Downloading 4K Will Be Optional, Depending on the Game Developer
Are you finding it impossible to wait for 4K gaming? Well, Microsoft’s helping you out a little bit. A new, convenient update will is letting users download 4K assets ahead of launch.
A new preview build for the Xbox Insider Alpha gives users access to 4K content. Basically, if you have any Xbox One games that will be upgraded to 4K with the Xbox One X, a free update will make the files available early. All you need is an external hard drive you can then link to the 4K console. Alternatively, you can simply download the content on your Xbox One and transfer it later via network transfer.
Though all 4K content is available exclusively to members of the Xbox Insider Program, it will launch before November 7th. Microsoft’s Mike Ybarra confirmed as much on Twitter, also confirming that downloading 4K assets won’t be mandatory on the Xbox One; it will be up to individual developers.
Release notes for the Xbox One Preview Alpha are available below.
Available: 6:00PM PDT 10/5 (1:00AM GMT 6/10)
NEW FEATURES:Â
Download 4K Game Content
We’ve added a great new setting that’ll help you get ready for Xbox One X by downloading available 4K game content ahead of time. Download 4K content on your external games & apps storage device and plug the device into your Xbox One X to play right away! If you don’t have an external storage device, you can also download 4K game content directly to your current console, then transfer your games & apps to your Xbox One X using network transfer to get started faster.
NOTE:Â This feature was enabled via live setting and is currently available without downloading this system update.
Backup Settings
Streamline setup on a new console by backing up your account and key system settings to an external games & apps storage device. Plug the storage device in your new console before setting up to transfer your backed up settings. To access these features, open the Guide and navigate to System> Settings > System > Backup & transfer.
NOTE:Â This feature was enabled via live setting and is currently available without downloading this system update.
FIXES:Â
Games & Apps
- Fixed an issue which caused Games & Apps to fail to display a network transfer in progress in the Queue.
- Miscellaneous improvements for graphics and performance in certain games.
- Resolved an issue which prevented certain apps from launching.
Party Chat
- Fixed an issue which could cause poor quality audio shortly after a party chat session is initiated.
- Fixed an issue which sometimes caused party chat voices to sound robotic or distorted.
- Fixed an issue which sometimes caused party chat to disconnect.
- Improvements to resolve degraded party chat performance while playing a game.
Game DVR
- Fixed an issue which sometimes prevented game clips from uploading.
- Fixed an issue which sometimes caused a white frame to appear briefly in recorded game clips.
System
- Fixed an issue which could sometimes cause the console to unexpectedly crash.
USB Webcam
- Fixed an issue which prevented certain webcam models from functioning when connected.
Forza Motorsport 7
Resolved an issue which sometimes caused the game to crash or fail to launch.
Notifications
- Resolved an issue which sometimes prevented notifications from popping up.
Skype
- Fixed an issue which caused Skype to crash when receiving an incoming call.
Blu-Ray Player
- Resolved an issue which sometimes caused 3D Blu-Rays to play in 2D.
- Miscellaneous fixes for Blu-Ray HDR playback.
Games with Gold
- Fixed an issue which prevented the Games with Gold lounge from launching from the tile on Home.
Netflix
- Fixed an issue which could sometimes cause stuttering in Netflix.
Display & sound
- Resolved an issue which sometimes prevented the TV from switching to HDR mode when playing 4K UHD HDR content.
Movies & TV
- Fixed an issue which sometimes caused the Movies & TV app to crash after stopping and resuming playback.
KNOWN ISSUES:Â
Games & Apps
You may notice stuttering or decreased performance in games and apps while the guide is open or the console is downloading content in the background.
Game saves may take a long time to sync.
Workaround:Â Downloading certain game and apps (Minecraft, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) can cause this. Pause the download, then attempt to sync game saves.
Backgrounds
- Setting a background from recent achievement art does not function.
Tournaments
- The left and right navigation for selecting date and time during Tournament creation is currently reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew.
- Left and right navigation in Tournament twists is reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew.
- Left and right navigation in the bracket view of Tournaments is reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew.
Sign-in
- Text on the account and password sign-in screen in Arabic or Hebrew language may appear aligned on the left instead of the right side.Â
Netflix
- When using Hebrew language, Netflix fails to launch. A fix for this issue will be available soon.
Avatars on Home
- Users wishing to represent themselves as an avatar can do so by changing their settings under My profile > Customize profile > Show my avatar
We are a month away from the arrival of the Xbox One X. Stay tuned for major updates.