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Xbox Is Testing A New Streak Feature That Could Make Gaming Feel (More) Like A Chore
It looks like another new Xbox feature is in development, and this time, it's designed to encourage users to go on a hot streak--of using their console, not disrupting a sports event with a quick birthday-suit-run.
Spotted by Game File's Stephen Totilo, a new number appears to be popping up on the dashboard of Xbox users who are signed up for the Xbox Insider program, suggesting that a streak counter is in development. Microsoft hasn't formally announced this feature yet, and it looks like it kicks in after using your Xbox for three days in a row per week. It's an idea that Microsoft has experimented with in the past through Game Pass and the Xbox mobile app, but never to this extent with a prominent display of how many days in a row you've dedicated to playing Xbox games.
Is there any benefit to Streaks for Xbox users? Totilo's research suggests that it could be tied to Xbox reward points, which can be redeemed for digital items and Xbox gift cards. On Microsoft's side, this could also be a subtle way to keep users engaged more consistently, since the lure of a score streak is powerful. Just look at Wordle, with its subtle emphasis on keeping your streak going, or mobile free-to-play games that offer daily login rewards to tempt you to sign in regularly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRAhlxrLnAo&pp=0gcJCT8MAYcqIYzv
That could be good, bad, or irritating depending on how it is implemented, as Xbox users could find themselves regularly pinged on their progress while they're in the middle of a game. Your tolerance mileage might vary when it comes to these notifications, so hopefully there's an opt-out option if Streaks roll out. But as Totilo noted, just because Xbox is testing this new streak function doesn't mean it'll be implemented across the Xbox ecosystem in the future. The fine print for Xbox Insiders mentions that these features may not become "permanent additions" to Xbox.
One new addition to Xbox that has been confirmed are Mythic Achievements, which are designed to be proof of your accomplishments in a given video game. Similar to PlayStation Platinum Trophies, a Mythic Achievement is earned whenever all of the original achievements for a game have been earned.
