Yesterday, Microsoft announced that the party chat, previously only available to Xbox Live Gold members, will soon be free for all Xbox gamers. The company revealed the news in a tweet with phrases such as “Alpha”, “Alpha Skip-Ahead” and “flighting”. Meanwhile, a accompanying blog post presented a string of numbers: 2104-210323-0000. What the hell does all this mean?
The short version is that there are a lot of references to the current ones Xbox Insider program, which allows Xbox users to test future features before making them available to the general public. Earlier this month, for example, the program allowed some members will suspend the games while other games are downloading, which can significantly increase the download speed. In some cases, members can even preview future games.
That’s not all. In January, Microsoft has announced (as part of a proposed drastic, drastic increase in the Xbox Live rate), that this year the Xbox Live Gold subscription will no longer be required to play free games, reversing a previous year.
This latest Xbox Insider release is starting to roll the ball, lifting this restriction for players in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead levels of the program. Soon, beta and lower level members will be able to play as well Fortnite, a free game without paying money for a monthly Xbox Live Gold subscription. Microsoft has not yet said when this change will appear in the overall player base.
Okay, I’m interested. How do I register?
Easy: Turn on your Xbox. Go to the store. Open the search function and enter “insider”. Download the Xbox Insider Bundle app, start it, and then click the “join” button. (He’s the only one.) That’s it. You’re in!
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So how’s this going?
Xbox Insider offers benefits based on a tier system. There are five levels, three of which you can actually reach:
- Omega: This is the starting level. You will receive updates just before you go live to the general base of players – access still early, but without the praise rights and brilliant VIP veneer.
- Delta: Once you’ve been in the program for at least a month, you’ll be eligible to reach Delta level, provided you reach Xbox Insider XP level two. (Yes, as a video game, Xbox Insider has levels. I agree. It is It is annoying.) You are guaranteed to receive updates before the general player base. In some cases, when updates require additional testing, you may receive them in front of Alpha and Beta levels. Extravagant.
- Beta: If you’ve been in the Xbox Insider program for three months and reached level five, you’ll be eligible for Beta. These people have access to updates shortly after the Alpha level.
Alpha and ultra-exclusive Alpha Skip-Ahead levels are for invitation only. Don’t sweat them.
You won’t automatically jump between levels when you unlock them. Once you’ve reached a new level, go to the “Previews” tab, click “Xbox Update Preview”, open the “Information” submenu, and click “Manage”. It should display a list of all the levels you have unlocked. (Side note: this method is also how you quit the program. Follow these steps and click “quit preview.”)
One more thing: you don’t have to start from scratch if you change the console. Same as Xbox data backupThe Xbox Insider status will follow your account. Once you open the app on your new machine, you’ll have access to everything you had access to your old machine.
Why wouldn’t I automatically raise the level?
The hunted levels provide early access to new features, which is super cool, but those features generally went through fewer tests at the time and thus have a higher risk of errors. By giving you the option to change levels, you will have control over your risk. experiencing errors or experiencing Xbox features in an unfinished state.
How do I get up?
In the Xbox Insider app, navigate to the “Tasks” tab. You will see a series of short surveys, each of which will give you a piece of XP to answer multiple choice questions. One of these activities is the “weekly pulse”, which requires the response to a serious stroke. This week? “When was the last time you submitted an error report?” It’s a lightweight 5 XP.
You even get experience points by completing the tutorial, which is called – Don’t Shit – “My First Search”. It consists of two questions. You will get 10 XP to stay through it, a task that will take you all 17 seconds.
It takes 20 XP to reach level two. Rank Delta, here I am!
Yes, yes, good for you. How much will this cost me?
Zero dollars. Come on, you’re basically testing product updates for Microsoft and that doesn’t mean anything from simple duntil the submission of each completed questionnaire. If there was anything, you should be getting paid.