Microsoft partners with HowLongToBeat to improve Xbox app on PC
The Xbox app on PC now shows how long it takes to beat a game.
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What you need to know
When shopping for games, it’s important to know how much time you’re going to have to commit to finish a title. Sometimes you want a game you can crank through over a weekend. Other times you want an ongoing quest that will take you hundreds of hours to complete. Microsoft has partnered withHowLongToBeatto provide information on the length of games within the Xbox app on PC.
Most PC Game Pass games will show information from HowLongToBeat. The estimates draw from data submitted by people who have played the games. Since some people just want to complete the main story of a game and others want to complete every single side quest, HowLongToBeat splits things up into categories.
Microsoft breaks downthe four categories that HowLongToBeat covers:
The Xbox app on PC also has an improved Game Details section which makes it easier to view trailers, screenshots, and other content.
The most recent update to the Xbox app on PC also improves launch time by 15% and reliability. “We’ve seen crash-free sessions improve to 99.9%, and player reports of games that didn’t download or didn’t install successfully reduced by nearly half,” said Microsoft. “We’ve also focused on increased relevance for search results, and getting results back is now up to 20% faster.”
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
