Microsoft is Taking Steps to Make Its Handheld Console Feel More Like an Xbox, One Update at a Time
A recent update to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has been quietly making its way through Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. The update brings about several key changes aimed at making the handheld console feel more like it belongs in the same universe as Xbox consoles.
The update enables so-called Default Game Profiles for select titles, which create preset graphics and system settings to make games run smoothly and consistently across the platform. Currently, 40 games support this feature, including popular titles such as Fortnite, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
One of the most significant improvements is that users no longer need to manually adjust their game's graphics settings or enter specific TDP (thermal design power) levels in the Armoury Crate SE menu. The Xbox Ally X now automatically adjusts these settings based on the game being played, making for a more streamlined experience.
While this update shows promise, there are still some kinks to work out. Microsoft is continuing to refine its gaming ecosystem, and some users have reported encountering bugs, such as difficulty inputting their PIN after waking up the device.
Despite these minor hiccups, it's clear that Microsoft is on the right track in terms of creating a console/PC hybrid experience that appeals to both PC gamers and Xbox enthusiasts. With features like Default Game Profiles, Auto Super Resolution (set to arrive next year), and game save sync indicator, users can expect an increasingly polished gaming ecosystem.
However, some might argue that it's taking too long for these updates to reach the handheld console. The process feels akin to watching an injured man learn to walk again after a car wreck โ slow but steady progress is being made, even if it may not feel like it in real-time.
A recent update to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has been quietly making its way through Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. The update brings about several key changes aimed at making the handheld console feel more like it belongs in the same universe as Xbox consoles.
The update enables so-called Default Game Profiles for select titles, which create preset graphics and system settings to make games run smoothly and consistently across the platform. Currently, 40 games support this feature, including popular titles such as Fortnite, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
One of the most significant improvements is that users no longer need to manually adjust their game's graphics settings or enter specific TDP (thermal design power) levels in the Armoury Crate SE menu. The Xbox Ally X now automatically adjusts these settings based on the game being played, making for a more streamlined experience.
While this update shows promise, there are still some kinks to work out. Microsoft is continuing to refine its gaming ecosystem, and some users have reported encountering bugs, such as difficulty inputting their PIN after waking up the device.
Despite these minor hiccups, it's clear that Microsoft is on the right track in terms of creating a console/PC hybrid experience that appeals to both PC gamers and Xbox enthusiasts. With features like Default Game Profiles, Auto Super Resolution (set to arrive next year), and game save sync indicator, users can expect an increasingly polished gaming ecosystem.
However, some might argue that it's taking too long for these updates to reach the handheld console. The process feels akin to watching an injured man learn to walk again after a car wreck โ slow but steady progress is being made, even if it may not feel like it in real-time.