Microsoft Expands On Additions To PC Like Auto-HDR, Cloud Streaming, And Rebuilt Xbox App For Windows 11

While console continues to be the main emphasis for Microsoft’s pursuit in the video game industry, it is no secret that the Xbox company is also tackling the same endeavor through different avenues. In that, PC also happens to be a large aim for its expansion. Additionally, cloud streaming is the latest pursuit from Microsoft with xCloud entering the market last fall via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

However, PC users are now being welcomed to the mix of xCloud as well via limited beta. But that is to change fairly soon as the firm recently promised the feature to be welcomed to more browsers in the approaching weeks. Furthermore, the team also told that the Xbox App on PC is anticipating a dedicated update for xCloud later on. Even more, PC could also anticipated tools such as Auto-HDR which was already pressed earlier in 2021.

Upon showcasing the capabilities of the latest Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft also presses on the influences of the new version when it comes to PC gaming as well.

Games will look better than ever thanks to Auto HDR, a unique capability we’re offering with Windows 11 which automatically adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhancements to games built on DirectX 11 or higher that previously only leveraged Standard Dynamic Range (SDR). HDR allows a supported game to render a much wider range of brightness values and colors, giving an extra sense of richness and depth to the image.

We introduced this tech in our Xbox Series X|S consoles and got an outstanding response from creators and players. We’re excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to Windows 11. With a high performance NVMe SSD and the proper drivers, Windows 11 can soon load new games faster than ever thanks to a breakthrough technology called DirectStorage, which we also pioneered as part of the Xbox Velocity Architecture featured in the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

With DirectStorage, which will only be available with Windows 11, games can quickly load assets to the graphics card without bogging down the CPU. This means you’ll get to experience incredibly detailed game worlds rendered at lightning speeds, without long load times. “DirectStorage Optimized” Windows 11 PCs are configured with the hardware and drivers needed to enable this amazing experience.

Sarah Bond, Corporate Vice President for Game Creator Experience and Ecosystem

If you’re a gamer, Windows 11 is made for you. Gaming has always been fundamental to what Windows is all about. Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world game on Windows and find joy and connection with loved ones and friends through play,” Microsoft reiterates on the Windows 11 announcement. “Windows 11 unlocks the full potential of your system’s hardware, putting some of the latest gaming technology to work for you.

“Like: DirectX 12 Ultimate, which can enable breathtaking, immersive graphics at high frame rates; DirectStorage for faster load times and more detailed game worlds; and Auto HDR for a wider, more vivid range of colors for a truly captivating visual experience. Nothing has changed in our commitment to hardware compatibility – Windows 11 supports your favorite PC gaming accessories and peripherals.”

Many of the additions mapped for gaming on PC was previously by Microsoft a few weeks prior. In that, the Xbox division did elaborate on its ambition to improve the overall experience for Xbox Game Pass on PC as well which is now included in the latest roadmap. You can read the full report by heading here.

What part of Windows 11 for gaming are you most excited to see on the way?

Source: Xbox Wire