Microsoft Brings ARM64 Game Downloads to Xbox App on Windows on Arm

Microsoft is taking a significant step ahead for Windows on Arm gamers. The tech giant has confirmed that its Xbox app is now finally supporting ARM64 compatible game downloads. Gamers who were using devices such as the Qualcomm-powered Surface Pro 12 previously had to solely depend on Xbox Cloud Gaming to play their preferred games. With this latest update, Windows Insiders can now begin testing local installation of games on their Arm-based PCs for the first time, a feature that has been on the wishlist for quite some time.

Earlier, the Xbox app on Windows on Arm hardware was restricted to streaming games from Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming service. While cloud gaming has been convenient, it is internet speed and stability-dependent. The possibility of downloading and installing native ARM64 games locally revolutionizes everything. Gamers can now experience smoother gameplay, improved performance, and lower latency, making Windows on Arm devices much more competent gaming machines.

This news is particularly welcome for PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. For the first time, certain ARM64 games from the subscription library will run natively on Qualcomm-powered devices. This could pave the way for an expansion of Xbox Game Pass into the expanding universe of Arm-based Windows 11 PCs.

Microsoft has confirmed that both its Xbox and Windows engineering teams are closely collaborating to increase compatibility. The aim is to open up a greater percentage of the Game Pass catalog to Arm users. In the months ahead, Microsoft will also introduce new features that will further improve the gaming experience on these devices.

Xbox app for Arm arrived back in 2022, but then there wasn't much to do with it, as there weren't any natively compiled ARM64 titles. That is changing rapidly, though. With increasing numbers of developers compiling their games on Arm and with renewed attention from Microsoft, Windows on Arm is now an option to consider for gamers.

Gamers can now also visit the Windows on Arm Ready website, a site that details which games are optimized for the platform. This will enable players to easily see titles supported and performing well on their devices.

This action is not simply introducing a new feature but it's an indication of Microsoft's dedication to establishing Windows on Arm PCs as a mainstream gaming option. With Qualcomm and Microsoft reinforcing their bond, we might soon witness Arm-based laptops and tablets going head-to-head with classic x86-based gaming laptops and tablets.

As Microsoft keeps building native ARM64 game support, the distinction between cloud-exclusive gaming and actual local play is getting smaller. This update is a big leap for gamers who care about performance and offline capabilities.