Microsoft Tells Developers: “Make Games for PC”; Windows 11 to Get Xbox Mode in April

The company maintains that the future of next-generation gaming lies in a PC-first development philosophy.

During the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft signaled a strategic shift, advising the developer community that the most effective way to “create for Xbox” moving forward is to “prioritize PC architecture.”

Jason Ronald, Vice President of Xbox, also detailed a significant initiative aimed at blurring the lines between the console and PC ecosystems. According to Ronald, the Xbox FSE (Full Screen Experience) interface—currently featured on handheld devices like the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X—will begin its wider rollout to all Windows 11 systems in April 2026. The deployment will start in select territories before expanding to a global audience.

This specialized interface is designed to let users “transition effortlessly between productivity and play,” providing a controller-optimized, full-screen Xbox environment while maintaining the open nature of the Windows ecosystem.

Source: iXBT.games