Gaming laptops often excel when connected to power but falter significantly on battery, limiting play sessions to mere minutes. Microsoft, in collaboration with the ROG Xbox Ally handheld device, introduces Default Game Profiles to achieve an effective equilibrium between performance and power efficiency.
This feature represents a thoughtful enhancement for the portable gaming system. Recognizing that players typically aim for a desired frame rate in their preferred titles without unnecessary excess—especially considering energy constraints—Microsoft has integrated these profiles through recent software updates for Armoury Crate SE, the Xbox PC application, and Windows 11.
The update covers approximately 40 titles, as noted by Microsoft.
The mechanism involves custom-designed frame rate goals tailored to each individual game, crafted meticulously by Microsoft, according to their official blog. Should a title fail to sustain the intended frame rate, the Xbox app and ROG Xbox Ally device ramp up power delivery to the graphics processor. Conversely, if performance exceeds needs and drains the battery excessively, the system dials back component intensity to conserve energy. For instance, in Hollow Knight: Silksong, these configurations reportedly add a full hour to battery duration while upholding a steady 120 frames per second.
To activate Default Game Profiles on the Xbox Ally, access the Armoury Crate Command Center widget, navigate to the Game Profiles section below, and flip the adjacent toggle switch to the on position.
Accompanying the November enhancements are faster access to the game library, better functionality on the Cloud Gaming interface, and a new Performance filter within the game collection view. This filter helps users assess potential performance levels for titles on their hardware, nicely aligning with the latest profile improvements.
Upcoming features include a save status notifier launching the following week. Microsoft intends to introduce Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and highlight reel capabilities soon, leveraging AI to elevate frame rates. These are slated for early next year, building on the recent deployment of the Xbox Full Screen Experience across Windows-based handhelds.
Mark has contributed to PCWorld over the past ten years, drawing from three decades in technology journalism. He has produced more than 3,500 pieces for PCWorld, focusing on areas like PC processors, accessories, and Microsoft Windows. His work has appeared in outlets such as PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News, earning a Jesse H. Neal Award for news coverage. Lately, he cleared out numerous Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs from his workspace due to space limitations.