Microsoft wants to share something with you. "88% PC gamers use a web browser to get help, track progress, listen to music, or chat with their friends." Absolute scenes. Redmond has now created a solution for those who forget to close Chrome when playing Counter-Strike 2. The Edge browser will now appear within your game.
Microsoft won't allow this to happen: "We think there's a way better." Microsoft has announced Edge Game Assist. This is a custom-made in-game version Microsoft's browser, which integrates with Windows 11's Game Bar (press WinKey+G).
Game Assist will automatically recognize compatible titles and suggest guides and information. Players can also manually search. Microsoft's "game aware" feature supports nine titles at launch, including Baldur's Gate, League of Legends and Minecraft.
Game Assist is pinned to the top of your game. This allows you to follow a guide, without having to alt-tab and check where you are. This window can be resized and moved according to your preferences. It also works with YouTube videos so you can play one while you play the game. If that's what you like.
It can also be used for Discord, Spotify, and Twitch. It boasts that all your Edge browser data is integrated: You shouldn't have to login again. A short and bizarre YouTube video is available that demonstrates the feature, which is not listed on the official Microsoft Edge YouTube Channel: Subscriber count is 18.3K. Ouch!
Microsoft Edge Beta 132 is a preview of Game Assist. The corporation says that more compatible games will be released over time. (It can be used for any game, but it won't make custom recommendations.) Microsoft will be collecting feedback and improving the feature before it is released to the public. It also has a community forum where users can vote for features they would like to see.
I don't know who asked for this but here it is. Microsoft also promises a sidebar that will "make it easy to find services that are important" while gaming. This is me in the Lands Between. I'm always looking for services.
I don't know what niche this fills. The difference between Alt-Tabbing and pressing WinKey+G seems to be very small. I can see some uses, such as overlaying a video chat between you and your friends on the game that you're playing. However, this can be done with Discord Game Overlay. I don't think I use guides often enough to want them on top of my game. The browser also lacks features like right-clicking images and links (unlike the Steam browser, for example), which is bound to become annoying at some point.
To see this, you have to make Edge your default browser. Microsoft never misses an opportunity to pull this one. Some may think I'm being cruel, but there's not much to dislike about Game Assist. It does feel like a solution that is overly complicated.
Interesting news
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