Xiaomi has taken an exciting step into gaming by developing a new system called WinPlay, allowing users to play Windows games directly on its Android tablets. Following in the footsteps of other projects like Winlator, which enables Windows software to run on Android, this initiative aims to enhance gaming experiences while leveraging the capabilities of Xiaomi's hardware.
The WinPlay Engine is uniquely optimized for gaming, as it tackles the challenges of resource-intensive Windows software. Xiaomi claims that this innovative solution experiences only a minimal GPU performance loss of 2.9%. Unlike many streaming services, WinPlay operates fully on-device, eliminating the need for an Internet connection.
Xiaomi's New WinPlay System for Android Tablets
One of the standout features of WinPlay is its support for Steam, a major platform for PC gaming. This compatibility opens doors for other gaming storefronts as well. While full compatibility is not guaranteed, the system aims to support a wide range of titles, acknowledging that some games may face issues even on traditional Windows setups.
Xiaomi is currently seeking testers for WinPlay, specifically for owners of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 in China. This powerful tablet is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and offers varying RAM options of 8/12/16GB, although specific RAM requirements will depend on individual games.
For those intrigued by WinPlay's capabilities, further information can be found in a post by Zhang Guoquan, Director of Xiaomi Mobile System Software Department. He highlights that the Tomb Raider Game of the Year Edition runs smoothly at an average of 45fps, consuming roughly 8.3W of device power.
WinPlay Engine Performance Demonstration
While Android smartphones have advanced capabilities, Xiaomi has yet to reveal which devices running the HyperOS will support WinPlay. However, tablets featuring HyperOS 2 have a 'Workstation Mode' for enhanced multitasking. Although phones do not currently have an equivalent feature, the focus remains on optimizing the WinPlay experience on tablets first.
A recent demo shared by Digital Chat Station showcases Need for Speed Most Wanted (Limited Edition) running effectively on the tablet with an Xbox controller, and it also supports keyboards and mice, adding versatility to the gaming experience.
