Game Mode for Windows 10 will optimize PCs for running games, and while the details on how exactly it will do this haven't arrived yet, Xbox Platform Lead Mike Ybarra confirmed that it will bring benefits to both UWP games typical of the Windows 10 Store, and Win32 games typical of Steam.
Additionally, Microsoft announced improvements to the Xbox dashboard that we've previously revealed, and also reminded us that Beam integration is on the way to Xbox One and Windows 10.
Detailed in a blog post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft offered commentary on features we can expect to hit Windows 10 and Xbox One in the near future.
Beam integration is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10
Beam will connect to your Xbox Live account, making it easy to stream your favorite games to Beam and your Xbox Live community. No extra software is needed and viewers anywhere will be able to watch your streams and interact with your broadcast.
Microsoft purchased the fledgling Twitch competitor Beam.pro in mid-2016 to bring extra value to Xbox Live. The streaming service boasts sub-second latency and will become more deeply integrated into Windows 10 devices when the Creator's Update ships in Spring.
Game Mode is coming to Windows 10
As we've previously detailed, Game Mode is on its way to Windows 10, allowing games to take priority over other processes while accessing hardware resources. Given the fact we know that Game Mode is a UWP feature, we previously speculated that it might be restricted to games in the Windows 10 Store. Mike Ybarra confirmed, however, that Game Mode will also bring benefits to Win32 games typical of Steam. Stay tuned because we're hoping to have more details on how this system works soon, and how it facilitates UWP games on Xbox One and Scorpio as well.
A single-button tap Xbox guide is on the way
We've previously revealed how Microsoft was testing a new Xbox Guide accessible with a single button tap, and Redmond has now confirmed it will emerge from testing to become a proper feature. The new Guide will provide quicker access to Game DVR features, along with other improvements to multi-tasking and new overlays for Achievements, Cortana, and more.
Coming soon!
Mike Ybarra tweeted that the above features and much more are on the way to Xbox Preview Program and Windows 10 Insiders shortly. Game Mode already appeared in the latest Windows 10 Insider build, albeit without any functionality, showing that these features are fast on the way.
What do you think of the upcoming Windows 10 and Xbox One gaming features? Let us know in the comments.
More: Everything we know about the Windows 10 Creators Update
