Microsoft tests a new design for Xbox Games & Apps section interface – Times of India

The Games & Apps section on the Xbox app allows users to browse all of their installed content and games that are available for download. According to a new report by WindowsCentral, Microsoft is testing a new interface for this section with the latest build of Xbox Insider Alpha Ring. The company has introduced some notable changes to the Xbox dashboard with recent updates. As per the report, one of the most prominent changes among them is the inclusion of Discord which is also currently available only for the members of the Xbox Insider Program.
Xbox Games & Apps section new interface: Availability
The redesigned version of the Xbox Games & Apps library is now available as part of the Xbox Insider Program. This new interface is expected to be rolled out to the general public in the coming weeks, the report suggests.
How does the new interface look
As per the report, the new interface has remodelled the “Full Library” section of the Xbox dashboard which was “a little cluttered” in its previous design. The report notes that the new design features “a tabbed interface with horizontal labels,” for various types of content.

The new interface separates the “Owned games” section which includes the games that users have purchased from libraries like — Xbox Game Pass or EA Play. Moreover, each section will have a design with specific features for the respective pools of content, the report adds.
For instance, sections like — “recent additions” or “leaving soon” will be available only in the “Xbox Game Pass” tab, instead of being in the “owned games” list. However, users will still get the regular filters which are already available along with the ability to change the sizes of the tiles to fit more content on a single screen, the report states.
According to the report, the new sections will be named — All games, Owned games, Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, Games with Gold and a section for content streaming apps (like — Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and more).
Why Microsoft is testing the new interface
The report speculates that Microsoft might be testing this “streamlined section” to include other gaming subscription pools in the library in the upcoming days. Recently, a Twitter user discovered Ubisoft+ assets in Xbox’s back-end.

Microsoft is reportedly exploring a partnership with the Assassin’s Creed publisher which is similar to what Xbox Game Pass has with EA Play. Ubisoft+ is already available as an independent service on PCs, however, the subscription to this platform can also be purchased as part of PlayStation Plus membership and is also available with Amazon‘s game streaming service Luna.
Furthermore, subscription services are likely to be an important part of AAA publishers’ revenue streams. Microsoft is most likely changing the design of the Xbox Games & Apps library to accommodate that, the report claims. Xbox has continued to add new features to its Game Pass service and has recently announced a Friends & Family plan.