Featured Image Credit: Microsoft
Topics: Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Microsoft
There is nothing worse than sitting down to play your favourite game just to discover that it first needs to install a massive update, especially if your internet is as slow as mine.
This is a problem that curses us all, no matter our chosen platform but for Xbox users, its auto update feature leaves us with more questions than answers.
As with the majority of platforms, users have the option to enable auto updates, usually meaning that their installed games will automatically install any update or patch when available.
This is always a beneficial option, with many of us being unaware of any updates or patches until they have already been installed.
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However, when it comes to Xbox consoles, the small print has left players feeling frustrated on many occasions.
Spotted by user DaLegend28 over on r/xbox, there is a reason why some of our installed titles do not receive automatic downloads.
“What is the purpose of “automatic updates” if games don’t update automatically?” They asked.
It turns out that Xbox will only apply automatic updates to games that you have played in the past 28 days, whether it is installed or not.
“I discovered this when I had enough free time for the first time in over two months to get online,” they continued.
“Despite having a setting that states it will update my games turned on, every single game I tried to play required an update.
“Why would Microsoft restrict automatic updates to games that you’ve played in the past month?
“I might understand the idea that it’s pointless to update games you don’t play, but with 1TB or less of storage it should be safe to assume you play every game you have installed.”
It definitely is a confusing piece of small print, and one that many users were not aware of.
“Well that answers it for me too. I have auto updates turned on and things don't auto update. I wondered why,” the top comment read.
However, for user Ouglee, the feature makes sense.
“...but you DON'T play every game you have installed. At least not once per month,” they offered.
“The purpose is to minimize wait time on frequently used games/apps without wasteful overhead updating titles that are infrequently (or never) used.”
Although this makes sense, it should still be an option for users.
After all, many of us still enjoy returning to a game, even after a month and as said, there is nothing more frustrating than being met with a large update you do not expect.
So there you have it. If you have always wondered why your Xbox games do not always update, it is probably because you have not booted it up for the past month.
Damn that small print.