

[Razzer]

Same. I had no problem buying FH3 on windows

[FITgamer]

Downloads and installs do take forever from Win10 store. Easily 60%-70% slower than Steam.

[PlayableGamez-]

It can be a cluttered messed at times. Especially with all of those other crappy apps.

[mikeslemonade]

Compared to consoles window store is still better. The only issue is Dead Rising 4 is $80.

[notachance]

I bought FH3 Ultimate Edition for the early access.. and end up having to REDOWNLOAD 5 TIMES because of their shitty preload problem, a problem which was shared between a whole lot of people

I ended up finishing the download by the time the regular version already dropped smh, never again

[JasonKCK]

What hoops? Everything you typed suggest you actually don't know anything.

[whitesoxfalife1976]

i think you be making shit up just to get upvotes.....

[maybelovehate]

It literally asks you which drive you want to install on when you click install. Of course you do have to have a drive available with enough space though.

[DarkZane]

It won't work on a drive that has the option "Compress this drive to save disk space" checked.

[zerocarnage]

I felt more than a fanboy epic fail attack on Windows10 there, because it's simple and easy.

[audiocafe]

I had the same issues earlier this year along with other things so left it alone after that. I recently tried it again in order to download the free copy of Gears 4 I had and they seem to have fixed the issue you're talking about. Also, slightly off topic but Gears 4 is well optimized on PC and it's much preferred IMO over the console version. Seriously if you have a good enough PC I highly recommend that version.

[Erik7357]

Wow, really interesting and will download it.

[whitesoxfalife1976]

its part of windows update it wont be available to the public just yet, but for fast ring insiders we shud be seeing the update in matter of weeks. in fact there is a leak of the build already there

http://www.windowscentral.c...

[Deep-throat]

You'll have to anyways...

MS should release The Master Chief collection, Halo 5, Forza Horzion 2 and Sunset Overdrive on the glorious platform.

[maybelovehate]

It will part of the Creators update according to the rumors. Although to me that seems too soon. We will see.

[zaherdab]

So they are trying to give more options to PC gamers and this article makes it seem like they are doing something evil ?

[Perjoss]

I've been asking for something like this for years, but now that it actually might be happening I'm starting to think that Microsoft will almost certainly find a way to mess it up. I predict one of the biggest complaints will be directed at a horrible UI. I do hope I'm wrong though, as I said I've wanted a streamlined gaming version of windows for years now so I hope its really good.

[SirBillyBones]

11 downvotes for an opinion. This site is dead to everyone but the trolls.

[IanTH]

If those 11 people don't agree with his opinion though, isn't that what the button is for? I've always viewed it as an agree/disagree button.

It isn't a fact/fiction button. Obviously there are trolls and obviously people can abuse the downvote button on very sensible comments (and even factually accurate comments). But I think people can get way too worked up about the up/down vote tallies. The meaningful part is if someone actually responds and what that interaction is like.

I certainly enjoy seeing a positive up/down vote ratio on my comments, but I also know sometimes people disagree with me (and those that disagree are more likely to click than those that agree) and I'm ok with that.

[OnceUponAGoat]

What has Microsoft messed up so badly in the near-past that makes you think they'll mess this up?
Since after the release on the XB1, and Win10, they have really got some of their reputation from consumers back, so this seems more misinformed than an opinion if you ask me..

[rainslacker]

It's only been a few years, and the Win10 release shenanigans were mostly last year. What reputation are they gaining back?

Even if they gain something, they can never be content with not screwing it up somehow. They are perpetually taking one step forward, then falling flat on their face and sliding down the hill. They keep going because they're so entrenched in the market that there is really no other suitable choice.

[Fishy Fingers]

Excellent. I've been waiting for a 'Big Picture' mode (ala Steam) for a while. Only real pain currently is no being able to do anything with a pad.

[bluefox755]

It runs games at 900p/30fps?

[whitesoxfalife1976]

get yo lame ass on up outta here goofy ass gamer

[bluefox755]

https://cdn.meme.am/cache/i...

[whitesoxfalife1976]

not even gonna give you the satisfaction of clicking your meme asswhipe

[Huguinho]

Even you are obviously trolling, it could be a mod that actually help rise performance on low tier PCs, so it could be a good idea.

[wolokowoh]

It can. PC run the games however you want them to.

[maybelovehate]

Been wanting this for a long time, but they better have a full gaming UI shell to accompany it. And it better work on Steam games as well which I am sure it will.

[_-EDMIX-_]

.....it begins

[fathertime4464]

Fantastic idea. Personally I love my Xbox and find it nice to have the freedom to play my x1 games on my pc if I choose. I can't because my pc is way out of date, but if I upgrade my laptop it'll be like having a portable x1. I don't see why options are such a big deal. More is better, or is that saying out dated now?

[ONESHOTV2]

fathertime4464-- "More is better" yeah but the radicals in the other camp thinks otherwise

[badz149]

Of course more is always better but the other camp just think that with this, Xbone is not needed or would be redundant.

[Christopher]

This seems like an extremely complex thing to do on PC. I can imagine improving things slightly, but accounting for everything on a PC I just don't see it going to the same levels as we get on consoles at all. But, it's neat that they are doing this at all.

[zaherdab]

It sounds like a version of windows 10 that is utilizing less resources and just leaving the bare-bone services needed to run games ... so it should help lower spec PCs achieve better performance but i can't see it doing much for higher spec PCs

[MasterCornholio]

That sounds about right to me. It should be useful to those who build media centre PCs.

[kevnb]

its just a game mode, the jounalist added in that it makes it like an xbox one and a bunch of doom and gloom for good measure.

[Christopher]

Game modes today are difficult considering how much Win10 has running behind the scenes and how it supports DX10 and DX12 apps. So, saying "it's just a game mode" is kind of downplaying the effort it requires to get this to work even just a little.

[kevnb]

chances are it just disables a bunch of non needed services, its not rocket science. Unless they invented some new game mode that isnt just the same as the others... (not likely, but the others tended to be bloatware in disguise).

[Christopher]

***chances are it just disables a bunch of non needed services, its not rocket science.***

It isn't rocket sience, but it's not as simple as disabling a bunch of non-needed services either. Windows 10 is built on a system of interwoven services and changes from one user to another drastically. There have to be checks and balances in place to not disable a function that needs to continue to run, to restart specific functions properly once done, and a lot more. It really isn't 'simple'. Anyone who thinks that doesn't understand how their OS works now compared to how it used to work in simpler times.

Edit: I don't know why I try to even explain to people who don't know programming. :(

[ONESHOTV2]

the xbox app work really well on PC already if they can improve it then i can see it taking off

[Christopher]

For certain things it is great. But, overall, it's not as good as just logging into my Xbox One or even using the phone app. Had a ton of trouble setting up the N4G Club because nothing would save on the app on my PC. Had to log into my XBO to do it.

I also hate how when I got to the chat page, it starts at the top rather than scrolling down to the latest chat messages.

[rainslacker]

I think that some kind of hypervisor which could completely turn off general purpose PC stuff, outside the bare minimum required to run, would be the best bet. Likely not what this will offer, but probably what would be best.

I do know some PC gamers whih make their own boot sequence for such things, but it's rather annoying to do in Windows due to updates having a tendency to turn things back on which are bloat ware, or new software installs actually installing on multiple boot configurations due to the way Vista based OS's(Which Win10 is) having wonky administrative privileges where the user doesn't have true admin privileges, but programs can if they're "trusted", which is apparently easy to fake.

Oh well...I don't game on PC, and I grew up during the days where when I was, I used a floppy disk to boot my computer into individual games.:) Good times.

All that being said, a lot of that apparently bloatware, that seems to be wasted resources, really takes up so little of actual resources, that it's hardly even worth considering. It's usually the virus checkers, anything that uses the internet for chatting or whatever, MS own programs which apparently improve the experience, or system monitoring utilities that are the resource hogs. All those little drivers and whatever that people typically turn off don't actually do anything other than remain resident in memory(say printer monitor software for instance), and even then, it's usually in virtual memory unless it's actually used.

[NohansenBoy]

Sorry, but consoles are becoming just as complex as PCs. This article is still very relevant. http://www.howtogeek.com/24...

Long gone are the days of simply plugging in a controller, putting a cart or disc in, and getting right into the game. Consoles are becoming watered down PCs.

[Christopher]

I don't see what this has to do with my comment. I never said consoles were simple or less complex, only that they are designed with the concept of everything already being turned off except what is needed for gaming.

[NohansenBoy]

My bad, I misunderstood your comment. Still not sure if that's true though considering a down to the metal game like Uncharted still doesn't look as good as Doom 2016, a multiplatform game that's also on PC that looks and runs incredible when ran down to the metal via Vulkan.

A good number of games that run better on consoles than PC don't have a good track record for being too consumer friendly.

[1nsomniac]

Don't understand why so many people can't understand that gaming pcs & consoles are completely different beasts. Designed for different people & different rooms of the house.

Don't see why it's so hard for some to understand that both can live side by side without the world ending!

On topic, I've heard so much BS from Microsoft about windows 10/dx12/gaming in general that I can't believe a thing they say these days.

[NohansenBoy]

I wonder if MS is jumping ship due to the failing console market. I don't mean failing on the consumer side, but on the business side.

[Christopher]

I don't see them jumping ship at all. They just put out new hardware, are going to put out new hardware in 2017, and are continuing to put out games as well as support the games they have and will continue to get.

[nowitzki2004]

They arent getting enough from the console market.. Thats why they are expanding to PC. As a PC gamer I say bring it on.

[NohansenBoy]

Same here. Good hardware and software sales doesn't mean a strong market after all and since Playstation is becoming Sony's lifeblood, I wouldn't touch their stock with a ten foot pole. MS on the other hand at least makes plenty of money from other divisions that doesn't lose, but rather gains a substantial amount of revenue so that's apart of why they're such a safe investment even if they kill Xbox and rebrand their gaming division.

[Dixiedevil]

Its a trap!!

[ONESHOTV2]

"Previously most of Xbox’s critics had argued that Xbox One had no real exclusives due to the fact that most of its games are available for PC gamers as well" wow turning a good news into some thing sour

[Hendog1981]

this is going to be pretty damn good I only hope they work out multi-manufacturer gpu support soon would love to have a 1080ti and Vega running in tandem :)

[jjb1981]

This is what John and Michelle (Video Game Outsiders) were talking about on their podcast. Microsoft is selling XBOX Scorpio as a Windows 10 only PC. This convergence and "Play anywhere" is a way to get people to think they will be buying two separate games in the future. Windows store is horrible and this is the way that they will get to their digital-only future as originally planned with Xbox one. We all will soon find out....

[SEAN1617]

OMG yes i bought and re-downloaded Gears of war 4 twice to get it to run and stop doing updates it did not need!!!! 160GB in all for one game! The Windows store is a wreck, at least for some games.

[yeahokwhatever]

*cough* scorpio *cough*

[Jon_Targaryen]

They oughta first sort out optimization of Windows 10 IMO. I swear after every update makes my pc slower, slower and slower!

[jholden3249]

I have an Xbox One and gaming PC. But MS really needs to do some work on the Windows 10 side of things before I consider playing on PC over X1.

This is nice, but it's not enough.

[mastershredder]

Interface is now a special magic mode just for Xbox one.

[jensen86]

I cant wait for it hopefully works for all games as my library 90% on steam