Microsoft has embarked on a new journey to enhance the gaming experience for its users by testing a compact version of the Game Bar, specifically tailored for Xbox Insiders. This innovative mode mirrors the functionality of the Xbox app on Windows PCs, catering to gamers who prefer smaller screens, such as handheld devices, or those who enjoy gaming on a PC with a controller.
Streamlined Navigation and Accessibility
Oliver Xu, the senior product manager for Xbox Experiences, elaborates on the benefits of this compact mode: “With Compact Mode enabled, access to widgets and navigation is simplified to ensure you can get access to the content you want as easily as possible.” This new feature allows players to swiftly navigate between widgets using the left and right bumpers (LB/RB) on their controllers, making it easier than ever to manage their gaming experience.
The compact Game Bar introduces a home widget that displays recently played or currently running games, providing a quick overview for users. Notably, players can also quit games directly from this interface, a functionality particularly beneficial for those using a controller. Furthermore, accessing widget options and exploring the widget store for additional features has been made more efficient in this compact format.
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving the Xbox app on Windows, Microsoft has been rolling out enhancements, including this compact mode and various controller navigation improvements. Xbox Insiders can sign up to participate in testing this new mode, which can be easily enabled within the settings menu, paving the way for a more streamlined gaming experience.
