Microsoft is set to revolutionize gaming on Arm-based Windows devices with a forthcoming update to its Xbox app, allowing users to download and install ARM64-compatible games locally, a significant departure from its current reliance on Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The new functionality, currently available for testing by Windows Insiders, enables select ARM64 games from PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be directly installed on Qualcomm-powered devices, such as the Surface Pro 12, for the first time. This development builds upon Microsoft’s 2022 release of an ARM64 Xbox app, which initially lacked a substantial library of natively compiled games.
According to Microsoft, the update is a result of a collaborative effort between its Windows and Xbox teams to ensure broad Game Pass catalog compatibility. The company further announced plans to “develop new features that will enable more games to be played on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs in the coming months,” thereby enhancing the gaming experience on these platforms.
