Xbox is gearing up to release a significant update this September, promising a host of new features to elevate the gaming experience. This article delineates every aspect of the update, including the introduction of variable refresh rates, streaming games to Discord, and new avenues for viewing and redeeming rewards, among other features. Let’s delve deeper into each update to understand what gamers can anticipate.

Streaming Games from Xbox to Discord

A remarkable feature in the forthcoming update is the ability to stream Xbox gameplay directly to Discord. This function facilitates an easy way for gamers to share their gaming experiences with friends on Discord. To initiate this, users first need to link their Discord account to the Xbox. Following this, they can join voice channels directly from their Xbox console.

This process is fairly straightforward: users need to press the Xbox button on their controller, which opens the guide. They then scroll to the ‘Parties & chats’ section, and select ‘Discord’. This streamlined process means that sharing your game progress with friends is now just a few clicks away, fostering greater community interaction and engagement.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on Xbox Series X|S Consoles

The forthcoming update is set to introduce Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) functionality to Xbox Series X|S consoles. This feature synchronizes the refresh rate of your TV or monitor with the frame rate of the content being viewed, thereby ensuring smoother gameplay.

To utilize this feature, gamers need to navigate to General > TV & display options > Video in the settings menu, followed by selecting the preferred option for VRR from the dropdown menu. The available options are “Always On,” “Gaming Only,” or “Off,” offering flexibility based on personal preference and the nature of the content being viewed.

New Avenues to View and Redeem Rewards

The update brings in new portals where gamers can view and redeem their rewards, enhancing accessibility and user experience. These rewards can now be found under the newly introduced ‘Rewards tab’. To access this, users press the Xbox button to open the guide, followed by selecting Profile & system > profile > My Rewards.

Furthermore, the ‘Redeem Rewards’ catalogue is directly accessible from the Rewards tab, consolidating the process and saving time, making the whole experience more streamlined and user-friendly.

Xbox Voice Reporting

A significant move to enhance the safety and inclusivity of the gaming community is the introduction of voice reporting. This feature, announced back in July, grants players the ability to report inappropriate voice chats occurring during the game.

Equipped to support a wide range of in-game interactions, including those on Xbox 360 backward-compatible titles, this tool enables players to capture a 60-second clip of any offending voice chat and submit it for review to the Xbox Safety Team. Initially, this service will be available to Xbox console players in select English-language markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Updates to the Xbox App on PC

The Xbox app on the PC is also set to receive notable updates aimed at enhancing user experience. These include faster performance, and a celebratory nod to upcoming games. Users will also notice improvements in the load times of game details pages, facilitating quicker access to install buttons. The app is further refined with new fonts, button styles, and animations, coupled with updates across the Library and Installation queue, inclusive of new filters for categories such as Installed, Owned, and In Game Pass.

Conclusion

With a series of promising updates lined up, the September update from Xbox is certainly something for the gaming community to look forward to. From facilitating easier streaming to Discord to introducing features that ensure smoother gameplay and enhanced safety mechanisms, the update seems poised to significantly uplift the user experience.

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