The Xbox February 2025 update has been unveiled by Microsoft this week, and it's a little different to usual - it's mainly focused around Xbox Cloud Gaming, so there's not really much here if you're just a console user alone.
Nevertheless, there are some new features that you might be interested in - particularly if you're an xCloud fan!
Here's an overview of the Xbox February 2025 update, with more details available at Xbox Wire:
Send Invite Links With Xbox Cloud Gaming
"Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on their web browsers and supported TVs can generate links to invite other Game Pass Ultimate members to join their gaming sessions.
While playing a multiplayer game with Xbox Cloud Gaming, Game Pass Ultimate members can create an invite link by opening the game invite menu from the Guide or in-game, then looking for the “Anyone” tab. Copy the link and send it to your friends to join your gaming session."
New 'Stream Your Own Game' Additions
"This month, we’re adding even more games to the stream your own game collection. Game Pass Ultimate members can stream 50+ cloud playable games on supported devices if you own them."
Recently Added: Blasphemous 2, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Slime Rancher 2, Subnautica, Subnautica: Below Zero, The Talos Principle 2, Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered.
Coming Soon: Atomic Heart, Cult of the Lamb, Hotline Miami, Killer Frequency, Neva, Overcooked! All You Can Eat, Phamtom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate, Serious Sam Collection, Trepang2, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition.
Network Quality Indicator for Xbox Cloud Gaming
"Now available to everyone, the new network quality indicator will help to diagnose potential network issues during streamed gaming sessions. Most audio and video issues are caused by problems with the network connection. This new feature helps track the quality of the network connection while gaming on Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on supported devices."
Xbox Controller Firmware Update
"We released a firmware update for the Xbox Wireless Controller that includes improvements to thumbstick auto-centering, trigger adjustments, and mouse-to-thumbstick inputs. Install this update through the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One or Windows PC."
Which of these February 2025 Xbox features are you excited for? Let us know in the comments below.
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Comments 18
Did they quietly bump the cloud capacity up from 5000 concurrent in the UK? I almost never get queued now.
@Kaloudz It's funny you mention that, because I tried to stream Watch Dogs Legion on my Xbox last night and encountered queueing for the first time. It said the estimated wait was 35-40 minutes.
Add remote play to gather. I want to play local games with my friends.
Woo woo who doesn't love a controller update honestly💃
"improvements to thumbstick auto-centering" but you still can't increase the dead-zones in the app... unless you pay for an Elite controller. It's frustrating as just slightly increasing the dead-zone would fix drift on plenty of controllers.
@outswimmingtheflood Ohhh, maybe the cap is still at 5K then. Unless they raised it and more people were trying to play it but yeah, I've not had it for a long long time.
35-45 minutes though 😳..
@Ricky-Spanish it's my second favourite thing after Switch firmware stability updates.
That’s cool, but it would be even better if MS bumped the stream bitrate and overall quality. I like xCloud, but Amazon Luna and Gerforce Now wipe the floor with it in terms of graphical fidelty.
Need higher bitrate and 4K like PSN offers!
Apart from the (welcome) controller firmware, this is all just cloud related. I don’t know why they’re forcing console users to look at the Insider update notes to see the actual changes to the console OS itself. If you’re interested in what has actually changed in this update you can see the release notes for February here:
https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/hardware-network/xbox-insider-release-notes/console/omega-ring-browse
@Markatron84 Oh yeah now that hits the spot right there💆
Incredible, how many updates for a controller there have been until now. If they just could patch the drift effect 😁
@Nintendo4Sonic They could but don't want to!
Too much money to be made selling more new controllers!
Half my library dissapeared, so maybe this fixes it?
I know it’s not financially in their interests but it would be great if you could stream old purchases like Forza Horizon 2.
I want something that makes the buttons more responsive on the controller.
Playing Avowed has really highlighted an issue that has always been there - so many double inputs needed.
nice update
it fixed the thumbstick auto-centering problem
I thought my controller was broken and I was sad
after the update, it was fixed
@Ricky-Spanish yeah it's a shame. If they could just use these hall effect kits.
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