Suppose everything there’s to know concerning the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S? Well, assume once more (or think about this a helpful refresher in case you forgot).
Microsoft’s next-gen consoles promise to deliver a generational leap for gaming, however in addition they include various unique features that you won’t find anywhere else. Without further ado, then, here are 10 Xbox Series X features you may not learn about.
1. Xbox Series X and Series S support Dolby Vision
If you haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing HDR already, it can be a transformative expertise for video games. Though the Xbox Series X and Series S each help HDR10, the Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR format makes use of dynamic metadata to take HDR gaming to the subsequent degree. Dolby Vision is able to 10x better black ranges than HDR10, so you can anticipate excellent distinction ranges and spectacular highlights.
This is the slightly unhealthy information: Dolby Vision will not arrive till 2021, however, it would come to the 2 new Xbox consoles earlier than PS5, if Sony does certainly determine to help it.
2. Enjoy dynamic backgrounds on the dashboard
Dynamic backgrounds might not sound like a big deal, particularly as they have been out there on PS4 for many years – however, the Xbox dashboard will definitely look extra alive now they’re right here.
Further methods to personalize the Xbox dashboard are at all times welcome, and you may assure that we’ll see some nice additions down the road once developers make game-specific backgrounds.
3. You can pre-load games before your disc arrives
Waiting for games to download or set up is an ache, and when you buy bodily games, you should anticipate the disc to reach before the process even begins. Or no less than, you used to.
Microsoft has revealed that any game can now be preloaded from the Microsoft Store, even when you do not own it. As soon as your disk arrives, you merely pop it in, and also you’re good to go: the disc solely acts as a license and all of the files and updates are already put in. Now your game will actually be able to play on day one.
4. Xbox Family Settings app is a blessing for parents
Worried about what the little ones are as much as when they’re playing on the Xbox? Or maybe you’d like extra control over how much your kids play throughout the week? The Xbox Household App appears set to be a blessing for fogeys, who may need extra assist in relation to managing a baby’s total screen time.
Using the Xbox Family App, parents can set play limits and age restrictions, and even handle who they’re in a position to join with. This means if your child receives a buddy request, you may examine it first to ensure that sure, they are surely a buddy, or block them totally.
5. Fast Resume lets you droop and resume multiple games
A game-changing feature if there ever was one, the Xbox Series X and extra affordable Series S each help Fast Resume, which helps you to suspend and resume a number of games at a time.
Whereas the general restrict differs relying on which titles you are working, the power to select up the place you left off throughout a number of games in around 12 seconds or much less means you may by no means need to agonize over what to play. Not the whole lot will work, thoughts you – games with persistent on-line worlds like Sea of Thieves for instance – however Fast Resume is prone to turn into everybody’s favorite new feature to point out off.
6. You can select from three types of spatial audio
While the PS5 is pushing its proprietary 3D audio format, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One homeowners can select between three types of spatial audio. There’s Windows Sonic, which is totally free, Dolby Atmos or DTS Headphone: X. The latter two require a license to make use of, however having the choice means extra gamers will find the appropriate spatial resolution for them, notably as everyone’s tastes are inclined to differ when it comes to audio.
7. You can earn rewards just by playing
Did you know you can earn Microsoft reward factors just by playing your favorite games? That’s proper. Whether or not you are unlocking achievements, completing sure challenges or buying a game from the Microsoft Store, Microsoft Rewards lets you acquire factors that you would be able to put in the direction of competitor’s entries or convert into money vouchers. It is tremendously easy to enroll, and you’d be doing your self a disservice when you do not. Who does not need to be paid to play?
8. Some older games are getting HDR support
The Xbox Series X is already shaping up to be an improbable console for backward compatibility, but one fascinating new characteristic is the way it can add HDR to older games. This applies to each Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles, a few of which had been developed practically 20 years in the past. GTA 4 on Xbox 360 for example, which was launched in 2008, has been confirmed to feature HDR help, together with the unique Xbox game, Fusion Frenzy.
9. You can simply expand your storage
The Xbox Series X comes with a 1TB internal NVMe SSD, which enables super-fast load occasions and new features corresponding to Fast Resume. Nevertheless, with a game set-up sizes getting bigger with each generation, drive area is perhaps at a premium earlier than too lengthy.
Luckily, users can add extra storage because of Seagate’s 1TB Storage Expansion Card, which is particularly designed for Xbox Series X and Series S. It slots into the again of the rear of the system, very like a memory card, and means you may have extra room for games should you require it.
10. Your existing Xbox One accessories work on Xbox Series X/S
If you’ve amassed a small collection of customized Xbox One controllers like I have, you may be relieved to listen to that just about each single Xbox One accent will work on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Which means if you’ve shelled out for the Xbox Elite Wi-fi Series 2 controller or want the Xbox Adaptive Controller to get your game on, you won’t need to half with any extra cash.
Mainly, the whole lot you employ in your Xbox One as we speak simply works on the brand new consoles… apart from Kinect. However hey, nobody’s really bothered about that, are they? Nah, thought not.
So there you have it: 10 Xbox Series X features that you simply may need missed. With November 10 quickly approaching, we’ll quickly be able to pattern all of those new features first-hand. And who knows? Maybe some extra surprises will await on launch day.