Microsoft Tests Xbox App with Battle.net Integration: New Update Adds Third-Party Game Library Aggregation

Man, Microsoft is at it again. So, imagine opening your Xbox app on your PC and bam—all your games in one spot. Yep, they’re testing this crazy idea of smooshing together game libraries from other places, right into the Xbox app itself. Like, can you picture it? It’s just for Xbox Insiders now, those lucky ducks, and they’re starting to fiddle with it on these handheld gizmos, ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X and whatever they’re called, later this year.

Okay, this feature? It’s gonna be like your one-stop-shop for all your games, but yeah, there’s a catch or two. Only if they’re from certain stores. Like, what’s the deal with that? Battle.net’s in the game, and also EA and Riot Games, but those last two are already kinda doing their thing here ’cause of Game Pass magic. Microsoft blabbed about adding more stores down the line. Fingers crossed for Steam and Epic; otherwise, what are we even doing here?

And, oh man, if Microsoft pulls this off with the big fish like Steam, then we’re talking about PC gamers living the dream. Everything under one roof, just like consoles. Sure, GoG Galaxy does something similar, but let’s face it—Xbox app’s probably going to be the hip place to be since, you know, Windows 11 and all that jazz.

This stuff? It’s like Microsoft saying, “Xbox is more than just a box,” or whatever. Think Game Pass, right? Crossing lines between Xbox and PC, and now they’re throwing in this whole handheld thing. Instead of making their own Xbox handheld, they’re tweaking Windows 11 for others. Guess that’s efficient. Or lazy. Maybe both?

They’re keeping quiet about when everyone can play with this new toy on all PCs. But with the ROG Ally thing kicking off during the holidays, maybe we’ll see it everywhere else, I dunno, end of the year? 2026? Who even knows how these timelines work anymore?

Anyway, keep an eye on it, or don’t, whatever suits your fancy. Just throwing this out there.