However, currently this feature is not really optimized for gaming. But the good news is that Microsoft is working on improvements that should make playing Android games more comfortable on Windows 11.
In the United States, the Redmond company has just updated the preview version of Windows 11 (the one that allows new features to be tested before deployment for the general public). And among the new features included in this test version update, there are improvements that target gamers.
For example, in the list of these novelties, Microsoft mentions the compatibility of the Android subsystem with video games with joysticks (mapped on WASD). The subsystem also becomes compatible with gamepads. And it’s also going to support some titles’ aiming functionality, using the arrow keys, as well as the ability to swipe using those keys.
In other words, it would seem that Microsoft is not only planning this subsystem for light games or puzzles, but that it could also support titles such as PUBG Mobile-like Battle Royales (which the you can play on PC using an emulator and a button and joystick mapping system).
Unfortunately, to properly use this Windows 11 Android subsystem, there are hardware requirements. According to the Microsoft site, to use this one, you must have at least 8 GB of RAM, and at least an Intel Core i3 processor of 8th generation, an AMD Ryzen 300 or a Snapdragon 8c.
There is also the question of the catalog. Indeed, Microsoft does not work with Google, but with Amazon. Thus, officially, the apps and games available are those of a list from the Amazon Appstore.
Google is also working on its alternative
However, it should be noted that for its part, Google is also working on an alternative solution to offer games designed for Android on Windows PCs. More exactly, the Mountain View company will offer a Windows version of its Google Play Games.
The beta of this project was launched in January in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. And recently, the firm extended this beta to new countries: Australia and Thailand.
Google has also already communicated on the minimum required to use this new service. The user must have a PC running Windows 10, have an SSD, 20 GB of available storage, a processor with 8 logical cores, 8 GB of RAM and a “gaming class” graphics card:
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600, 700, 800, 900 or 10 series
- NVIDIA Volta-series
- NVIDIA GeForce 16, 20 or 30 series
- Intel Iris Xe graphics card
- AMD Radeon HD 7790, 7850, 7870, 7950, 7970 or 7990
- AMD Radeon HD 8970 or 8990
- AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
- AMD Radeon R7/R9 300 Series
- AMD Radeon RX 400 Series
- AMD Radeon RX 570, 580 or 890
- AMD Radeon RX Vega Series
- AMD Radeon VII Series
- AMD Radeon RX 5000 or 6000 series
A compatibility test has also been provided to allow the user to easily know if his machine is compatible.