Xbox Series S/X: Thread 04

[nonny]

MS will crack it because they understand it doesn't replace a console experience, it just supplements the existing options.

[nonny]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-rewards-regions-9795ec47-c0f4-a33e-aede-738903359d63

MS just quietly expanded the rewards program to 58 countries (it was 20).

That game pass / rewards combo is pretty much global now.

[Neon Ignition]

Nice to see growth, hopefully it doesn't precursor another round of making it less generous. I panicked when the MS Gaming tab points didn't appear this morning but an hour later up they popped. The apps requirements are more of a time sink this month.

[nonny]

Nice to see growth, hopefully it doesn't precursor another round of making it less generous. I panicked when the MS Gaming tab points didn't appear this morning but an hour later up they popped. The apps requirements are more of a time sink this month.

I've noticed some of the game pass rewards this week are specifically for ultimate subscribers but really I think that's still pretty fair. If you're paying for top tier then you get more rewards options.

[nonny]

https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/4/23292391/microsoft-xbox-series-s-more-memory-game-development-performance

MS unlocks a bit of extra memory for the Series S. Not really sure how much of an impact this will have but I'm sure Digital Foundry will have a look at it.

[nonny]

https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/4/23292335/microsoft-xbox-game-pass-sharing-family-plan-preview

And it looks like that family plan for game pass is almost a reality.

[randombs]

It's so simple that it seems unbelievable. Can you really just install code like this on a series? It will be used for all sorts of things, like native ports and desktop applications.

(I’m quoting your post in the Switch thread cos this is Xbox talk)

Essentially, someone compiled and uploaded RetroArch to the MS Store as though it was his own app (you can do that with an Xbox developer account). Generally, the store page for a homemade app only appears for users who’ve been whitelisted by the app’s author(given their email address).

Something changed recently so now we don’t need to hand over our email address - we just access a link and it opens the MS Store page for RetroArch.

It’s not supported by the RetroArch guys but it seems like the worst that’ll happen is MS would pull this RetroArch from the MS Store. There’s no banning going on as of yet. I’m a scaredy cat when it comes to banning but I went ahead with this because of how it all works. It’s not like softmodding a Switch or PSP. It’s similar to sideloading on an Android or iPhone.

[randombs]

Same video I followed. It's so simple it's incredible but I do wonder based on that how much of a security risk it is and whether it's get shut down etc...

I was surprised to discover the RetroArch file browser let me look around my Xbox’s C drive (including the program files directories!) but I don’t know if Ms only allows read-only access. In that case, these apps won’t have any more access than proper apps.

I think it’ll be a case of trusting your sources when installing stuff. The guy uploading RetroArch isn’t some random guy but I dunno who made the FTP program

[nonny]

I'm currently in a wait and see mode on this one... the main thing about dev mode is it placed a small hurdle and cost in front of using this and prevented the general public from jumping on board.

I think the main issue with this is the method highlights what can be done to load things through the retail front end. It might be harmless and produced by someone with a legit dev account but it's more about what it shows others with less authentic means for game preservation.

I'm sure Microsoft could shut this down immediately if they wanted to, and potentially ban users of it... but it's just whether they choose to go that route or not.

As it stands Retroarch installed this way isn't a dangerous app in itself, but yeah... I'm sure it'll get MS attention as it gains popularity.

[Ouenben]

I

I'm currently in a wait and see mode on this one... the main thing about dev mode is it placed a small hurdle and cost in front of using this and prevented the general public from jumping on board.

I think the main issue with this is the method highlights what can be done to load things through the retail front end. It might be harmless and produced by someone with a legit dev account but it's more about what it shows others with less authentic means for game preservation.

I'm sure Microsoft could shut this down immediately if they wanted to, and potentially ban users of it... but it's just whether they choose to go that route or not.

As it stands Retroarch installed this way isn't a dangerous app in itself, but yeah... I'm sure it'll get MS attention as it gains popularity.

It's been possible since the Series S/X released though. So MS will already be fully aware of it.

[nonny]

I

It's been possible since the Series S/X released though. So MS will already be fully aware of it.

It was even before that, but this is the first time I've seen the method hosted so clearly in plain sight... which is why I think it pays to ve cautious.

I doubt MS will do anything but if it gains popularity then they might receive some pressure from e.g. Nintendo to look like they're doing something to prevent it.

To date I've only seen one other major YouTube channel that concentrates in emulation run with clear steps to do this, and it wasn't as easy as this method.

ETA Prime is a pretty big channel though and a bit more mainstream.

[Neon Ignition]

https://www.eurogamer.net/footage-surfaces-of-xbox-elite-series-2-controller

If MS releases another Elite 2 with no major fixes they deserve the negative PR it will inevitably bring.

[nonny]

https://www.eurogamer.net/footage-su...s-2-controller
If MS releases another Elite 2 with no major fixes they deserve the negative PR it will inevitably bring.

Agreed.

[Cassius_Smoke]

With any luck it'll have adaptive triggers and Haptics so it starts becoming the norm.

[nonny]

The leaked white version appears to just be another series 2 model which is why Neon is saying it needs major fixes.

Everyone knows it's been plagued by stick drift abd myriad other issues.

Apparently there's a Series 3 in the works which is where I'm sure they'll add new features, what exactly is the mystery...

I'd expect to follow the Series console controller aesthetic. Maybe they add haptics but honestly I'd just want real build quality.