Windows 11 is not just a productivity tool, it's a gaming platform, and while it's easy to get caught up in the PS5 vs. Xbox Series X debate, the PC, with its unparalleled graphics performance and libraries that far surpass even the most backward compatible consoles, is arguably the Windows has been the undisputed gaming OS for decades, and Windows 11 looks to continue that trend with three major upgrades.

Sarah Bond, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Game Creator Experience & Ecosystems, explained on the official Xbox Wire blog what Windows 11 brings to the gaming world: HDR color palettes, fast loading SSDs, Xbox Game Pass compatibility, and more, gaming on Windows 11 will probably feel like gaming on the Xbox Series X.

To briefly summarize Bond's post, she discussed three key elements in the Windows 11 gaming ecosystem: Auto HDR, DirectStorage, and Xbox Game Pass for PC. All of these elements are completely unprecedented in the PC gaming world, but each has the potential to make the experience more seamless.

Auto HDR, as the name implies, automatically adds HDR color protocols to games running on DirectX 11 or DirectX 12. Xbox Series X and Series S already utilize this technology and the difference is obvious. Colors look more vibrant and lifelike in both realistic and stylized games; HDR capabilities are not as common on gaming monitors as they are on 4K TVs.

DirectStorage may be the most substantial improvement for Windows 11 games, as it can directly impact gameplay by reducing SSD load times. This technology is part of the Xbox Velocity architecture already used by the Series X and Series S, and is one of the reasons these games load in seconds rather than minutes. Of course, performance will depend on individual SSDs and drivers, and PC SSDs are already quite fast, so the benefit may be modest. However, Bond noted that DirectStorage is only available in Windows 11.

Finally, Bond emphasized Xbox Game Pass for PCs, which is an essential part of the Xbox app in Windows 11. While he admits that this is not much different from how Game Pass works on Windows 10, he exaggerates how many good games can be found on the PC version of Xbox Game Pass, and how many new games, such as Age of Empires IV and Halo Infinite, are scheduled to be available. It's hard to overstate how many new games will be available.

First and foremost, it is worth pointing out that Windows 11's gaming capabilities are not necessarily revolutionary. A high-end SSD can (and does) load as fast as an Xbox Series X, even with the most demanding games.

Still, it is promising that Microsoft is serious about integrating the Windows and Xbox gaming platforms. In the past, Microsoft has been in a cycle of claiming to be serious about PC games, releasing one or two half-hearted ports, returning to its focus on Xbox, and waiting three years or so. Now, finally, Windows games appear to be on par with Xbox, with integrated apps, synchronized release dates, and Xbox Game Pass availability.

When Windows 11 arrives, we can expect to see the same features in PC gaming that made the Xbox Series X a success. These features may or may not make a significant functional difference. However, Microsoft could have easily said, "Windows 11 will run games just like Windows 10" and called it a day. Instead, the company seems to be actively interested in improving the PC gaming experience.

When compared in a head-to-head article between the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, the Xbox won by a narrow margin. This is not because the Xbox is globally superior to the PS5, but rather because the Xbox's interface, game library, and cross-platform compatibility offer the potential for a glimpse into the future of gaming. Gaming need not be a labyrinthine, inaccessible hobby. They can be enjoyed on hardware you already own and should provide a consistent experience whether you are at your desk, on the couch, or in a hotel room thousands of miles away.

Windows 11 has the potential to make PC gaming more accessible than it is today. If Microsoft can pull it off, I can forgive a few aesthetic quirks.