November 2020 update with no days to spare
Sony and Microsoft have taken wildly divergent paths in their approach to their new console’s first system update. Earlier this month, PS5 got an 800MB update that was simply detailed as “improves system performance.” Xbox Series S/X’s first update has begun rolling out now, and we know everything about it.
In a very comprehensive post, Microsoft outlined everything that’s new to Xbox Series S and X. The most exciting inclusion is dynamic backgrounds. The first smattering has six animated backgrounds that are mostly based off of various Xbox branding throughout the generations. This implementation opens the door for premium backgrounds based on various games. It’s something PlayStation has had for a long while now.
Next-gen console update:
🌊 More dynamic backgrounds
✅ Optimized for Series X|S badges
👀 Auto HDR indicatorAnd, somehow, even more. Full details here: https://t.co/MNTJqot5Ab pic.twitter.com/b5iA7jHE1w
— Xbox (@Xbox) November 30, 2020
Here’s what the rest of the update does:
- Adds the “Auto HDR” tag for games that support this feature.
- Adds “Optimized for Series X|S badges to the game tiles inside the library screen. There’s also a corresponding filter for this.
- Moves achievements into the “Game Activity” tab within the quick guide.
- Enables the option to add family members’ accounts from the console setup stage.
- Adds the ability to pre-install some games that are coming to Xbox Game Pass.
All in all, it seems as though Microsoft will take the same approach to updates that it took through most of the Xbox One’s lifespan. There will be a frequent cadence of smaller changes that steadily improve the console’s functionality. It means there’s rarely a time when there’s a hugely impactful update, but it also means the Xbox user experience is constantly improving slowly but surely.
November 2020 Xbox Console Update Begins Rolling Out on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One [Xbox Wire]
