Xbox has unveiled a highly requested QoL feature for Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring that enables players to use Xbox Cloud as they install or update their favorite games. This new feature means that you can keep playing even if a big game patch or new install is happening. Instead, you can stream the game instantly via Xbox Cloud while the updates take place silently in the background.
No More Waiting for Downloads
This update fixes one of the more annoying things in modern gaming for both cloud gaming users and console players: the update screen. With the new system, if a game that is installed needs an update and is part of the cloud-enabled Xbox catalog, then a “Play with cloud” option will be shown directly on the game card.
Selecting this option boots up the cloud version of the game immediately. While you are playing, the Xbox console will continue downloading and installing the update or full game in the background. Once the download is complete, you can seamlessly transition back to playing locally on your console.
Expanded Gamertags, Xbox 360 Achievements, and Wishlist Updates
While the cloud streaming integration is the star of this update, the Alpha Skip-Ahead build also packs several other notable improvements for the Xbox ecosystem:
- 15-Character Gamertags: Xbox is expanding the character limit for unique, available gamertags from 12 to 15 characters, giving players more flexibility to express themselves. (Note: Gamertags that are not unique or use non-Latin characters will still be subject to the 12-character limit and a numerical suffix).
- Xbox 360 Achievements in Game Hubs: Retro achievements are getting a visibility boost. When opening game cards for installed Xbox 360 titles, players can now track achievement progress, view captures, and access detailed achievement popups directly from their profile lists.
- Streamlined Wishlisting: Players can now add both released and upcoming games to their wishlists directly from game cards, turning the card into a centralized hub for tracking desired titles.
These preview features are currently rolling out exclusively to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring. Microsoft plans to expand testing to additional Insider rings in the coming weeks before releasing the features to the general public.
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Featured photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
