Windows 10: Microsoft explains Optimized for Xbox Series X badge on games

Brink · Jun 26, 2020

Here at Xbox, weâre building the future of gaming by putting players first, ensuring that you are at the center and in control of your gaming experience. Whether youâre exploring an expansive library of Xbox Game Pass titles with more than 10 million of your fellow gamers or taking your gaming on the go with Project xCloud, itâs clear that the future of gaming is brighter than ever.

Nowhere is that more evident than with Xbox Series X, our fastest, most powerful console ever. Not only will Xbox Series X set a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility, it will empower the worldâs greatest developers to create games that launch us into the future of gaming. Putting players first also means introducing a host of new features and technologies to improve their experience.

Last week, we took a look at Smart Delivery. Today, weâll be diving into what it means when a game is Optimized for Xbox Series X.

Optimized for Xbox Series X is the indicator for games that take advantage of the full power of Xbox Series X. Since Xbox Series X offers developers unparalleled power and speed, this empowers them to create the experiences they want and embrace a range of features and capabilities based on what is best for their individual titles. When you hear a game has been Optimized for Xbox Series X, youâll know that the developer has either natively designed or fully rebuilt their game to take full advantage of the unique capabilities of our most powerful console ever.

Games featuring the Optimized for Xbox Series X badge can showcase anything from virtually eliminating load times via the Xbox Velocity Architecture, heightened visuals and hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing powered by our custom, next generation GPU, to steadier and often higher framerates up to 120fps. Titles displaying the Optimized for Xbox Series X badge can include:

Brand new games built natively for the Xbox Series X such as Halo Infinite.

Previously released titles in which a developer has enhanced their title using the Xbox Series X development environment to dramatically leverage the power and features Xbox Series X has to offer, like Gears 5.

Letâs take a closer look at what youâll be getting when youâre playing a game thatâs been Optimized for Xbox Series X:

Groundbreaking Visual Fidelity Immerses You in Your Games

Powered by DirectX 12 Ultimate and with support for hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracingâa first for consolesâselect games will produce more dynamic, realistic environments. DirectX Raytracing means that youâll see true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and hear 3D spatially accurate acoustics in real time as you explore the game world. Ultimately, DirectX Raytracing enables developers to create more physically accurate worlds. To give a better feel for what this may look like in practice, we asked Manuel FernÃ¡ndez, Co-founder and Programmer from Out of the Blue to share what theyâre most excited about for leveraging DirectX Raytracing in Call of the Sea:

âIn Call of the Sea, the island has a great importance as we tell the story as a dialogue between the player and their environment. Thanks to the power of Xbox Series X and DirectX Raytracing, we will have the chance to make the island even more present, almost come to life. Players will have the opportunity to enjoy the islandâs stunning environments in beautiful 4K, allowing for a greater immersion and an overall better experience.â â Manuel FernÃ¡ndez, Out of the Blue

Next Generation Framerates Offer the Pinnacle of Precision

Games that have been Optimized for Xbox Series X use the power of the new console to deliver higher, steadier framerates, with a performance target of 60 frames per second at 4K resolution. Some games will even be able to support framerates up to 120 fps or variable refresh rates, allowing developers to offer players heightened realism and more precise controls for fast-paced action. We also talked to Technical Director at Codemasters David Springate about optimizing DiRT 5 for Xbox Series X, to give you a better feel for how increased framerates could improve next gen games:

âDIRT 5 is a fast, action-packed amplified off-road racing game and being able to play it with 120fps options on Xbox Series X is incredible. The power of Series X means that the game looks stunning at 60fps, and weâre also able to offer amazingly smooth, responsive gameplay at 120fps while still looking gorgeous. Racing fans know frame rate is king and DIRT 5 will deliver on this. Players will experience the strongest sense of speed and responsiveness at the highest frame rate. Itâs such a great, smooth experience â I hadnât experienced another racer like it.â â David Springate, Codemasters

Faster Load Times Will Get You Gaming More Quickly than Ever

Optimized for Xbox Series X isnât just about gorgeous visuals and better framerates. Itâs also about virtually eliminating in-game load times thanks to our Xbox Velocity Architecture technology. XVA combines a custom solid-state drive, custom hardware and integrated software to greatly decrease load times both in and out of games, meaning gamers will be able to spend more time playing and less time waiting. As an example, for titles that have large, open-world environments, these experiences will feel even more dynamic, as developers will be able to leverage the massive increase in processing power and the ability to stream assets in extremely quickly to not break immersion. Developers will also be able to effectively eliminate loading times between levels and create fast travel systems that are just that: fast. We talked with Mike Rayner, Technical Director at The Coalition to hear what heâs most excited about for leveraging the XVA for Gears 5 and hereâs what he had to say:

âAs a game developer one of the most exciting improvements that far exceeds expectations is the massive I/O improvements on Xbox Series X. With the Xbox Series X, out of gate we reduced our load-times by more than 4x without any code changes. With the new DirectStorage APIs and new hardware decompression we can further improve I/O performance and reduce CPU overhead both of which are essential to achieve fast loading. As we look to the future, the Xbox Series Xâs Sampler Feedback for Streaming (SFS) is a game changer for how we think about world streaming and visual level of detail.â â Mike Rayner, The Coalition

Wondering which games are Optimized for Xbox Series X? Below youâll find a list of titles confirmed to be Optimized for Xbox Series X to date. As this list grows in the weeks and months leading up to Xbox Series X launch, weâll keep it updated to reflect any additions.

Assassinâs Creed Valhalla

Bright Memory Infinite

Call of the Sea

Chivalry 2

Chorus

Cyberpunk 2077

Destiny 2

DiRT 5

FIFA 21

Gears 5

Halo Infinite

Hitman 3

Madden NFL 21

Marvelâs Avengers

Outriders

Scarlet Nexus

Scorn

Second Extinction

The Ascent

The Medium

Vampire: The Masquerade â Bloodlines 2

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

We hope this gave you a better idea of what it means when you purchase a game thatâs been Optimized for Xbox Series X, which ensure that the player is at the center of the gaming experience. Weâll be sharing more on Optimized for Xbox Series X and adding titles to the list above in the coming months.
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Source: Xbox Series X: Embrace the Full Power of the Console with Games Optimized for Xbox Series X - Xbox Wire

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Brink · Jun 26, 2020

Xbox Series X Smart Delivery

Here at Xbox, we’re building the future of gaming by putting players first and ensuring that you are at the center and in control of your gaming experience. Whether you’re exploring an expansive library of Xbox Game Pass titles with more than 10 million of your fellow gamers or taking your gaming on the go with Project xCloud, it’s clear that the future of gaming is brighter than ever.

Nowhere is that more evident than with Xbox Series X, our fastest, most powerful console ever. Not only will Xbox Series X set a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility, it willempower the world’s greatest developers to create games that launch us into the future of gaming. Putting players first also means introducing a host of new features and technologies to improve their experience.

One of the most exciting of the technologies we’re introducing with Xbox Series X is Smart Delivery, which will ensure that you always play the best version of the games you own for your console, across generations. This technology is available for all developers, and all Xbox Game Studios titles that are Optimized for Xbox Series X, including Halo Infinite, will support Smart Delivery.

But what does that mean for you, the player? Well, it means that if you purchase the Xbox One version of a supported title, we will deliver the best version of it to your Xbox One, as usual. If you decide to jump into the next generation with Xbox Series X, we will automatically provide the Xbox Series X version of the game at no additional cost when it becomes available. You won’t need to do anything in terms of choosing a version to download. We’ll take care of all of that. And it’s not just limited to games that you purchase digitally; physical discs of Xbox games can also support Smart Delivery if the developer or publisher decides to implement it.

Below are a few different scenarios in which Smart Delivery will work across generations with the games and consoles you own now and those you may own in the future. Smart Delivery will ensure that only the best version of the game will be installed on your hard drive, so you don’t have to manage your storage space:

If you own Gears 5 or are loving it via Xbox Game Pass now, you can play it today on Xbox One. Then, if you pick up an Xbox Series X this holiday, all it takes is a push of a button to download it and you’ll have the Optimized version of Gears 5 – available on day 1 at launch with the console – at your fingertips.

When Halo Infinite launches alongside Xbox Series X and Xbox One this holiday, you only have to buy the game once and you’ll get the best version for whichever console you own, or both. If you pick up Xbox Series X for your living room, Smart Delivery will recognize that and deliver you the Optimized version there. If you decide to move your existing Xbox One to a bedroom or the office, Smart Delivery will recognize that too and deliver that version when you’re playing on Xbox One.

Lastly, some new and existing Xbox One titles will be Optimizing their games after the Xbox Series X launches. For example, if you buy Cyberpunk 2077 when it launches on September 17, you’ll be set to explore Night City on Xbox One. If you pick up Xbox Series X at launch this holiday, you can play it there too in compatibility mode picking up exactly where you left off. Then, when CD PROJEKT RED delivers an Xbox Series X Optimized version of Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll automatically get upgraded once it’s available at no additional cost.

We’re also happy to confirm that Smart Delivery will be enabled for Xbox Game Pass titles that leverage it. Outside of our Xbox Game Studios titles, it will be up to the individual developer to determine whether they take advantage of Smart Delivery.

As was the case with our current backwards compatible titles, you won’t have to worry about losing any progress either. Thanks to our commitment to compatibility across generations, you can be assured that when you purchase a game on Xbox One today, your game library, progression and entire gaming legacy moves forward with you if you jump into the next generation with Xbox Series X.

But what about the games? Below you’ll find the initial list of new and existing titles that will be Optimized for Xbox Series X and confirmed to support Smart Delivery. Please note: this is in addition to the thousands of games you’ll be able to bring with you to Xbox Series X via back compatibility on day one. As this list grows in the weeks and months leading up to the Xbox Series X launch, we’ll keep it updated to reflect any additions.
Halo Infinite
Cyberpunk 2077
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Destiny 2
DiRT 5
Scarlet Nexus
Chorus
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Ascent
Call of the Sea
Gears 5
Second Extinction
Metal: Hellslinger
We hope this gave you a better idea of what we’ve got planned for Smart Delivery and how this new technology will ensure that the player is at the center of the gaming experience. We’ll be sharing more on Smart Delivery and adding titles to the list above in the coming months.
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Source: Xbox Series X: Buy A Game Once and Play the Best Version Across Generations with Smart Delivery - Xbox Wire

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Brink · Jun 26, 2020

Xbox Ambassador badges are coming to Xbox Live Xbox

Big news—Ambassador badges are coming to Xbox Live

We may have hinted a bit in the headline, but we have some unparalleled news to share today. As noted in the Xbox Ambassadors In-Progress Feedback Tracker, we have heard community feedback around more recognition for Xbox Ambassadors on Xbox Live. In fact, it is one of the top requested features from you, the Ambassadors.

Today, we’re excited to announce that starting May 7, 2019, you will be able to show off your Xbox Ambassador status on your Xbox Live profile with a unique badge that will appear next to your Xbox Live tenure. When someone visits your Xbox Live profile, they will know that you are part of a community that is making Xbox fun for everyone!

Are you ready to add this shiny new badge to your Xbox Live profile? Read on to find out how!

Get your Xbox Ambassadors badge

In order to display the Ambassador badge on your Xbox Live profile, you’ll need to meet two simple requirements:

Be an Xbox Ambassador

Reach Bronze tier to unlock your Xbox Live badge!

If you’ve already made it to Bronze tier this season, the badge will be enabled by default. That means the badge will appear on your Xbox Live profile when the feature rolls out on 5/7!

How to opt-out

What if you prefer not to display your Xbox Ambassador status on your Xbox Live profile? We understand that you might prefer to stay under the radar while gaming. If you reached Bronze tier and do not want the Ambassador badge on your Xbox Live profile, simply follow the steps below to opt-out:

Login to Xbox Ambassadors

Navigate to “Profile”

Click “Badges & Pins”

Locate the “Xbox Live Badge” section

Click the “Visible on Xbox Live” button to toggle it to “OFF”

Please Note: The opt-out slider will be available starting on 4/30, and you can opt-out at any time after that.

Show the world you’re an Xbox Ambassador

We’re looking forward to seeing your Ambassador badges on Xbox Live starting 5/7!

If you have any questions on how badging works, please feel free to contact your CM.
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Source: Announcing Ambassador Badging | Xbox Ambassadors Community Blog

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Brink · Jun 26, 2020

Xbox Ambassador badges are coming to Xbox Live

Big news—Ambassador badges are coming to Xbox Live

We may have hinted a bit in the headline, but we have some unparalleled news to share today. As noted in the Xbox Ambassadors In-Progress Feedback Tracker, we have heard community feedback around more recognition for Xbox Ambassadors on Xbox Live. In fact, it is one of the top requested features from you, the Ambassadors.

Today, we’re excited to announce that starting May 7, 2019, you will be able to show off your Xbox Ambassador status on your Xbox Live profile with a unique badge that will appear next to your Xbox Live tenure. When someone visits your Xbox Live profile, they will know that you are part of a community that is making Xbox fun for everyone!

Are you ready to add this shiny new badge to your Xbox Live profile? Read on to find out how!

Get your Xbox Ambassadors badge

In order to display the Ambassador badge on your Xbox Live profile, you’ll need to meet two simple requirements:

Be an Xbox Ambassador

Reach Bronze tier to unlock your Xbox Live badge!

If you’ve already made it to Bronze tier this season, the badge will be enabled by default. That means the badge will appear on your Xbox Live profile when the feature rolls out on 5/7!

How to opt-out

What if you prefer not to display your Xbox Ambassador status on your Xbox Live profile? We understand that you might prefer to stay under the radar while gaming. If you reached Bronze tier and do not want the Ambassador badge on your Xbox Live profile, simply follow the steps below to opt-out:

Login to Xbox Ambassadors

Navigate to “Profile”

Click “Badges & Pins”

Locate the “Xbox Live Badge” section

Click the “Visible on Xbox Live” button to toggle it to “OFF”

Please Note: The opt-out slider will be available starting on 4/30, and you can opt-out at any time after that.

Show the world you’re an Xbox Ambassador

We’re looking forward to seeing your Ambassador badges on Xbox Live starting 5/7!

If you have any questions on how badging works, please feel free to contact your CM.
Click to expand...

Source: Announcing Ambassador Badging | Xbox Ambassadors Community Blog

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Windows 10: Microsoft explains Optimized for Xbox Series X badge on games

Microsoft explains Optimized for Xbox Series X badge on games

Microsoft explains Optimized for Xbox Series X badge on games

Microsoft explains Optimized for Xbox Series X badge on games

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