I’ve fallen in love with my Xbox Series X. Whether it’s things like Game Pass or Quick Resume, the console has fast become a close companion. But there are two things it needs to truly thrive: more games and a media mode.
The first point is something we’ve covered before. For a myriad of reasons (read: the pandemic, supply chain issues, and the lifespan of previous consoles), we’ve yet to see many true AAA next-gen games appear on the Series X. This though, is already changing with titles like Flight Simulator and the upcoming Forza Horizon 5.
But something that could really drive the Series X and S upwards is a fully functional Xbox media mode.
What the hell is an Xbox media mode?
Let me explain. Since having the console, it has become my central point for content consumption. Any sort of video streaming, I now run through the device — as do the non-gamers in my household.
This shift of game consoles to entertainment centers isn’t new. It’s been happening since they put DVD players in the machines. However, I’d argue it hasn’t quite ‘clicked’ yet.
In many ways, a true next-gen experience is understanding that consoles like the Xbox Series X aren’t only for gaming aficionados. Instead, they should be designed as fully-fledged media units.
Here’s where we bump into an issue though: the console’s horrible UI.
Microsoft has done a terrible job with this confusing and garish interface. I get the logic behind the decision — it’s familiar to Windows and Xbox users, after all — but for the general public? It’s a damn nightmare.