Some Xbox players have expressed dissatisfaction with the newly introduced Game Hubs feature, yet there’s a straightforward method to disable it. This feature was included in a recent Xbox update but received mixed reactions as it added an extra step for players to jump straight into their games.
The Xbox Series X/S launched on November 10, 2020. Since then, Microsoft has frequently updated the console to introduce new features. Although Microsoft has not disclosed exact sales figures recently, earlier estimates suggested that the Xbox Series X/S sold around 30 million units by November 2024.
Now, Microsoft has rolled out the Game Hubs feature during a recent Xbox Series X/S update that hasn’t been well received by some gamers. When Game Hubs is enabled, players are taken to a screen displaying title information, such as achievements, friends currently playing the game, and available add-ons, rather than allowing them to engage with the game immediately. Fortunately, deactivating this feature is quite simple. To disable Xbox’s Game Hubs:
- Navigate to “My Games and Apps” on the Xbox home screen.
- Select “Apps,” followed by “Settings,” “General,” “Personalization,” and finally “Games and Apps.”
- Scroll right and uncheck all three boxes under the message: “Choose whether game hubs open automatically from the following places.”
Not all recent updates to the Xbox system have been negatively received; for instance, last month, Microsoft improved the Home screen UI, providing gamers with more ways to customize their interfaces.
Additionally, Xbox recently added 15 new titles to the “Stream Your Own Game” service, allowing players of popular games like Final Fantasy 16, Nier: Automata, and Valheim to stream them via Xbox’s cloud gaming services.
As for the future, it’s uncertain how Xbox will develop in the years ahead. Besides the already announced Xbox handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, Microsoft is also working on its next-generation console, though specific details remain scarce. Recent rumors suggest that the next-gen Xbox could be twice as powerful as the Series X/S and might launch in 2027. Nevertheless, it’s wise to approach rumors cautiously and anticipate an official announcement from Microsoft regarding the platform.
