Windows 10 Game Mode Reportedly Exclusive to UWP Apps

Last week, we brought you some new information about a hidden Game Mode in Windows 10 beta. According to various reports, the new Windows 10 Creators Update is set to introduce a new gamemode.dll. The new feature is aimed at optimizing system resources to prioritize the game and provide the best experience possible. At the time, speculated that the feature might be limited to UWP games, a fear that appears to be true.

According to Windows Central, their sources have confirmed that the Game Mode feature is restricted to games that built using the UWP and available from the Windows Store. This is a pretty typical Microsoft move if true, aimed at getting buy-in and making certain halo features exclusive to their platform.

Previously, we were unable to ascertain whether Game Mode would be a feature restricted to games built for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), but it does appear that this could be the case. Our information states that games developed for the Windows 10, Xbox One, and Project Scorpio ecosystem specifically need to be “Game Mode enabled” Universal Windows Apps (UWA).

Doubtless, the move is aimed at trying to get more developers to use UWP. While there are likely technical reasons while Game Mode is restricted to UWP apps, I doubt that the issues are insurmountable. Hopefully, Microsoft may reconsider their option and allow more developer and user control over Game Mode and expanding the scope to non-UWP games.