We previously saw strong signs that Microsoft was working on a “game mode” for Windows 10, but it wasn’t exactly clear what that mode would do. Microsoft has since provided some details, via platform engineering head Mike Ybarra.
I suppose an exhaustive breakdown was never on the cards (at least to begin with), but at least Ybarra has confirmed that Windows 10’s “Game Mode” will “optimise” one’s computer to perform better when a game is running, according to this post from Major Nelson:
Our goal is to make Windows 10 the best Windows ever for gaming. With the Creators Update, we’re introducing a new feature called Game Mode. Windows Insiders will start seeing some of the visual elements for Game Mode this week, with the feature being fully operational in builds shortly thereafter. Our vision is for Game Mode to optimize your Windows 10 PC for increased performance in gaming.
Ybarra does go on to mention the more information on the feature will be forthcoming. Just not right away.
There’s also talk of something called “Beam”, which will be “one of the easiest and quickest ways to stream your gameplay”:
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.
The Creators Update: Beam Streaming, Increased Performance, And Fan-Requested Features Are Coming To Xbox One And Windows 10 [Major Nelson]
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11 responses to “Microsoft Confirms Performance Boosting ‘Game Mode’ For Windows 10”
Here we go again, another flaw that shouldn’t even have existed in the first place and need to be fixed.
It’s like they put absolutely no thought into making windows 10 at all, apart from the always-on analytics (spyware).
Well not really. From what’s been released, this will turn a lot of background noise off when a game enters dedicated draw (fullscreen), such as automatically turning off a lot of windows features, and not drawing explorer. There were some programs in the past that did this, such as Razer GameBooster, and nvidia’s version to that in GeForce Experience (Oh noes… Third party integration into windows, what ever shall we do?). It’s taking commonly installed and used programs and integrating them into windows. Win10 already boosts performance for gaming, and this will increase it even more. It’s already become the standard benchmarking system, go figure.
And so you’re aware, the “always-on analytics” can be turned off. There’s 101 guides on how to do this, and you’re even prompted to turn them on or off when you INSTALL Windows 10.
But hey, ignorance is bliss, right?
If its not drawing explorer, what happens with dual/multi monitors? blank/black on the other screen(s)?
which can easily be disabled during install if you ever bothered to read anything.
Bonus hypocrite points if you posted this from Google Chrome
I want them to optimise for normal programs running…
I bet this new ‘optimised’ game mode still involves a lot of shit people will wish they could disable/uninstall so it isn’t running in the background for no good reason… Which will be business as usual for Windows really.
Don’t get me wrong, after some fiddling about with Windows 10 to disable/uninstall a lot of things I like it as much 7… But the apps that tried to restart/reinstall themselves repeatedly, etc, just fuck off with that already.
I don’t want Candy Crush, or a Twitter app on my fucking desktop computer, and I don’t use OneDrive… Take the goddamn hint Microsoft.
Imagine if you had to use an apple…
Turn off the Windows Store and these will no longer appear for you. It’s because you have it turned on that it happens. Also, you need to disable and not uninstall a bunch of those, as Windows is set to automatically install them with every update to ensure all programs and apps signed my Microsoft are up-to-date. It’s a policy older then Windows 7.
Beam is a Twitch/Hitbox rival that Microsoft bought last year.
Most likely will only work with games launched through the win store, the bastards
i imagine it will integrate with the xbox stuff which works in every game (green bar that pops up when you launch a game)