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Everything is an Xbox, or at least that’s what the marketing suggests.
But it’s certainly true that cloud gaming isn’t always optimal.
Running full Windows, the AMD Z1E PC gaming handhelds effectively turn your device into a portable Xbox Series S.
Well, that’s where Xbox Play Anywhere comes in.
Xbox Play Anywhereis an initiative started with Quantum Break back in 2016.
Since then, the program has extended to dozens of games, and is commonly associated withXbox Game Pass.
Running full Windows, the AMD Z1E PC gaming handhelds effectively turn your device into a portable Xbox Series S.
What ifeverygame had Xbox Play Anywhere, though?
Game Pass on Windows PC has been the vehicle so far, powered by the Xbox PC app.
It works as seamlessly as you might expect, at least in general.
The Xbox app on PC has improved a decent amount since its first version, but visibility for cross-platform features is not the best.
There are some issues I’ve found at times, particularly with some older titles in the service.
However, more recent games like Death Stranding work like a charm.
And indeed, I can roam with my save file to cloud and Xbox consoles if I fancy.
Games like the fantastic Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection represent the ultimate “Xbox Play Anywhere” experience.
This is the dream, and the end-goal vision of the modern Xbox ecosystem.
As of writingthatarticle, it only showed around 100 titles.
The era of gaming being chained to the TV is coming to an end.
Diablo 4 is a Microsoft game that is verifiablynotXbox Play Anywhere, with no availability on Xbox Cloud Gaming, and no cross-platform purchasing.
The more people that are talking, the more likely it’ll be to rank in algorithmic content feeds.
)And like I mentioned, more and more third-party developers are waking up to embrace the system.
Albeit, rather few.
Hollow Knight on the Lenovo Legion Go is my current travel game.
I would love the upcomingMonster Hunter Wildsto hit Xbox Play Anywhere, for example.
I suppose therein lies the dilemma for a lot of publishers and developers.
Xbox Play Anywhere would eliminate the “double-dip” market.
Some of these issues are likely just a matter of time away from being resolved.
But what about all of those other developers?
Increasingly, game developers are targeting PC first, specifically via Valve’s Steam platform.
Microsoft is working hard to move further in this direction too, though.
Will they be compatible with any prospective futureXbox handheldor console built on a more Windows-like environment?
I just want to see more from it.
I know getting support like this is always a chicken and egg situation.
It has to make financial sense for each individual developer and publisher, for sure.
But it’s clear that Microsoft had the vision correct from as early as 2016.
Unlike the Legion Go and Steam Deck, it supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
This means PC games run more smoothly on the ROG Ally compared to any other handheld gear.
Additionally, there are several minor enhancements to the casing and joysticks.
See at:Best Buy
