Microsoft is poised to unveil a new update for Xbox console aficionados, potentially streamlining the process of updating installed games on the Xbox Series X/S. This latest update is currently undergoing testing via Microsoft’s Xbox Insider programme.
In today’s gaming landscape, constant updates and iterations are the norm. With virtually all but the most archaic gaming consoles now equipped with internet connectivity, it’s commonplace for publishers, developers, and platform providers to incessantly release updates in the form of patches, hotfixes, and scheduled additions for players to download. Even titles from yesteryears receive updates that can substantially alter their gameplay experience. For instance, Fallout 4 recently received an update aimed at enhancing its performance on hardware and consoles that weren’t even in existence when the game initially hit the shelves.
The forthcoming Xbox console update is primed to potentially enhance the user experience of managing game updates for Xbox Series X/S owners. As per a post on the Xbox support page, Microsoft is trialling a new update that will introduce the concept of pre-downloading game updates. This entails downloading the bulk of an installed game’s files and data to a player’s hardware before said data is officially released and made usable. This innovation will enable games supporting the feature to pre-download necessary files, thereby allowing players to swiftly install updates upon release and promptly dive back into gaming. Among the initial titles to support update pre-loading is Sea of Thieves, facilitated through the game’s Insider programme.
Microsoft’s Xbox system update is currently accessible via the Xbox Insider Programme, specifically within the programme’s exclusive Alpha Ring. The Alpha Ring serves as the crucible for subjecting new system updates and features to rigorous closed alpha testing, accessible solely to those privileged individuals invited by Microsoft. Subsequent to ironing out bugs and transitioning the update from alpha to beta phase, broader testing rings within the Xbox Insider Programme may eventually receive the update. However, Microsoft’s announcement refrained from divulging a precise timeline for the update’s rollout to the wider populace. Past Xbox system updates have typically encompassed bug fixes and alterations to user experience, with the most recent update primarily addressing audio issues during gameplay.
The concept of pre-loading is a well-established convenience feature within the realms of both console and PC gaming, particularly for digital game releases. It allows players to commence downloading game files ahead of their official release date, ensuring they can plunge into gameplay as soon as the titles are launched. Given the escalating size of blockbuster video games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and others, pre-loading has become indispensable for players grappling with sluggish internet connections or constrained download windows. Hence, it’s only logical that this convenience be extended to game updates, especially as their file sizes continue to balloon.
Future Prospects
As Microsoft gears up to deploy this much-anticipated Xbox console update, gamers can anticipate a potentially smoother and more expedient update process for their Xbox Series X/S consoles. With the implementation of pre-downloading game updates, players can bid adieu to the wait times associated with downloading updates on release day, thereby enabling them to swiftly immerse themselves in the latest gaming experiences. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, such advancements serve as testament to the ongoing commitment of platform providers like Microsoft to enhance the gaming experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
