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Announcements

Xbox October Update: ROG Xbox Ally Available Now, Handheld Compatibility Program, and More

Dean Shimabukuro, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Xbox Services Marketing
October 30, 2025 · 9 min read

Over the Summer we’ve introduced a wave of new features and devices designed to make gaming more seamless, personalized, and rewarding – whether you’re at home, on the go, or diving into cloud play. As we move into the Fall, we continue our quest to add improved innovation for our players.

First up, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, portable gaming handhelds that deliver premium gaming performance for PC gaming, are now available to purchase. We also launched the Handheld Compatibility Program, making it easier to identify which games are optimized for handheld play.

On PC, we’ve improved download speeds and optimized bandwidth usage, making it easier to jump into your games faster and with fewer slowdowns. Game Hubs have been updated on Xbox consoles with new modules that surface Official Club news and Game Pass benefits, so players can stay plugged into publisher updates and unlock more value from their subscriptions.

And in case you missed it, new The Outer Worlds 2 controllers are available and Xbox Series X|S consoles have new dynamic backgrounds. Read about these and much more below.

Here’s What’s New

ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X – Available Now

Experience seamless PC gaming on the go with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Whether you’re all-in on performance or just want to jump into the action, the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds have you covered. The ROG Xbox Ally delivers a smooth PC gaming experience for casual players and enthusiasts alike, while ROG Xbox Ally X is built for those who demand top-tier performance. On both devices, you can get help, insights, and recommendations from Gaming Copilot with the press of a button. These handhelds deliver everything you need to play your way – grab yours now!

Handheld Compatibility Program – Helping Players Play Smarter

We’ve introduced the new Handheld Compatibility Program to make it easier for you to identify which games are optimized for handheld play. This update is now visible on product detail pages across all Windows devices and featured in the handheld compatible channel on Home on supported Windows handhelds.

To support informed choices, a compatibility notification will appear before installation or purchase if a game is not currently Handheld Optimized, helping you understand how a game will play on handheld. [Back to Top]

PC Gaming Updates

Faster Downloads, Sharper Experience

We’ve rolled out updates to the Xbox PC app that improve download speeds so you can jump into your games faster. These changes are rolling out now to Xbox Insiders and will be available to all players soon.

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.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to making Xbox on PC faster, more responsive, and tuned to player feedback. We’ll continue listening to feedback and monitoring performance as the rollout expands. [Back to Top]

Xbox Console Updates

Official Clubs and Game Pass Benefits Update

Stay plugged into publisher updates and unlock more value with Game Pass. Game Hubs now include two new modules designed to keep you informed and engaged. The first provides the latest news from Official Clubs (where available), while the second highlights any Game Pass in-game benefits tied to the title. These updates have started to roll out and will soon appear alongside existing modules like Your game stats and Available add-ons, making it easier than ever for you to discover what’s new and take advantage of what’s included. [Back to Top]

In Case You Missed It

Xbox Accessories – The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Step into the sequel with gear that’s ready for the mission. The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 bring bold new designs inspired by The Moon Man and the galactic rifts threatening humanity’s survival. These aren’t just controllers; they’re your ultimate weapon in the Arcadia system. Available now through Xbox Design Lab, both options let players gear up with style and purpose.

Xbox Console – Dynamic Backgrounds

Battlefield 6, Keeper, The Elder Scrolls Online, and The Outer Worlds 2 all introduced new dynamic backgrounds for Xbox Series X|S consoles, allowing you to customize your console and celebrate these exciting new games. [Back to Top]

Game Additions

ROG Xbox Ally: Advanced Shader Delivery – Launch Faster, Play Smoother, Game Smarter.

We’re making your gaming experience even better with advanced shader delivery – now available for supported titles on ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.

This new feature preloads game shaders during download, so select games launch up to 10x faster, run more smoothly, and use less battery on first play.

Today, advanced shader delivery is supported on select titles, with more coming soon. Here is the list of current supported games:

Xbox Play Anywhere – Buy once, play anywhere

Over 1,000 games now support Xbox Play Anywhere, making it easier than ever to switch between PC, console, and supported handhelds, at no extra cost to you. Jump into games like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Silent Hill f now. Your progress travels with you, including saves, add-ons, and achievements. Just sign in with your Xbox account on any device and pick up right where you left off.

These are the games added to the Xbox Play Anywhere collection in September:

Check out the full list of available games that players can enjoy anywhere.

Stream your own game – Over 1000+ games

We’re continuing to grow the Stream your own game collection in Xbox Cloud Gaming. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can now stream from a library of 1000+ games they own, across supported devices. That includes titles like ARC Raiders and Jurassic World Evolution 3.

More games, more flexibility, and more ways to play – wherever you may be.

Recently added:

Check out the full list of cloud-playable games available to stream on supported devices here. For more information on Stream your own game, learn more here. [Back to Top]

More games added to Retro Classics

Great games deserve to stick around, and we’re making sure they do. Xbox and Antstream Arcade are bringing retro favorites to modern devices with Retro Classics available on Game Pass, so players can keep enjoying the classics. With over 1 million players already diving into Retro Classics, here’s a look at the titles that have been recently added to Retro Classics.

Game Pass members can join weekly tournaments like the Maze Reaper tournament happening now, take on community challenges and enjoy a growing library of Activision and Blizzard games with the Retro Classics collection set to expand to more than 100 titles over time. Click here for more information on Retro Classics.

Xbox adds mouse and keyboard and touch controls for more games

Xbox supports the use of wired USB mice and keyboards for navigation in select games and apps, as well as across Xbox and Windows devices.

For players enjoying Xbox games on mobile, Xbox touch controls deliver a controller-free experience for hundreds of titles. Today, there are 130+ games with mouse and keyboard support active on cloud and 230+ games with touch controls available on cloud, giving you more ways to play than ever before.

Some games even provide custom control overlays or render their own touch layouts, creating a tailored experience for each title’s unique gameplay. Learn how to set up and customize your touch controls here. [Back to Top]

Here are the latest titles added this month:

Mouse and keyboard:

Touch:

For support on setting up devices, see here for more details.

Help Shape the Future of Xbox

Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and the latest and greatest Xbox news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.

We love hearing from the community, whether it’s a new feature idea or feedback on something we can improve upon. Xbox is always evolving, and your input helps shape what’s next. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. [Back to Top]

Happy gaming!

Editor’s Note (October 30): We’ve clarified in the Faster Downloads, Sharper Experience section that the download speeds update for the Xbox app for PC is only rolling out for Xbox Insiders for now. We also corrected the Forza Motorsport game title listed in the Advanced Shader Delivery section.

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Announcements Cloud Gaming Consoles Games Mobile Gaming PC Gaming XBOX Game Pass Dynamic Backgrounds pc gaming ROG Xbox Ally Stream Your Own Game xbox accessories Xbox October Update Xbox Play Anywhere
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