With Edge Game Assist, Microsoft Released an in-game Browser That Offers Game Guides, Hints, and More

The Edge browser from Microsoft is getting a new feature that may give it a clear advantage over Chrome and other competitors, at least for PC gamers.

For PC gamers, Microsoft on Friday unveiled Edge Game Assist, an in-game browser with capabilities specific to games. Currently in preview, the browser is a customized version of the Edge browser designed to offer gaming hints, instructions, and other features without any issues. Game Assist will include users’ Edge browser data from their PC and mobile devices in addition to surfing with a gaming focus. PC users using Microsoft Edge Beta 132 on Windows 11 may now access the in-game browser.

This is the Game Assist mode, which is a feature included into the Game Bar on Windows 11 and is now in preview (testing) with Microsoft Edge beta version 132.

The main concept is to provide you with information while you’re playing a game, such as gaming instructions or tips. Therefore, you can have the guide open in your gaming session rather than continually Alt-Tabbing in and out of the game to see it in the browser or having the guide open on your phone as you stare at a tiny screen.

With Windows, Edge Game Assist may be accessible in-game using the Game Bar overlay, enabling players to surf the Web while still playing. 88 percent of PC gamers use a web browser to view media, connect with friends, track their progress, and seek game support, according to Microsoft.

These activities take you out of your game since they need you to take out your phone or Alt-Tab to the desktop on your computer. In a blog post introducing the Game Assist browser, the Xbox parent company stated, “You can’t see what’s happening in the game while you’re in the browser or refer to a guide while you play unless you have multiple monitors.”

On top of the game the user is playing, Game Assist will show up in the Game Bar. According to Microsoft, “it’s game-aware and will suggest tips and guides for what you’re playing.” Game Assist will also remember user browser data collected by Edge on PC and mobile devices, including as cookies, form fills, history, favorites, and more. Additionally, social services like Spotify, Twitch, and Discord, as well as any other website or site on the sidebar, will be easily accessible through the in-game browser.

Users may view a gameplay instruction video while playing their game by pinning the browser above the game, which functions effectively as a Game Bar widget. Pressing Win+G will bring up the Game Bar overlay, which includes in-game widgets like Xbox Social for tracking achievements and interacting with friends, screenshot and gameplay clip capture, audio settings adjustment, game performance monitoring, and access to services like Teams, Spotify and more.

It is possible to move and resize Game Assist to occupy a specific section of the screen. A few game-aware features are also included. According to Microsoft, the in-game browser would show a unique collection of gaming tabs and sidebar apps. It will highlight useful information, such as gaming tips and suggestions, when users open a new tab.

At the moment, the feature preview covers a number of well-known PC games and is localized in English. Microsoft stated that it will keep improving Game Assist in response to player comments. Baldur’s Gate 3, Diablo IV, Fortnite, Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, League of Legends, Minecraft, Overwatch 2, Roblox, and Valorant are among the titles that it presently supports. Microsoft promised to gradually provide game-specific advice and tutorials. Web-based instructions for any game are still accessible to players.

Game Assist is now available to the public as an opt-in preview. Users must ensure that Windows and the Game Bar are up to date before they may test the browser. Additionally, this feature needs Microsoft Edge’s Beta or Preview channel. Users need to also make Edge Beta their default browser. To do this; go to Settings and more (“…”) > Settings in Edge, type “Game Assist” into the search bar, and then choose Install widget.