Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot Falls Short, Offering Obvious and Often Wrong Advice

Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot, now available on the ROG Xbox Ally X and integrated into the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11, is meant to assist players with in-game guidance through AI-powered chat. However, early experiences suggest it often fails to deliver meaningful help, instead offering obvious, incorrect, or unhelpful advice with an overconfident British accent that can feel patronizing. In demos, the AI was shown guiding players in Final Fantasy XVI, stating the obvious—like pointing out a quest marker literally in front of them—despite clear visual cues already present. When asked how to reach the blacksmith, the AI ignored the prominent icon on the map, reinforcing the impression that it assumes players are incapable of reading a screen. On the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, users can activate Copilot via the Armoury Crate button, choosing from voice options like “wise” (which sounds bored) or “heroic” (a British accent). The AI responds to voice or typed queries, but its performance raises concerns. In Hades II, when asked about obtaining Kudos, it correctly mentioned completing runs but failed to note that selling items to the Wretched Broker is another valid method. The real issue lies in how the AI disrupts the core experience of gaming. Discovery is a fundamental part of gameplay—something that sets games apart from other media. In Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, players are encouraged to explore multiple paths downhill during a high-speed chase. The joy comes from navigating creatively, not from being led by a bot. Asking an AI to solve such moments breaks immersion and undermines the design intent. Even worse, the AI frequently gives incorrect advice. In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it incorrectly claimed the item wheel was accessed via the bumper button when the game uses the d-pad. It also suggested players “nudge the thumbstick” to lean, when the correct input is a directional click. These errors highlight a deeper problem: the AI doesn’t understand the specific mechanics of the games it’s meant to assist with. The tool also can’t adjust system settings, despite being marketed as a helpful assistant. After a long conversation about optimizing performance, it recommended lowering the resolution to 720p and setting graphics to medium—advice that contradicts the device’s actual capabilities, as 1080p at 40 fps is achievable on the $1,000 handheld. While the feature is still labeled “beta,” there’s potential for improvement. Microsoft is already testing Copilot Actions, which can automate tasks on the PC. If the AI can learn to tweak settings, manage updates, or resolve compatibility issues, it could genuinely enhance the gaming experience by handling tedious setup tasks. But for now, Gaming Copilot feels less like a helpful assistant and more like a poorly trained guide that assumes players are clueless. It’s not about doing the game for you—it’s about making the process of getting into the game smoother. Until it learns what a d-pad is, it’s unlikely to earn trust.