Xbox Series X and S get new startup animation and Gamerscore badges

Microsoft is rolling out a refreshed Xbox startup experience to Xbox Insiders, with a wider release planned for all Xbox Series X and S players in the coming weeks. The update adds a new boot animation, a new sound, and the latest Xbox logo with the familiar green styling.

The new startup animation was teased earlier by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, and it is now beginning to appear for Insider members. It is part of a wider Xbox update that also includes new Gamerscore badges and better library filters.

The Gamerscore badges are the more practical long term change for achievement hunters. Xbox players will now receive tiered badges based on their lifetime Gamerscore. These badges will appear on the player profile and inside the Guide, giving others a quick way to see a player’s achievement history.

The badges range from 1,000 Gamerscore to 10 million Gamerscore. As your total score increases, the badge changes to reflect your progress. It is a small feature, but it gives long time Xbox players a clearer way to show how much they have played over the years.

Microsoft is also improving the Games and Apps library. New filters will make it easier to see which games you own, which games are shared with you, and which installed games you no longer have access to. That should help reduce confusion, especially if you use multiple consoles, game sharing, or subscription libraries.

The update does not completely change the Xbox dashboard, but it adds useful polish. The startup animation gives the console a fresher identity, while Gamerscore badges give achievement progress more visibility.

For players who care about achievements, this may be one of the more welcome profile updates in a while. For everyone else, the improved library filters should make day to day use a little clearer.