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Microsoft is piloting an early iteration of its Copilot for Gaming, allowing select employees to access this feature within the Xbox mobile application. Observers of Microsoft’s Xbox strategy reveal that the new Copilot is designed to integrate with Xbox accounts, offering capabilities tailored for gamers.
Launched last month, Copilot for Gaming is poised to expand its availability across various platforms, including Xbox consoles. This feature is intended to serve as a gaming assistant, helping users navigate games, manage downloads, and more.
The initial version, currently in the hands of Microsoft employees, may see changes before its official release. It reportedly includes functions such as viewing recent Xbox achievements, receiving personalized game recommendations based on individual play history, and obtaining gameplay tips. Users will also have the option to download and install games directly to their consoles via this assistant.
Similar to its existing chatbot counterpart, users can interact with the Xbox Copilot through either text or voice commands, selecting from different voice personalities ranging from energetic to wise. Microsoft is also exploring the development of animated Copilot characters, although this specific feature has not yet rolled out in the Xbox version.
Moreover, Microsoft is advancing its Copilot for Gaming with the goal of utilizing its Copilot Vision technology. If successfully implemented, this feature could enable the assistant to visually interact with gameplay on PCs, offering real-time guidance during gameplay for popular titles like Overwatch 2 and Minecraft.
Expected to become available to Xbox Insiders shortly, Microsoft plans to continuously refine this feature based on user feedback. However, the timeline for a full rollout onto Xbox consoles remains uncertain, as the testing phase is only beginning within the mobile application.
Feedback on Copilot for Gaming is particularly intriguing since it is debuting in the Xbox mobile app. The necessity of a chatbot for downloading games or checking achievements may seem redundant, yet if Microsoft develops this into a comprehensive AI gaming mentor, it could revolutionize user interaction.
Arrival of Xbox Titles on Battle.net
Blizzard’s Battle.net launcher, once limited in selection, is quickly evolving into a preferred platform for Microsoft’s new and existing Xbox titles. Recently, Avowed debuted on Battle.net, and the highly popular game Sea of Thieves is set to join next month.
An interesting aspect of these releases is that both titles are not part of Activision or Blizzard’s library, and they will be accessible for Game Pass subscribers. This contrasts with prior practices that required access through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store. By introducing these games to Battle.net, Microsoft is indicating a potential willingness to expand Game Pass accessibility across various PC launchers.
Furthermore, the trend isn’t limited to just two titles; upcoming releases like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 will also launch on Battle.net, with Game Pass subscribers gaining access through this platform. Downloads will be exclusively managed by the Battle.net client, requiring users merely to link their accounts to enjoy these offerings.
While it’s unlikely that Microsoft will completely shift away from the Microsoft Store and Xbox app for Game Pass downloads, partnering with Battle.net introduces additional flexibility for players looking to acquire and enjoy Xbox games. The extensive user base of Battle.net presents a valuable opportunity for promoting PC Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere titles.
In other developments: Microsoft is currently scaling back some data center projects amid changing operational strategies. Company president Noelle Walsh confirmed that certain early-stage projects will be slowed or paused, while still committing to continued investment in existing data center regions. Additionally, Microsoft is set to launch the Recall feature for Copilot Plus PC users, enhancing user experience after delays due to security concerns.
ActiveX functionalities will now be disabled by default in Microsoft 365 apps, further bolstering security measures against potential malware risks. Meanwhile, the recent release of GPT-4.1 has expanded Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI service, bringing improved coding capabilities to developers.
Moreover, the Windows 11, version 24H2 update is becoming more widely accessible as Microsoft lifts restrictions on certain PCs. Users with specific applications, like Wallpaper Engine, are encouraged to seek updates to facilitate the installation process.
Reports of a remaster for Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion are gaining traction, with speculation about an imminent announcement backed by leaks. Furthermore, the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 has introduced a text extractor feature, allowing users to copy text from images, which is expected to be rolled out further.
In gaming partnerships, Xbox’s Phil Spencer has acknowledged the importance of supporting Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2, emphasizing its strategic significance in reaching a wider gaming audience. Microsoft has also introduced a new capability in Copilot Studio that enables businesses to utilize AI agents for interacting with websites and desktop applications.
Source
www.theverge.com