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Who's up for changing your Xbox's startup animation? Oh yeah!!
These six features begin rolling out to select members of the Alpha and Alpha-Skip-Ahead rings in the Xbox Insider program today (September 9th), and they'll eventually become available for everyone in the weeks and/or months ahead.
We've got some really cool features in here. As I mentioned already, the option to choose which startup animation plays when you turn your Xbox console on is wicked, alongside customisable badges, easier ways to search, better remote play features, and a few other bits.
Let's take a look at all six features, and you can let us know what you think of them in the comments.
1. Customise Your Startup Animation
Players have always made XBOX their own, now they have even more ways to personalize the experience. Earlier this year, XBOX Insiders got a first look at the new startup animation that welcomes players when they power on their console. Starting today, players can choose which startup animation they see, with options spanning from XBOX One through the latest generation. Whether revisiting a favorite era or celebrating their XBOX journey, players can select the experience that feels right for them. This new setting can be found under Settings > System > Startup, where players can also still choose whether the animation plays with sound or not.
2. Personalisation Options For Your Badges
Personalization doesn’t stop at startup. Last month, we gave players more insight into badges they’ve earned. Starting today, XBOX Insiders have more control over how those badges are showcased, with the ability to feature up to five badges in their profile card showcase and hide individual badges from their public profile.
3. More Ways Find Your Stuff
Getting back to the games and achievements that matter most should be simple. Starting today, XBOX Insiders can use a new local search feature to quickly find specific games and achievements within large lists.Available in My games & apps, official club achievement lists, and profile achievement history, local search works alongside existing filters and sorting options to help players find what they’re looking for faster.
4. Smoother Remote Play/Streaming Options
Game from more places with even better streaming quality. With XBOX Remote Play, players can stream from their XBOX consoles to PCs, phones, TVs, and other devices. Now, XBOX Insiders in Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha on XBOX Series X|S can preview higher-quality XBOX Remote Play streaming, with support for up to 1440p resolution and increased video bitrates for sharper visuals and smoother gameplay on supported devices. Because Remote Play uses the XBOX console you already own, it’s available as a benefit to all XBOX players with no additional subscription needed. During the testing period, some devices may not yet offer separate streaming settings for XBOX Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. If your streaming quality is set to Auto, Remote Play will automatically select the highest resolution and bitrate your device and network connection can support, regardless of the resolution shown in the setting. If you’re already using Remote Play, make sure your console’s Display resolution is set to 1440p or 4K UHD in Settings > General > TV & display options to take advantage of these improvements. Otherwise, learn more about Remote Play here.
5. Continue To Download Games Whilst Playing On The Cloud
Since June, XBOX Insiders have had the ability to stream a game while it installs or updates. Starting today, downloads can continue in the background while players stream when network conditions allow, helping reduce wait times and keep gameplay uninterrupted. XBOX Series X|S players will see the biggest gains. Players can find this setting under Settings > Cloud gaming > Streaming preferences and turn it off at any time. As with all Insider features, feedback is welcome.
6. Additional Voice Chat Options
Great conversations start with being heard. Starting today, XBOX Insiders on Xbox Series X|S can test Voice Clarity, an enhanced audio experience that helps reduce everyday background noise, making it easier for players to stay connected and communicate clearly with friends and teammates. Voice Clarity will be enabled by default in party chat and in most games released since 2020. Players can manage this setting at Settings > General > Volume & audio output > Additional options.