- Microsoft launches a beta of Copilot for Gaming in the Xbox app.
- Users in select countries can try an AI assistant for achievements, game tips, and downloads.
Microsoft has started rolling out an early version of Copilot for Gaming, its new AI assistant built to support players in Xbox platforms. The feature is now available to some users on iOS and Android through the Xbox mobile app. It acts as a second-screen tool, helping players with tasks like checking achievements, recommending games, and managing downloads.
Copilot for Gaming is meant to reduce setup time so players can focus on playing. Whether someone’s looking for a new game to try, picking up where they left off, or figuring out how to get through a tough section, the assistant is designed to help without getting in the way.
Microsoft first previewed Copilot for Gaming in March on the Official Xbox Podcast. During the discussion, Fatima Kardar, Xbox’s Corporate Vice President of Gaming AI, and Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, explained that many players spend more time browsing, updating, or installing games than actually playing.
Kardar said that games are one of the few types of entertainment where people can get stuck. The assistant is there to offer help at those moments – if players want it. It’s built to be useful, but only when called on.
The early version supports basic tasks like showing recent Xbox achievements, suggesting new games based on a player’s history, and answering questions about gameplay or progress. Over time, it’s expected to support downloading and installing games directly from the app.
Microsoft says the assistant is intended to adjust to individual play styles and habits over time. It adapts to each user’s habits and preferences, offering information that’s tied to their Xbox activity. For example, if a player asks about a specific title, the assistant may know whether they’ve played it before and offer tips or related suggestions.
Taylor O’Malley, a programme manager at Xbox, said the current mobile version doesn’t interfere with gameplay since it works as a companion on a separate screen.
Microsoft is also testing how Copilot could serve as a coach inside games. In demos earlier this year, the company showed how it might help with games like Overwatch 2 by analysing past performance and offering suggestions, like choosing a different character to better fit a team. In Minecraft, it was able to guide players through crafting steps when asked.
The type of in-game assistance is still in development, but it gives an idea of what Microsoft might add in future updates.
User feedback is expected to play a role in shaping future updates. Through the Xbox Insider Program, testers can share thoughts directly in the app. They can also rate Copilot’s answers using a thumbs-up or thumbs-down system in the chat interface.
The mobile beta is currently live in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore, with more regions to be added in the future, but as yet there’s no timeline for broader access. The UK and most of Europe aren’t part of the initial rollout.
Android users can download the beta version of the Xbox app from the Google Play Store. On iOS, players who already have the beta installed can access Copilot for Gaming now. For those who don’t, early access is expected to come soon to Game Bar on Windows PCs.
Microsoft plans to continue testing the addition of AI features by releasing early versions to the community. While many AI-powered tools are still new, the company says it wants to learn from how people actually use them before making them widely available. In this case, the company says it’s focusing on how players actually use the tool, not just on technical features.
