Microsoft could tempt PC gamers away from Chrome with nifty new Game Assist mode for its Edge browser

Date:
Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:30:00 +0000

Description:
Windows 11 gamers can use this new mode to get easy and convenient access to guides and tips while playing a game.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Game Assist mode is part of the Game Bar and is now in testing It pops up a
compact Edge panel right in your gaming session You can look at online tips and guides without Alt-Tabbing out of the game

Microsoft is adding a new feature to the Edge browser that could give it a distinct edge over Chrome (and other rivals), at least for PC gamers.

This is the Game Assist mode, which is now in preview (testing) with
Microsoft Edge beta version 132 , and its part of the functionality
integrated into the Game Bar on Windows 11.

The basic idea is to give you access to, say, game guides or tips while youre playing a game. So, instead of having to Alt-Tab constantly in and out of the game to look at said guide in the browser or have the guide open on your phone, staring at a small screen you can have it right there in your game session.

Game Assist is essentially a mini version of Edge running in the Game Bar overlay, so you can look at those hints and tips or whatever you want and still see the game world, and when youre about to be attacked by a monster or something that might be similarly disastrous if youd Alt-Tabbed out.

This gaming-centric Edge panel shares the same data as the main Edge browser on your PC, so you get access to your favorites, cookies, and so on. Its also trimmed down and streamlined so it doesnt sap resources, Microsoft notes which obviously wouldnt be helpful for gaming.

Furthermore, Game Assist is aware of what youre playing and can surface tips or walkthroughs appropriate to that game. Analysis: Game on!

All in all, this sounds like a great idea providing what Microsoft says
about the Game Assist feature not using too much in the way of resources
holds true. Of course, as its in beta right now, if you do try the capability out, its possible that Game Assist could be wonky in any number of ways.

To begin with, the test version only supports the English language and a selection of popular games. The initially supported PC games include Baldurs Gate 3, Diablo IV, Fortnite, and League of Legends, among others, but no
doubt more will be added as we go along assuming Game Assist makes it out of testing.

We dont see why it wouldnt, as this is a pretty neat idea for gamers who dont have a multiple-monitor setup that allows them to peruse guides or tips on a separate large screen (and not a fiddly little smartphone screen). It also avoids clumsy Alt-Tabbing, as mentioned.

If it works well, this is a feature that we could see persuading a number of PC gamers to give the browser a whirl and perhaps drive more adoption of Microsoft Edge (which is, in fact, already rated as our top pick out of the best web browsers ). You might also like Microsoft's 'helpful' Edge pop-up strikes again, and it's long past time for a chat about boundaries Microsoft Edge is better than Google Chrome, but I can't bring myself to switch How to use Microsoft Edge



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/microsoft-could-tempt-pc-gamers-away- from-chrome-with-nifty-new-game-assist-mode-for-its-edge-browser


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