- Microsoft’s AI helper for games has debuted in Windows 11
- Gaming copilot is in the play bar but it’s only in beta test for now
- Gaming of handheld owners may worry about performance but Microsoft says it optimizes the feature of these devices
As Microsoft promised earlier this year, Gaming Copilot – AI Helper for Gamers – is now on PCs (after previous debut in testing smartphones in the Xbox Mobil app).
Neowin highlighted a blog post from Microsoft that announced that Gaming Copilot (formerly called copilot for games) is now in Game Bar for Windows 11 PCS, although functionality is still in beta test.
This means that Xbox -Insiders (testers) get an icon for game -copilot in the play bar -just click on it to shoot the assistant in Windows 11 on your game -PC (or maybe handheld).
AI understands which game you are currently playing and are designed to help you when you are stuck in a game, and to make it trouble -free – in the Game Bar Overlay – without having to switch to a web browser window to look for tips and so on.
Microsoft also points out that for extra convenience there is a voting state, so – provided you have a microphone – you can talk to copilot to ask for help. AI will also use screenshots of the game running to understand what you are asking for, and hopefully provides more relevant info and guidance as a result.
As noted, this feature is now available on the game line, but only for those in the Xbox Insider program -you also need to make sure the Xbox app on your PC is updated to the latest version.
Note that Microsoft has only implemented this feature to the United States and certain other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore. In particular, Britain and Europe do not get gaming copilot yet, which is unusual and probably tied in data rules.
Analysis: Concerns about handing in the game on handheld
This seems to be a useful feature, despite the shouts from ‘No, no more AI jammed in Windows 11’. I get that mood, but in justice if you are not interested – or are concerned about privacy in some way (with AI ‘to see’ your game) – just don’t use gaming copilot.
As for how useful this AI assistant will be, I haven’t tried it personally, but it looks like a nice time saving. There is a concern when it comes to Windows 11 game handhelds, namely that it will hit performance (and battery life). After all, this is an extra task that takes place in the game (which is the convenience mentioned) – so how can it affect the image speeds?
Microsoft recognizes this concern in his blog post and notes that right now the feature is limited on handhelds. The company advises: “While Gaming Copilot (Beta) is also available now for Xbox -Insiders to try on Windows handheld with limited functionality, additional optimizations are in progress as we approach the launch of ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.”
Of course, if you have your smartphone convenient, you can always use gaming copilot on the other screen – via the Xbox mobile app – and hovering any performance problems (although it is hardly a trouble -free way to work).
There may also be another potential concern here, and it is related to the convenience of having hints and helping to press such an easy way. Will AI-driven abilities like this encourage more laziness in play, with people who go after help after only sitting for a very short time, rather than trying to find out things themselves?
I guess it’s a wider, more philosophical concern about games, and the choice of helping AI seamlessly on a drop of a hat could have more influence than we might imagine in the future. Although the bigger concern will undoubtedly be with AI talking his useful tentacles in competitive games, and Microsoft is already talking about how gaming copilot will offer ‘proactive coaching’ and ‘richer gaming assistance’ in general.
