While the “This is an Xbox” campaign didn’t last beyond the tenure of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, the concept of Xbox expanding beyond the traditional console space lives on. With a growing number of gamers gravitating toward the PC experience, especially on handhelds, Xbox is poised to make a quicker transition to this platform thanks to its home in the Microsoft ecosystem. PCs that run Windows 11 are getting the first taste of what the future might hold for gaming beyond a singular platform experience with the arrival of Xbox Mode on many Windows computers. Here’s what we know from the latest update from Xbox.

We have a new update from Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, Xbox and Ian LeGrow, Corporate Vice President, Windows + Devices on the future of Xbox beyond the console. The pair announced that  Xbox mode will begin rolling out in select markets to Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined interface that puts your library and recently played titles within easy reach while minimizing background distractions.

Steam is doing something similar with its eventual launch of the Steam Machine. This race to bring PC gamers into a more familiar console environment, or vice versa if we’re being honest, is going to shape the next decade of gaming. That’s not hyperbole either. More and more kids are growing up playing games on tablets or phones. The idea of a home console being the only place you can play video games is vastly outdated in 2026. There’s a lot of potential in turning computers that are becoming more and more commonplace with things like tech-centric education and the need to have certain tech to work remotely, which makes PC as a platform wildly tempting for the average person.

That said, who can game on a Chromebook? Not really anyone, nor can they likely rely on a cheap Lenovo or Asus device to play Resident Evil: Requiem. The real treasure at the end of the race-to-PC-gaming rainbow is the idea that the Xbox brand can get a head start on becoming central to the way we view gaming on a computer. Not quite equipped with a device that can handle gaming? Welcome to the Xbox Cloud experience. There’s something to be said about the number of rakes Xbox has stepped on in the past, well, decade. That’s not to say there aren’t ways for them to find their way out of this trap. Xbox Mode might be a good place to start.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!