The Windows Game Bar is adding a meme maker

The Windows Game Bar is adding a meme maker

Not many people use Microsoft's Windows Game Bar for its main function: recording in-game footage. There are simply too many alternatives out there, from Nvidia's Shadowplay, to AMD's Relive, OBS, PlayTV and even Bandicam. To try and encourage some to give its Game Bar another shot, though, Microsoft is adding some new features to it, including the ability to create memes with it.

The Game Bar will utilize a new widget system that brings with it a few new features, but most importantly allows for expansion in the future. If development and adoption continues, the Game Bar could enjoy an ever expanding set of features, making it the most versatile of game recording software.

In the mean time though, the first additions to the Game Bar widget system are Spotify, allowing for easy-access media streaming from the web while gaming, letting you enjoy custom music without the need to exit the game. There's also the new tool for making memes from the screenshots and footage you take. You simply pull up an image you've created in the Game Bar and add a caption to it. You can then choose how the text is overlayed, where it goes, its font and coloring, and then share it with friends.

Those same friends will be within easy reach within the new Game Bar too, as Microsoft is also implementing a social widget too. It will bring in any friends you have on your Microsoft account, making them easy to chat with while playing whatever game you like. No longer will you be limited to Steam friends only from within a game, just pull up the Game Bar and chat away.

Microsoft has said it may not limit the social widget to Xbox users forever though, so we may see some Discord integration in the future.

If you want to try out the new Game Bar now, you can do so by sighing up to Insider Content within the Xbox Insider Hub on a Windows 10 PC, as per PCGamer.