👏 A new console update brings customizable boot screens, profile badge showcases, and improved search
☁️ Remote Play gains 1440p resolution support, while Cloud Gaming adds background downloads during streaming
🗣️ Party chat introduces ‘Voice Clarity’ to suppress background noise in supported games
🤝 Microsoft has now partnered with Hideo Kojima for PHYSINT alongside the upcoming Xbox exclusive OD
Microsoft is pulling out all the stops recently to win back the hearts and minds of disillusioned Xbox gamers – and even those who have pledged their allegiance to Sony PlayStation.
As shared on Xbox Wire, a new console update is on the way that lets players choose the boot screen of different Xbox generations, whether that’s Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X|S, or the default ‘We are Xbox’ logo. Sadly, there’s no Xbox 360 or original Xbox boot screens, though perhaps they’ll be added at a later date.
Microsoft is also adding new customization options for players that let them showcase up to five badges they’ve earned on their public profile, and the console’s search functionality is being improved.
Remote Play is getting a surprise update, too, with support for up to 1440p resolution and increased video bitrates for sharper visuals and smoother gameplay on supported devices. You’ll need to make sure your console is set to 1440p or 4K to take advantage of the new resolution bump.
Those who use Xbox Cloud Gaming – despite the new limits – will be pleased to hear that downloads will continue in the background when you stream a game, when network conditions allow, allowing you to play while a game installs or updates without any interruptions.
Party chat, one of Xbox Live’s most iconic features, is also getting an update, with an enhanced audio experience that helps reduce everyday background noise. It’s called ‘Voice Clarity’ and it will be enabled by default in party chat in most games released since 2020.
If the latest Xbox console update wasn’t enough to get excited about, Microsoft announced it has picked up Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT, after the legendary Japanese developer parted ways with Sony.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently visited Kojima Productions in Japan, which is also developing another Xbox exclusive called OD.
Sony announced it was parting ways with Hideo Kojima in a shock announcement on X. Since starting his own studio, Kojima has closely aligned with Sony, using Guerrilla Games’ graphics engine ‘Decima’ to create Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2, both of which released on PS4 and PS5 as timed exclusives.
Up next: Xbox Project Helix release window narrowed down as Xbox CEO hints at multiple next-gen consoles
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.