Xbox releases major console update with new startup animation

Microsoft has rolled out a new Xbox system update worldwide, bringing the redesigned startup animation to all Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S users alongside several new features aimed at improving the overall experience.

The refreshed boot screen first appeared in the Xbox Insider Program last month, leading to confusion among some players who expected it to be available immediately. Following weeks of testing, the update began rolling out publicly on June 10.

Players using Shutdown (energy saving) mode will now see the new animation and accompanying sound each time they power on their console.

Alongside the visual refresh, Microsoft has introduced new Gamerscore milestone badges. Profiles with at least 1,000 Gamerscore will now display a badge that evolves over time, with milestones stretching all the way up to 10 million Gamerscore.

Another welcome addition is a revamped game library. New filters make it easier to distinguish titles players own from games shared by others, while a Game Access filter highlights titles that are installed but no longer playable, such as games removed from Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft has also removed incompatible titles from appearing in a player’s library. For example, Kinect-only games will now only show up on Xbox One consoles that support the peripheral.

The company is additionally rolling out a redesigned Rewards experience to some players. Accessible directly from the Home screen, users can quickly view their points balance, track progress towards the next tier and claim rewards as they become available.

Xbox Series X owners using 4K displays are also receiving sharper Gamerpics and improved game artwork. Xbox 360 profile pictures have been enhanced too, preserving their original pixel art style while appearing crisper when upscaled.

Beyond the new features, Microsoft has addressed several bugs that affected system responsiveness. The update fixes issues that caused some game updates to stall, game cards to become unusable, installation tiles to flicker repeatedly, and recently installed lists to fail to refresh properly.

I’ve always thought some of Xbox’s best updates are the smaller quality-of-life improvements that players interact with every day. The new library filters and Gamerscore badges may not be headline-grabbing features, but they make navigating the console feel more polished.

Players who haven’t received the update yet can manually check by heading to Settings > System > Updates.

Microsoft has confirmed that this update is being released to the general worldwide audience, meaning all Xbox Series X|S users should eventually gain access to the new features.

Source: Pure Xbox