Microsoft also introduced a new Xbox Game Pass Referral program, making it easier for current Xbox Game Pass subscribers to convince their friends to try out the service. Users can send a trial to those not currently Game Pass Subscribers, giving them access to the Game Pass Library during a 14-day trial period. The company has been expanding its service into new markets, bringing new promotions to let new users try out Game Pass for free. Despite their efforts, Xbox experienced a slowdown in growth on the console side of the service last year.
The company has also revealed the dashboard on its Xbox Console and has been testing it with a selected group of Xbox users. It is expected to roll out to more Xbox Insider Program users in the coming weeks. Multiple feedback has been submitted, and Microsoft has addressed prototypes and user testing in their research labs to make it more balanced regarding user experience, accessibility, function, and community needs.
Microsoft Redesigned Xbox Home UI
They have been revamping Xbox Game Pass since last month but have significantly improved the UI in the latest Alpha testing group. Microsoft is now testing a new user interface (UI) for the Home screen. This is currently rolled out to a limited number of testers, allowing users to set their custom backgrounds, which is quite a handy personalization to improve the visual experience for Xbox users. Talking about the Quick Menu gives access to the Game and App Library, Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Search, and Settings, eliminating the need to navigate through the usual sections of the dashboard.
One of the most significant changes is the quick access menu on top of the dashboard and the change to the layout. It also changes the Browse your games tab to My Games & Apps, which displays updates regarding the user’s game library or the Microsoft Store. By showing this, it will help users stay informed and make better use of their gaming time. The redesigned Xbox Game home screen has a new arrangement and size of the apps and games on the home screen of the Xbox Console.
To offer background customization, the icon tiles have been moved further down on the home screen, making way to accommodate custom backgrounds set by the users. As we mentioned, the icons have been adjusted, making them smaller and giving more real estate on the screen. This unlocks access to the entire game library without needing to navigate to the usual parts of the Xbox Dashboard, saving so much time and making it more efficient for users.
It looks more appealing and enhances the aesthetic of the home screen while keeping user-friendliness. A redesigned Xbox Home UI has an accommodated background image and brings access to the Xbox dashboard. On top of that, the background will change dynamically based on the game or app you have been hovering on the screen, which is responsive game art that updates the background image to match the game or app currently in focus.
Microsoft’s Research Labs Design team will keep involved and perform multiple user testing by exploring numerous designs and refinements until the Xbox UI and experience are close to satisfactory, balancing experience, accessibility, function, and community to ensure visually appealing.
Xbox Game Pass Friend Referral to Try Out New Players 14-Day Trial of PC Game Pass, Discontinue $1 Trial
Microsoft launched its Xbox Game Pass in 40 new markets, bringing the total number of countries where the service is available to 86 and making it available to 1.4 billion Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. There are more Xbox Game Pass users compared to Xbox Console users. By doing this, the company is increasing the popularity of the PC Game Pass and wants more subscribers to the service. With the new referral program, friends can try the Game Pass and have full access to the library of free games available on the service during the trial period.
The company ended its years of Microsoft’s special discounts offering $1 trials for new Game Pass subscribers Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The company found this to be better marketing. There could be various reasons Microsoft discontinued the $1 trial for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This not only brings the Xbox content but also includes access to EA Play, allowing players to try out the game for 10 hours before anyone else decides if they want to purchase the game.
This is only limited to PC Xbox Game Pass, and there isn’t any word about the console. If you send your invitation to your friend and they accept this offer, they can’t use any other introductory offer to claim the accessories of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This is one time for everyone and only for new members to try out this service. Therefore, Microsoft reported 159% YoY growth in October, and they want to keep users interested in the PC version of the service.
Later, the company also offered Riot Game Benefits on its free-to-play titles, and in the coming weeks, we could see more offers from Microsoft. Microsoft launched a referral program offered to promote the Xbox Game Pass subscription-based gaming service, which will increase awareness and could boost the adoption of Xbox Game Pass in the long term. Current Game Pass users can use invitations to call out for their friends to try the Game Pass. You can find the Xbox Friend Referral invitation in the Game Pass section of the Xbox app on PC, and you can share the free trial with your friends.
Click the Give PC Game Pass button, then submit the details for your friend. After this, your friend will get a code to redeem for the trial. The Friend Referral offer allows current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and PC Game Pass to refer up to five people. This only works for all users who have yet to use the Xbox Game Pass. With the Xbox Game Pass Referral, new users of Xbox Game Pass can claim 14 days of a free trial of the PC Game Pass.
