Windows 10 gamer enthusiasts can relax now this feature has been confirmed to be available

Microsoft has confirmed DirectStorage will be made compatible with Windows 10 so developers can reach as many PC gamers as possible.

It was originally stated to only be available in Windows 11 and is considered to be one of the three big new PC gaming features coming to the software, but now it will be available to as many as possible, which is great for users that will not be upgrading.

What is DirectStorage?

DirectStorage is an application programming interface (API) that Microsoft debuted in Xbox Series X/S. It is able to bypass the processor to quickly load data into the graphics card that enables it to decrease load times and allow developers to create more impressive visuals.

This will be an impressive feature to use in open-world games such as Final Fantasy XIV and League of Legends. 

The API also provides GPU decompression so developers can compress assets like textures, models, and music to decrease the install size and improve performance and offers options for streaming assets into the game in real-time.

Another feature is DirectStorage can take advantage of the storage software stack inside Windows 11, which will further improve performance and users will be able to do so with Windows 10’s older storage stack too.

Microsoft is committed to ensuring that when game developers adopt a new API, they can reach as many gamers as possible. As such, games built against the DirectStorage SDK will be compatible with Windows 10, version 1909 and up; the same as the DirectX 12 Agility SDK. – Hassan Uraizee.

The wider compatibility of DirectStorage to PCs that have older storage software (such as HDDs) will mean more gamers will have access to this feature, but also it should also encourage developers and publishers to ensure DirectStorage to be considered for new and existing projects. The developers would only need to implement the feature once into the game too, as the SDK will be able to control what aspects of the DirectStorage are available to your device.

DirectStorage does require a PCIe 3.0 NVMe drive or PCIe 4.0 SSD, otherwise, games using the feature will still run off of a spinning hard drive and will not see any performance benefit.

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The post Window 11’s Best Gaming Feature Coming To Windows 10 first appeared on Get2Gaming.

As of yesterday, Xbox Cloud Gaming by Microsoft is available to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with iOS-built products and Windows 10 PC devices. This is after its initial announcement from only two weeks ago that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be launching on Apple devices in the next few weeks, following a limited beta test for a small number of users.

How does Xbox Cloud Gaming Work?

Xbox Cloud Gaming allows users to play hundreds of games from the Xbox Game Pass library from any device that uses a web browser. It’s powered by Xbox Series X hardware in upgraded Microsoft data that centres to deliver faster load times and improved framerates.

Microsoft plans to stream the games at 1080p at up to 60 frames per second, to ensure low latency and offer seamless gameplay across all devices.

How do I get Xbox Cloud Gaming?

The service can be accessed by visiting xbox.com/play on Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Safari on any mobile device or PC, however, it requires an Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscription. It is currently priced at £10.99 to get access to both mobile and PC devices, but Xbox also offers a cheaper subscription for PC users only at £7.99. New users can also get a three month trial period at £1 before £10.99, but the PC only subscription only has that offer for one month.

New Xbox Mobile Gaming Accessories

As well as Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft also announced it is expanding its Designed for Xbox mobile gaming accessory lineup for iOS devices, including the Xbox Backbone One, Razer Kishi Universal Gaming Controller for iOS, and the Otterbox Power Swap Controller Batteries.

The new Xbox Backbone One controller is an iPhone-compatible device for all iPhones with iOS 13 or later, that is “designed to preserve battery life and reduce input latency by harnessing iPhone-exclusive technology, requiring no charging while enabling incredibly responsive gaming“. It has built-in Xbox integrations such as a capture button for sharing gameplay moments.

The Razer Kishi Univeral Gaming Controller for iOS follows after its successful Universal Controller for Android companion, and the Otterbox Power Swap Controller Batteries ensures an “easy-to-use, wireless experience, and delivers uninterrupted gameplay with zero controller downtime“.

It looks like the Xbox Backbone One is only available to purchase from the US store and other selected Microsoft stores, but the Razer Kishi Universal Controller for iOS is available to pre-order from selected retailers worldwide, and the Otterbox Power Swap Controller Batteries are available in selected worldwide stores now.

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The post Xbox Cloud Gaming Officially Launched for iOS and Windows first appeared on Get2Gaming.

Xbox Music is getting a whole new name for Windows 10

Microsoft have recently announced a new name for it’s Xbox Music service, and it is to be called Groove. From 29th July, the service will be released to Windows 10 PCs. Groove will cost $9.99 a month or $99.99 for a yearly subscription. This service will supply owners with “one of the largest catalogs on the planet” and WITHOUT advertisements (woohoo!).

Songs can be downloaded, or streamed, for listening offline, and Xbox One owners can listen to the app whilst playing a game. However, this is currently only available to do via the Snap feature. This feature does actually take up quite an amount of the screen as not really the ideal solution.

The head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has actually said that a feature which allows for music to be played in the background will not come to light until the Windows 10 integration of the Xbox One is completed.

Groove can only be accessed by having a paid subscription to the service. The free version of the app was gotten rid of in December last year. Having said this, users are still able to access a free 30-day trial of the app.

The post Xbox Music – Gets a NEW Name for Windows 10 first appeared on Get2Gaming.

PC to Xbox One streaming

Microsoft investigate!

Microsoft has said that it is also working on allowing the streaming of PC games to Xbox One, having already heard the news that the new operating system will allow the streaming of Xbox One games to PC. It looks like the game streaming properties of Windows 10 will end up swinging both ways…

“We’re actively investigating that right now,” Microsoft studio manager Mike Ybarra told Eurogamer. “We don’t have any further details to share, but it’s something we’re looking at.”

“Right now in the labs it’s 720p/30fps. We’re looking at 1080p/30fps, 1080p/60fps and that is where a lot of what’s your home network – is it wired? – will come in to effect.” Ybarra added in relation to it’s Xbox One to PC streaming tech.

He also went on to add, “So really it will largely depend on the scenario in which someone’s trying to play that. But we’re investigating to make sure that we can give the optimal experience based on what the scenario is for the consumer.”

Kinect Games won’t work for obvious reasons, however, so compatibility will not be universal.

The post Report – Microsoft is Investigating PC to Xbox One Streaming first appeared on Get2Gaming.