The Xbox team is continuing its mission to win back fans by implementing some tiny but noteworthy additions and improvements to the Xbox Series X|S interface–and some in the Xbox Insider program can check them out starting today.
Last week, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared the console’s new bootup animation, which select Xbox Insiders can now witness for themselves at startup. The animation emphasizes the Xbox signature color of green a lot more, though the sound is similar to what users are accustomed to.
Enthusiastic achievement hunters might enjoy some new vanity badges that will show up on their profile and the Xbox Guide. These are tiered badges that “evolve” as your Gamerscore increases. These come after Xbox Achievements got a visual refresh through updated icons and animations.
Xbox is adding new tiered badges to your profile based on your Gamerscore.
Finally, the new Xbox update includes a quality-of-life improvement, adding new filters like “Game access” to libraries. That’ll make it easier for users to sort out their installed games–which might include titles owned and titles accessed through Game Pass. And it’s especially useful for players using multiple devices that play Xbox games.
Again, nothing exactly groundbreaking, but nice-to-have additions. It’s clear that the Xbox team, under Sharma’s leadership, is serious about rehabilitating the Xbox brand. Sharma is even openly musing about shifts to the company’s exclusive games strategy, as part of reevaluations and other changes within the Microsoft division.