Windows on ARM PCs are not what you call gaming devices, but they still can run some light games. Today, with the latest announcement from Microsoft, computers powered by ARM processors can access even more games, as the Xbox app is now properly available on Windows 11 PCs with ARM chips.
If you have a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon X processor or you plan to buy one, you can now install the Xbox app and use it to download games from the Game Pass catalog. Microsoft says that over 85% of all the games available there work on ARM-powered PCs, and those that are not compatible yet can be played using Xbox Cloud Gaming. While the Xbox app worked before, it was only capable of streaming games using Xbox Cloud Gaming without local play support.
The arrival of the Xbox app on ARM PCs coincides with recent reports about NVIDIA"s plans to launch its N1 processor family, with some variants having powerful built-in graphics for heavy loads, including gaming.
With more powerful chips that are capable of "serious" gaming on the horizon, it makes sense for Microsoft to invest more into what Windows on ARM can do on the gaming side of the industry. Last year, Microsoft updated its Prism emulator with AVX and AVX2 instruction set support, which enabled compatibility with many modern games. Additionally, anti-cheat support opened the door for many popular multiplayer games, such as Gears of War: Reloaded, Fortnite, and more.
Microsoft says that it continues to work on making Windows on ARM PCs run more games and do that better:
"Windows and Xbox continue to collaborate across the gaming community, OEMs, silicon innovators and game studios to expand catalog compatibility and deliver a consistently great Windows gaming experience—whether you’re on a powerful desktop, a purpose‑built handheld, or an Arm‑based Windows 11 laptop. Our focus remains on improving compatibility, enhancing performance and delivering experiences that make it easy to jump in and play."
You can read more about the announcement in a post on the official Windows Experience Blog.