Everything can be a console in a few weeks’ time as Microsoft plans to bring an ‘Xbox Mode’ to all Windows devices

During GDC 2026, Xbox held a panel speaking about the future of the company, explaining how its console will reshape gaming in the years to come. Though the hardware itself won't come before at least late 2027, Xbox's software side won't sit idly and will instead come to all Windows devices starting this April. That was confirmed by Jason Ronald, Xbox's VP of Next Generation, during today's GDC panel. He said that the release of the ROG Xbox Ally last year significantly informed the company's subsequent decisions, as fans who purchased that device got the chance to experience Xbox's software innovations first-hand. Primarily, however, it appears fans were surprised by the quality of the device's "Xbox Mode," which runs on top of its underlying Windows operating system, simulating a console-like experience. "So even though the ROG Xbox Ally is powered by Windows under the covers, I never see Windows. I jump into a direct Xbox-first experience that allows me to see all of my games in my library," Ronald explained. "I am proud to announce that Xbox Mode will be coming to Windows 11 in select markets starting in April," he added. Xbox Mode began with the ROG Xbox Ally. Image via Asus He further said that this allows Microsoft to significantly improve the gaming experience in Windows 11, which would help gamers get the most out of the operating system no matter their device of choice. It's essentially turning everything into a big ol' console, not much unlike what Steam Big Picture does (and has been doing for a very long time now). Other features from the ROG Xbox Ally, such as the Advanced Shader Delivery technology that helps offset wait times for shader compilation in modern games, will also arrive alongside this new Xbox Mode. Ronald said the company was significantly "leaning into" the feedback it received from ROG Xbox Ally users, deciding ultimately to implement that across the board. Xbox Mode will also allow you to download and install games from other stores and platforms but doesn't require you to actually ever leave the experience. It's a gaming-focused mode that places your titles front and center, as Ronald explains, and so it serves a similar purpose to GOG Galaxy and its attempts to "unify" your gaming. All of your games, no matter where you've installed them or what platform they're from, will be available then and there, alongside other quality-of-life improvements such as most-recently played titles being on the front page. "What the team's been doing behind the scenes is they're doing a lot of work to really deliver a consistent experience," Ronald said. "It feels very familiar, and it feels very distinctly Xbox, no matter where you are actually choosing to play." "Because as a player, if I choose to move between screens, I shouldn't have to learn new user interfaces just based on the screen that I'm on," he said. This information somewhat implies that Project Helix, some of whose details we also got to see during today's Xbox panel, will be a PC-based console instead of its own separate platform. We wrote about those leaks a few days ago, comparing this new device to the Steam Machine, even if it was likely in development much before Valve unveiled its upcoming tech. No matter what, however, it's probably going to be a push toward establishing an Xbox device ecosystem, much like what Valve's trying to do. The console isn't supposed to enter the alpha stage of development before 2027, however, so we'll have to wait a little longer to actually see how the thing looks and what it'll do. In the meantime, though, we'll have Xbox Mode powering devices across the board, bringing the console vibe over to the PC. The post Everything can be a console in a few weeks’ time as Microsoft plans to bring an ‘Xbox Mode’ to all Windows devices appeared first on Destructoid.

Mar 12, 2026 - 03:30

Everything can be a console in a few weeks’ time as Microsoft plans to bring an ‘Xbox Mode’ to all Windows devices

During GDC 2026, Xbox held a panel speaking about the future of the company, explaining how its console will reshape gaming in the years to come. Though the hardware itself won't come before at least late 2027, Xbox's software side won't sit idly and will instead come to all Windows devices starting this April.

That was confirmed by Jason Ronald, Xbox's VP of Next Generation, during today's GDC panel. He said that the release of the ROG Xbox Ally last year significantly informed the company's subsequent decisions, as fans who purchased that device got the chance to experience Xbox's software innovations first-hand. Primarily, however, it appears fans were surprised by the quality of the device's "Xbox Mode," which runs on top of its underlying Windows operating system, simulating a console-like experience.

"So even though the ROG Xbox Ally is powered by Windows under the covers, I never see Windows. I jump into a direct Xbox-first experience that allows me to see all of my games in my library," Ronald explained. "I am proud to announce that Xbox Mode will be coming to Windows 11 in select markets starting in April," he added.

Xbox Mode began with the ROG Xbox Ally. Image via Asus He further said that this allows Microsoft to significantly improve the gaming experience in Windows 11, which would help gamers get the most out of the operating system no matter their device of choice. It's essentially turning everything into a big ol' console, not much unlike what Steam Big Picture does (and has been doing for a very long time now).

Other features from the ROG Xbox Ally, such as the Advanced Shader Delivery technology that helps offset wait times for shader compilation in modern games, will also arrive alongside this new Xbox Mode. Ronald said the company was significantly "leaning into" the feedback it received from ROG Xbox Ally users, deciding ultimately to implement that across the board.

Xbox Mode will also allow you to download and install games from other stores and platforms but doesn't require you to actually ever leave the experience. It's a gaming-focused mode that places your titles front and center, as Ronald explains, and so it serves a similar purpose to GOG Galaxy and its attempts to "unify" your gaming.

All of your games, no matter where you've installed them or what platform they're from, will be available then and there, alongside other quality-of-life improvements such as most-recently played titles being on the front page.

"What the team's been doing behind the scenes is they're doing a lot of work to really deliver a consistent experience," Ronald said. "It feels very familiar, and it feels very distinctly Xbox, no matter where you are actually choosing to play."

"Because as a player, if I choose to move between screens, I shouldn't have to learn new user interfaces just based on the screen that I'm on," he said.

This information somewhat implies that Project Helix, some of whose details we also got to see during today's Xbox panel, will be a PC-based console instead of its own separate platform. We wrote about those leaks a few days ago, comparing this new device to the Steam Machine, even if it was likely in development much before Valve unveiled its upcoming tech. No matter what, however, it's probably going to be a push toward establishing an Xbox device ecosystem, much like what Valve's trying to do.

The console isn't supposed to enter the alpha stage of development before 2027, however, so we'll have to wait a little longer to actually see how the thing looks and what it'll do.

In the meantime, though, we'll have Xbox Mode powering devices across the board, bringing the console vibe over to the PC.

The post Everything can be a console in a few weeks’ time as Microsoft plans to bring an ‘Xbox Mode’ to all Windows devices appeared first on Destructoid.

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