Xbox Console Update Begins Rolling Out on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

Highlights:

• The November 2020 Xbox Console Update is beginning to roll out for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One family of devices.
• Xbox Series X|S owners get more dynamic background options and an Auto HDR indicator in the guide.
• “Optimized for X|S” badges make it easy to know which games are ready for Xbox Series X|S.
• Xbox Game Pass members can browse and pre-load games with a new Coming Soon section.

This month marked the start of the next generation of console gaming on Xbox with the release of Xbox Series X|S. This month’s release includes new options for dynamic backgrounds, new “Optimized for Xbox Series X|S” badges that make it easier to know which games are optimized for the next generation, a new way to discover games in Xbox Game Pass, the ability to add existing Xbox family members to a new console, and the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

Next-gen console update:
🌊 More dynamic backgrounds
✅ Optimized for Series X|S badges
👀 Auto HDR indicator

And, somehow, even more. Full details here: https://t.co/MNTJqot5Ab pic.twitter.com/b5iA7jHE1w

— Xbox (@Xbox) November 30, 2020

Personalize your Xbox Series X|S with new dynamic background designs

Dynamic backgrounds are a new feature for Xbox Series X|S, giving gamers the ability to customize their home screen with motion and color. This update adds six new options, including homages to previous generations of Xbox consoles and others based on popular profile themes.

Identify which games are using Auto HDR with new tech tags

Xbox Series X|S is the best place to play thousands of games from across four generations of Xbox. Besides decreased load times and improved frame rates, Xbox Series X|S customers enjoy improved visual quality with a feature called Auto HDR. When the Auto HDR setting is turned on in your console, it can improve the visual quality of a game without changing its overall look with no additional work from the developer. When you open the guide during a game with Auto HDR running, you’ll see a new tag to let you know the game is benefiting from this feature.

“Optimized for Series X|S” badges let you know which games are optimized

Xbox launched over 30 games fully optimized for Series X|S, including Assassins Creed: Valhalla, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and The Falconeer. Many of your favorite Xbox One games – including Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps – have released updates to take advantage of the increased performance of Xbox Series X|S. To make it easier to see which of your games have been optimized, Xbox devs have added an “X|S” badge to their tiles in My Games and Apps, in both the Games and Full Library views. You can also use the Filter button to see only “Optimized for Xbox Series X|S” games.

Check your achievement status in the Game Activity tab

The Game Activity tab is your single place in the guide to explore things to do in the game you’re currently playing. Hunt those achievements, easily join your friends or others playing the game, or discover in-game events, right from the comfort of the guide!

Pre-install games that are “Coming soon” to Xbox Game Pass!

You can now view, add to “Play later,” and even pre-install certain games before they come to Xbox Game Pass. Just head over to the Xbox Game Pass app on your console or mobile device and look for the “Coming soon” section. While not all games that are “Coming soon” can be pre-installed, Xbox devs developed a special feature for the Game Pass mobile app that lets you queue the rest to install on day one. Though you’ll still have to wait to play them like everyone else, your game can be downloaded and ready to play the day it’s available!