Xbox Game Pass is the focus of next year’s Xbox Series X UI refresh
Don’t pass go
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
There’s a brand new Xbox Series X|S home menu layout in development, and it putsXbox Game Passat the forefront.
Available now to Xbox Insiders on the Alpha Ring, the newXbox Series X|S home menu layout prominently featuresXbox Game Passat its core. The layout should roll out to all Xbox Series X andXbox Series Sowners in 2023, but if you’d like to give it a spin early, considerjoining the Xbox Insider program.
Demonstrated by The Verge’s Tom Warren in a short video (below), Xbox Game Pass’s ‘Recently added’ tab is now sat right below your last used apps at the top of the home menu. That means you won’t have to open the Xbox Game Pass app to see what’s been added to the service.
A good thing for Game Pass?
I’m anXbox Game Pass Ultimatesubscriber, and while I love the service, I’m not really a fan of how this new UI layout is a constant, unsubtle reminder that the service exists.
In the video, Warren mentions that the layout feels like a giant Xbox Game Pass ad, and I couldn’t agree more. Xbox Game Pass is a good enough service that its value has spread easily by word of mouth, so perhaps it doesn’t need to be so aggressive in its marketing.
It also runs the risk of alienating non-subscribers. Whether it’s a question of affordability or if you simply don’t want another subscription on your monthly bill, not every Xbox owner makes use of the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem.
Hopefully,Microsoftreconsiders the layout to be a little less in-your-face, or alternatively, remains unintrusive for those not subscribed to Xbox Game Pass. While I remain a fan of the service and have gotten much use out of its ever-growing library andXbox Cloud Gaming, it’s certainly not something everyone is going to want to be advertised to them on a constant basis.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
Where to buy the new Xbox Series X and S consoles - including the gorgeous Galaxy Black 2TB machine
Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X|S will require Xbox Game Pass to play when it launches in full
The M4 Mac mini has removable, modular storage – and an important SSD upgrade
