One big new feature for Xbox gamers this generation has been the dynamic background option for Series X and S consoles. Microsoft, along with various third parties, regularly drops free dynamic backgrounds for us to enjoy, but do you actually use them? Or, are they a bit pointless with the current Xbox dashboard?
In theory, we're big fans of this feature. We used to love some of the cool backgrounds you'd get back in the 360 days, even if they were often a premium purchase back then. PS3 and PS4 had some great options as well, and generally speaking, we've always liked the idea of more 'dynamic' images on our Xbox dashboards.
Having said that, we still think the Xbox home screen is a bit cluttered to make proper use of dynamic backgrounds. If anything, the last dashboard update seems to have added even more content to the home screen, especially if you venture beyond the main page. A screen that makes better use of our backgrounds would be great, Microsoft!
Back to that point about past examples - although Xbox 360 and older PlayStation systems often had paid backgrounds, they were usually more in-depth. In fact, the best examples often presented themselves as an overall theme, where you had custom icons, animations and even audio in Sony's case. We appreciate the free drops, but if it meant more custom themes, we'd still be up for purchasing the odd one here and there.
Anyway, what do you think of dynamic backgrounds as they are right now? Have they lived up to expectations? Would you prefer more options, even if they'd be paid? Tell us your thoughts down below!
Comments 30
I do like them and I always have it as the game it is being played
Not really, for me at least. I don't really stare at my home screen much anyway. I prefer the option where the background changes to the game cover art of the selected game.
Unfortunately no, there's a load they could do to improve them, just look at how good they were on PS4 (Sony also haven't did well with the background features of the PS5 either, I wonder if it's a PS5/Xbox Series X|S thing,🤔) I just think it's a big missed opportunity
The ones that celebrate cultures, ethic heritage and LGBTQ+ ones are pretty kool but I find some aren't quite dynamic enough.
I believe currently have the Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 one set as mine.
There's potential, it's just under used.
Yes, I use them regularly, I like them.
Most of them are very simple, but I prefer it to put “videos” in the background that consume too many resources.
I like and use them, but some are stretching the dynamic backgrounds term.
Not really. The a imatied bits are few and far between. And on some of the better backgrounds, like Pentiment's, all the nice animation is hidden by the godawful UI and ads.
for the amount of effort it must take to produce them, there is no excuse not to have a wider range to choose from, but they're cool. love the halo one
Wait what? We are supposed to be hyped about pictures with often microscopic parts that may flash occasionally.
WOW 😮
One of the first that they added, motes, is still my favorite. Right now I've got the Captain Titus one though, Space Marine 2 hype (my avatar is still the 360 version wearing the Space Marine 1 t-shirt since that game came out!).
My favorite feature is the more recently added backgrounds swapping to what game you have highlighted. I think that's super cool.
Who thought up this question fam
I haven't changed my background in 9 years. It's still a BMW E30 from an achievment in Need for Speed 2015.
Hype? It's a background..
No to be honest I remember the PS3 had better dynamic backgrounds than was over a decade ago!! And let's be honest where the fcuk is the gears one I don't care if there's no new games out I want one!!💩🤌
Not really. Surprised they aren't offered on PS5 now too.
I like them but there could be more of them. I tend to stick with the grounded one.
They need to add more, they haven’t added any new ones in what feels like an eternity.
They definitely lean disappointing. Most seem like HQ gifs. I appreciate the heritage ones, tho they usually look a bit gaudy to me.
The one I've kept on my dash for months is the Pentiment one. Nice art and decently noticable movement.
I love them and use them often. I wish my PS5 had them.
I'm an Xbox guy, but the PS4 themes were a lot cooler.
Most of them are really lacking on the 'dynamic' part, and not thought out at all on what parts/how much will be covered by the menus.
Nothing in Xbox this gen has lived up to the hype…
Like them but always underwhelmed by them.
There aren’t enough of them, they’re not very dynamic, and most of them are for games I don’t care about. Also some just aren’t very suitable for a Home Screen.
better than shallow station 5 thats absolutely bleak
Not amazing tbh. They are nicer, but they are hard to see and don’t move half as much as you’d expect.
Would rather a more throughout redesign of he dash for a new gen machine, over some slight animation.
(I leave the OG Xbox greenball one on)
Hell no it’s very low budget with barely anything moving in 2024 and should’ve had live wallpaper for every single Xbox ip
They should also add holiday editions / seasons like fall leave and snowing
I kinda like ‘em, but would appreciate the option to buy more customised backgrounds too / or maybe a way to make our own. Now that would be cool.
honestly, they are pretty bad and i never use them, they barely move so i prefer to use a screenshot taken by me or achievement art from games that bothered with it. Now if i could only remove all that ad space so i could see the background more...
They are alright but nothing to really scrape an article together about haha
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