Xbox October Update Brings Faster PC Downloads, Advanced Shader Delivery on Xbox Ally

Microsoft announced new updates for the Xbox app on PC and Xbox Ally handhelds as part of a broad October update for the Xbox ecosystem. The Xbox app should improve download speeds, and a new Advanced Shader Delivery feature on the Xbox Ally will make games launch faster.

“We’ve made improvements to the download tool, allowing the app to better optimize your PC’s internet connection. That means fewer slowdowns and smarter bandwidth usage, especially on high-speed networks,” the Xbox team said about the latest Xbox app update.

For Xbox Ally owners, a new advanced shader delivery feature will preload game shaders during the download process, which will help to make games launch up to 10x faster and use less battery on first play. Advanced shared delivery is currently supported on dozens of games, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Gears of War: Reloaded, Forza Horizon 5, Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and the just-released The Outer Worlds 2. Microsoft is working with developers to get more games on board.

Xbox console players can also look forward to seeing two new modules in the Game Hubs that now appear before launching a game. One of the new modules will show official updates from developers, while the other one will highlight Game Pass in-game benefits when available.

Lastly, Microsoft continues to add more titles to the Stream your own game collection, which now includes over 1000+ cloud-enabled games playable with a Game Pass subscription. Recent additions include ARC Raiders, Jurassic World Evolution 3, Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2, and more.