In a significant move to enhance user experience, Xbox has rolled out an update to its Game Bar, the gameplay overlay that allows players to capture video footage and manage their gaming activities. This new feature, dubbed Compact Mode, is currently available exclusively to Xbox Insiders participating in the PC Gaming Preview program.
Streamlined Experience for Gamers
Compact Mode is designed to simplify the Game Bar interface, making it more accessible for users on smaller screens, controllers, and Windows handheld devices. To activate this feature, players can navigate to “Settings,” select “General,” and toggle on “Compact Mode.”
Xbox Game Bar in Compact Mode
Once in Compact Mode, players can effortlessly switch between various widgets using the left and right bumpers on their controllers. The Home widget conveniently displays all running and recently played games, while popular game launchers such as Steam, EA Play, and Ubisoft Connect are easily accessible.
Moreover, this update introduces a more efficient way to exit games. Players can simply go to the Home widget, select the game they wish to quit, and press close, streamlining the process compared to quitting from within the game or returning to the desktop.
As one of the more user-friendly options for recording gameplay on PC, the Xbox Game Bar continues to evolve, and this latest update enhances its functionality for users with smaller screens. Additionally, Xbox Cloud Gaming has expanded its reach, now available on devices like Fire TV 4K Sticks, allowing gamers to enjoy Xbox titles without the need for a console.
