Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs Face Gaming Compatibility Issues - What's Next?

Despite the impressive performance and battery life of Microsoft's new Copilot+ PCs, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal highlights a major roadblock for gamers.
Arm-based architecture blocks many games from working
The powerful Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chips are incompatible with many popular video games built on Intel's x86 architecture, such as Fortnite. Microsoft's attempt to bridge this gap with software called Prism has not been successful, leading to compatibility struggles for x86-based PC games on Copilot+ PCs. The Wall Street Journal tested over 1300 Copilot+ PCs and found significant issues with running x86-based programs, including Adobe suite applications like Premiere Pro.
Challenges with gaming and anti-cheat software compatibility
It's not just the games but also the anti-cheat software that poses a problem. Many multiplayer games' anti-cheat software is not Arm-compatible, making the gaming experience on Copilot+ PCs less than ideal. Microsoft and Qualcomm acknowledge the issues but have not provided a clear timeline for a fix. While Microsoft may be considering alternative solutions, AMD's Ryzen 300 AI CPUs and Intel's upcoming Lunar Lake chipsets offer hope for improved compatibility in the near future. For gamers interested in using Copilot+ PCs, these advancements could soon provide a smoother gaming experience. Stay tuned for updates on the evolving gaming landscape for Copilot+ PCs.

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