Xbox has updated its game store, adding a new sorting ability that can be used when browsing through its massive catalog. These new options should make it easier for players to find what they’re looking for, what’s currently popular with other players, and to find the best deals on Xbox.
Xbox is having something of a tumultuous period right now, with a shakeup in Xbox leadership and questions about the console family’s future. Some have voiced concerns that the Xbox consoles themselves could be sunsetted in favor of Xbox’s streaming game services, but that has been countered by new CEO Asha Sharma, who has indicated that Xbox consoles will remain the focus for the company.
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Microsoft Store Adds New Sorting Options
Xbox has quietly added some new options for sorting through all the games it has available for sale that gamers may be pleased by. One of the most popular will likely be the discount sorting option, which lets players view discounted games, starting with the ones with the biggest sales. While the best Xbox deals tend to get some fanfare, this sorting option will help ensure that players don’t miss out, especially on lesser-known titles or games with smaller discounts. Players can also sort games according to their base price, going from either low to high or high to low. Last, Xbox has added a new sorting option that lets users look at what players’ most wishlisted games are. This may help users to discover popular and exciting games that other players are enjoying or looking forward to.
User reception to these changes has largely been positive, with many Xbox users expressing how pleased they are to be able to finally sort and filter Xbox games the way they’ve wanted to. However, players are also taking the opportunity to point out that the Microsoft Store is still missing some of the options of its competitors. For example, gamers have asked for a wishlist sorting feature like Steam has, while others have asked for the ability to filter out DLC when looking at the store, which is possible on PSN. The latter seems particularly reasonable, since gamers typically wouldn’t be purchasing DLC until they’ve decided to pick up the base game. Fans have pointed out that it’s a particularly a problem when looking at games that are on sale, since DLC is often discounted alongside their matching game, which can lead to tons of DLC that’s difficult to weed through. Unfortunately, the new sorting options don’t fix this problem.
At the moment, it’s not clear if further improvements will come to the Microsoft Store. However, Xbox has recently shared some information about its future, and seems to be trying to reassure its players of its quality and continued existence. The new Xbox CEO recently stated that part of the goal going forward is a “return to Xbox,” which she notes starts with the hardware, and that there will be some announcements coming soon. Further, Xbox’s new CCO indicated that Xbox is determined to remain a first-party publisher, with a focus on developing games for Xbox. The recent steps to improve the store may be one of many efforts on Xbox’s part to improve the player experience and opinion of the company.
With that said, it’s possible that gaming as a whole could experience a tumultuous future, and Xbox may not be able to avoid it. High demand for hardware by AI companies has led to price increases on components and could pose a problem for future consoles. Nintendo has already stated that increasing the price of the Switch 2 isn’t out of the question due to potentially increased manufacturing costs, and Steam’s new hardware has seemingly gone into limbo as Valve attempts to navigate a fluctuating market and cost for components. While a new Xbox sounds good on paper, time will tell if Xbox can overcome these problems.
