In a nutshell: When it comes to accessing the internet during gaming sessions, PC gamers already have plenty of third-party tools to choose from. Steam introduced its own in-game web browser a while ago, and Microsoft is now interested in doing the same.
The Redmond corporation said that the newly introduced Edge Game Assist is the first in-game tool designed to offer a "rich" gaming-centric browser experience. Now available in preview form, Edge Game Assist is a new feature linked to the Game Bar overlay that can provide additional information and content based on the specific game being played.
Game Assist is essentially a special version of the Edge browser optimized to run on top of the Game Bar, Microsoft explained. It is presumed that "optimized" means that very few CPU cycles are required to drive the browser, as Windows gaming software is traditionally designed to have almost exclusive access to hardware components and system resources.
Edge Game Assist will suggest tips and guides related to the game currently being played, and shares the same data as the system's main Edge browser. Microsoft is clearly pushing people to use its native, Chromium-based browser, as favorites, cookies, and services such as Discord, Twitch, and Spotify can be accessed with ease in a common Edge environment.
Like other Game Bar widgets, Game Assist can also be pinned on top of a game so users can watch a video while they are playing. This could be a great addition for those who struggle with following written guides or dealing with particularly cryptic RPG experiences, though it could also spoil the fun in a non-trivial way.
Microsoft carried out its own research, discovering that 88 percent of PC players use a web browser while they are in-game. A significant portion of those PC gamers (40 percent) are also routinely looking for guides, tips, and how-tos. A tool like Edge Game Assist can help without forcing users to check their phones or go back to the Windows desktop.
The initial preview of Game Assist is currently available in English only, with support for some of today's most popular PC games, including Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Minecraft, Roblox, and Overwatch 2. However, the final version should be able to work with any game. The new feature is only available in Windows 11 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2, through all the Windows Insider channels. Installation of Microsoft Edge Beta 132 is also required.