Microsoft is working on a brand new “Game Mode” feature for Windows 10 that will enhance the PC gaming experience by minimizing resources used by running apps to almost nothing and allocating freed up resources to the game, making it run faster, better and smoother overall.
The Game Mode in Windows 10 was initially spotted in a recently leaked build 14997 of Windows 10. The build has a new .dll file called “Gamemode”, According to Microsoft enthusiast WalkingCat, the Game Mode will apparently adjust the resource allocation in Windows 10 when it’s enabled to prioritize games over other applications and processes.
Moreover, it seems like the Game Mode will be part of Microsoft’s Xbox brand just like “Xbox Game Streaming” or “Xbox Game DVR”. Microsoft has yet to confirm the existence of the new “game mode,” but with the release of the major Windows 10 Creators Update scheduled for early 2017, it’s likely we could see it included with that OS update.
Why this matter?
Microsoft prioritized its Xbox gaming products over pure PC gaming for many years. Within couple of years, however, the company’s taken various small, gradual steps to converge the Windows 10 and Xbox ecosystems. As gaming grows in popularity, the flexibility of being able to play on a PC or on an Xbox device could be good for both product lines.
It will be interesting to see what the Game Mode actually does when it’s available for use — it will be quite neat if Microsoft brings the Xbox One UI to Windows 10’s Game Mode, but adjustments to the resource allocation during the Game Mode is also very neat especially if you are into high-performance gaming.
