Xbox Ally Receives Major Update with Default Game Profiles, Boosting Performance and Battery Life
Microsoft is significantly enhancing the gaming experience on the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds with a new update rolling out today, headlined by the introduction of Default Game Profiles. This marks a tangible step forward, as described by a company representative, in realizing the vision for future Xbox consoles as articulated by Xbox president Sarah Bond.
The update addresses a key user need: streamlining the often-complex process of optimizing game settings for handheld play. Previously, ROG Xbox Ally users benefited from ongoing software support and bug fixes from ASUS, but lacked substantial feature additions from Xbox itself. Now, Microsoft is delivering optimized settings for 40 titles at launch, designed to automatically balance frame rates and power consumption.
These Default Game Profiles aim to provide “smoother, more enjoyable gameplay and extended battery life, without requiring manual adjustments,” according to the Xbox Wire post detailing the update. For example, players of Hollow Knight Silksong can now expect up to an extra hour of playtime thanks to the optimized power consumption delivered by the new profile, all while maintaining a consistent 120 FPS.
Importantly, users aren’t locked into these pre-configured settings. The system allows for full manual customization to suit individual preferences. The Default Game Profiles will also activate automatically only when the ROG Xbox Ally is running on battery power, preserving performance options when plugged in. “When you launch a supported game, the system automatically applies a tailored game profile, which sets recommended power (TDP) and a FPS limit specific to the game,” the official announcement clarifies.
While 40 titles are supported from the outset, Microsoft has initially highlighted 16, including:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- DOOM Eternal
- DOOM: The Dark Ages
- Fortnite
- Forza Horizon 5
- Gears 5
- Gears of War: Reloaded
- Gears Tactics
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Hollow Knight Silksong
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Minecraft
- Sea of Thieves
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
Currently, games optimized for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are indicated with a “Handheld Optimized” notice on their respective store pages. However, there is currently no dedicated tag identifying games that specifically support the new Default Game Profile feature. One user noted that The Outer Worlds 2 supports the feature despite not being listed among the initial 16 highlighted titles. Microsoft may add a dedicated tag in a future update to improve discoverability. For now, users will need to launch a game to determine if the Default Game Profile option is available within the Armoury Crate Command Center.
Beyond Default Game Profiles, today’s update includes several other improvements:
- Improved gamepad response after login
- Quicker Library loading, particularly for users with extensive game libraries
- Enhanced Cloud Gaming page performance, with faster loading times and improved responsiveness
- A new Game Gallery filter based on Performance Fit, helping players assess game compatibility
- General bug fixes and performance enhancements for increased stability
Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to release a Game Save Sync Indicator next week, addressing a frequently requested feature. “With clear status updates, you’ll know exactly when your progress has synced to the cloud, whether you’re wrapping up on your PC or powering down your handheld. No more guessing or lost progress,” the announcement stated.
For those interested in learning more about the ROG Xbox Ally devices, further insights can be found in an interview with ASUS executives Whitson Gordon and Sascha Krohn, and in a detailed review of the ROG Xbox Ally X.
