Microsoft is continuing its push to make the Xbox ecosystem the most player-friendly and accessible in gaming, and its latest dashboard update shows it’s listening closely to its cloud gaming audience. An update to the Xbox dashboard UI is in the works, introducing a slick new feature called the ‘Play History’ tab, and cloud gamers are going to love it.
Cloud gaming convenience, front and centre
Let’s be honest: even with how streamlined Xbox has made things, diving into “My Games and Apps” to dig out your cloud titles isn’t ideal. Fortunately, Xbox is now tackling that minor-but-frustrating pain point with a small but smart dashboard tweak. This new feature will replace the rightmost game tile on the home screen with a Play History folder that’s specifically dedicated to your recently played cloud games.
The new tab displays up to four of your most recent cloud gaming titles in a handy little grid. It’s a clean, fast-access solution for players bouncing between devices, and that’s no coincidence.
Gearing up for the ROG Xbox Ally
This dashboard change is clearly timed with the upcoming release of the ROG Xbox Ally, a Windows 11 handheld device co-designed by Microsoft and ASUS. Revealed at the Xbox June showcase, it’s part of Xbox’s effort to match the convenience of Valve’s Steam Deck, which carved out a passionate niche for handheld PC gaming.
There will be two versions: the standard ROG Xbox Ally, and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X. Both devices are designed to seamlessly run Xbox cloud titles on the go, giving players access to their full library with just a few taps. Slated for release in Fall 2024, the Ally fills the void left after reports suggested Microsoft paused development on its own first-party handheld device.
Will the Play History tab be customisable?
That’s the big question buzzing among Xbox fans right now. While this update is a win for cloud-first gamers, some players are wondering if the Play History tab can be turned off — especially if they rarely or never use Xbox Cloud Gaming. Nobody wants an empty gray box taking up prime dashboard real estate.
So far, Microsoft hasn’t confirmed whether you’ll be able to toggle the feature off, but considering Xbox’s recent trend of offering more customization, it wouldn’t be surprising if a setting is added in the future.
Who can try it now?
If you’re part of the Xbox Insider Program, you may already have access to the Play History tab. Microsoft is testing the feature with Insiders before a broader rollout in the coming weeks. While no specific release date has been announced yet, it’ll likely arrive well ahead of the ROG Xbox Ally launch later this year.
This is Xbox Cloud Gaming, evolved
Xbox’s big bet on cross-platform gaming has never been more obvious. From making first-party hits like Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle available on PlayStation, to linking gameplay across Xbox Series X|S, PC, mobile, and soon handhelds: it’s all about building a gaming ecosystem without walls.
The new Play History tab boosts that initiative by trimming the friction out of cloud play. Grab your ROG Ally on your commute, then pick up where you left off at home on your Series X, and now, your dashboard knows exactly where to guide you next.
Thoughts
Yes, it’s a small UI change. But make no mistake, the Play History dashboard feature is a clear message: Microsoft is serious about making cloud gaming not just viable, but incredibly convenient. Whether you’re gaming on a console, a PC, a phone, or soon, the ROG Xbox Ally: continuity, speed, and simplicity are key.
For now, keep an eye on the Xbox Insider updates. And if you’re one of the lucky few with early access, give the Play History tab a spin, it might just become your dashboard’s new MVP.