Culture news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Xbox is bringing back startup animations from its console history
Microsoft is rolling out a batch of new Xbox console features to Insider testers, including custom boot animations drawn from the console's history, a local search tool, and improved Remote Play and voice chat quality. The update reflects Microsoft's ongoing effort to refine the Xbox software experience with quality-of-life and nostalgia-driven personalisation features ahead of a potential wider rollout.
Testers will be able to choose between the Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X/S and the newer "we are Xbox" startup animations, though the original Xbox and Xbox 360 boots are not included. Other additions include a local search feature for finding games and achievements in large lists, Remote Play support for up to 1440p resolution with improved bitrates on Series X/S, the ability to keep downloading in the background while cloud streaming, and a Voice Clarity feature to reduce background noise in party chat, enabled by default in most games released since 2020.
In short
- Xbox Insiders can test retro boot animations from Xbox One onward
- New local search helps find games and achievements faster
- Remote Play, cloud downloads and voice chat quality all improved
Explained simply
Xbox is Microsoft’s video game console brand, and its system software covers features such as starting the console, finding games and talking to other players. Xbox One launched in 2013, followed by the more powerful Xbox One X in 2017 and the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2020.
Microsoft lets selected players, called Insiders, try software changes before they reach other users. The startup animations are brief sequences shown when a console turns on; letting players choose among them adds a way to personalise the experience and revisit parts of Xbox’s history.
The update also touches everyday use, including searching local game and achievement lists, streaming games from a console to another device, and reducing background noise in party chat. These features matter to players who use large libraries, play away from their console or chat while gaming.
Art Business Celebrity Companies Culture Entertainment Gaming