Microsoft released a new video featuring an in-depth look at the interface, menus, and other features of the Xbox Series X / S. The video featured Xbox Community PM Malik Prince and Harrison Hoffman, the Principal Program Manager at Xbox.
The video also showcased some games and new features exclusive to the upcoming consoles, which will be available on November 10. Let's take a look at the standouts.
Everything moves quickly
From getting to the home screen after the on button is pressed to switching between menus, everything moves very fast. Getting from the home screen to the store happens in a blink, and even the menus in the store move at a lightning pace.
Players can move from one game to another easily as well, with a feature called quick resume, which allows for someone to play multiple games at once without having to close one and open another.
Download times have also been improved. Players will be able to enjoy games faster and not have to wait three hours for them to download anymore.
It's easier than ever to share
The newest Xbox controller now has a share button that lets players take a quick screenshot or video. They can either tap or hold down the button, and the purpose is to not interrupt gameplay so gamers won't lose the flow of their games.
Once the video or screenshot is captured, players will get a notification on the mobile app, and they can share it with all their connected networks. Speaking of which:
The smartphone app will be key
The Xbox smartphone app is going to be integral to the new console experience. It'll be used to sign in, set up the console's WiFi, and interact with different settings.
This will be especially helpful when typing information into the console. Typing into phones is far faster than controllers.
Also, the app will allow for remote play, after it's synched with a controller, meaning that when you're done playing on the console you can use the phone to play on the go.
Adding storage is a breeze
There's the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for those who want to add games to their console without worrying about space. It easily slips into the back and has 1 TB of memory.
In the video, Hoffman highlights the games menu screen, which shows off a complete library of titles. When the expansion card is plugged in, the games on the card pop up immediately.
The console also has a USB slot, so older games can be stored and not take up console space.
Customizable background
Finally, the home screen has a dynamic background with a gradient color scheme that moves in real-time. According to Prince, the background is changeable and the user can pick which color they prefer. The default seems to be green.
Here's a look at the complete video:
Both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are set to introduce new UIs when they arrive. Here's a look at what we might be able to expect.
