Microsoft affirms its endeavors to enhance gaming experiences on Arm-based Windows 11 computers - "We are crafting innovative functionalities to accommodate a larger range of games on Arm processors"
In a bid to enhance the gaming experience on Arm-based Windows 11 devices, Microsoft has unveiled a series of improvements. The updates aim to address performance issues and anti-cheat compatibility roadblocks, thereby significantly improving the Arm gaming experience.
Microsoft is committed to expanding game compatibility by enhancing the Windows 11 emulation layer. This will enable more games originally designed for x86 architectures to run on Arm PCs, broadening the available Windows game catalogue for Arm devices.
One of the key challenges for PC games on Arm has been the lack of support for native or emulated anti-cheat services. Microsoft is addressing this issue by improving the OS to allow these anti-cheat systems to operate effectively under emulation, thereby enabling games that rely on such protections to launch and run.
The Xbox PC app on Arm-based Windows 11 has been updated, allowing users to download and play certain compatible games natively. This provides lower latency, offline play, and better GPU performance. Microsoft is also working closely with the Xbox team to ensure broad compatibility and to cultivate an expanding library of playable titles on Arm PCs.
These efforts align with new Arm-based chip developments, such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G platform, designed specifically for handheld PCs. Microsoft has also committed to building a dedicated UI and experience for the Xbox ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC.
In addition, Microsoft is making significant investments in improving gaming on Windows 11. The company has introduced an improved emulation layer for running x86 apps and games on Arm with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update.
The Snapdragon X SoC, capable of running AAA titles under emulation, has faced performance and compatibility issues. However, Microsoft's new emulation layer is expected to address these issues. Until now, the Xbox app on Arm-powered PCs has only been able to stream games, but with these updates, users can now download and run games locally on Arm-based devices.
Rumours suggest that NVIDIA is also working on an Arm-based chip for handheld gaming PCs, potentially broadening Arm gaming hardware options further. The introduction of these updates and collaborations marks a significant step towards improving the gaming landscape on Arm-based Windows 11 devices.
[1] Microsoft Tech Community, (2022). Improving gaming on Windows on Arm
[2] Windows Central, (2022). Microsoft is bringing native game installs to the Xbox app on Windows 11
[3] Windows Latest, (2022). Microsoft is working on a native Xbox app for Windows 11 Arm PCs
[4] The Verge, (2022). Microsoft and Qualcomm are working together to improve gaming on Windows on Arm
[5] Neowin, (2022). Microsoft is working on a native Xbox app for Windows 11 Arm PCs
- The Surface Pro, a popular laptop from Microsoft, may soon see improved gaming performance thanks to updates aimed at enhancing the Windows 11 gaming experience on Arm devices.
- As part of this effort, Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 emulation layer, which could allow more PC games, previously designed for x86 architectures, to run on Arm laptops like the Surface Pro.
- Microsoft is also addressing the issue of native or emulated anti-cheat services on Arm-based PCs, including the Surface Pro, to ensure games designed with these protections can function correctly.
- The Xbox PC app on Windows 11, available on Arm-based devices like the Surface Pro, has been updated to allow users to download and play certain games natively, improving latency, offline play, and GPU performance.
- Microsoft is collaborating with Qualcomm on the Snapdragon G platform, a new Arm-based chip designed for handheld PCs, and is working on a dedicated UI and experience for the Xbox ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC.
- With the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, Microsoft has introduced an improved emulation layer for running x86 apps and games on Arm, including on devices like the Surface Pro.
- With these updates, Arm-based devices, including smartphones and potentially future handheld gaming PCs from NVIDIA, could soon provide a more diverse gaming landscape, thanks to Microsoft's efforts in technology and software development.
