Ads on Xbox Consoles Are Getting Worse

Ads on Xbox Consoles Are Getting Worse

As a long-time Xbox enthusiast who has been gaming on Microsoft consoles since the early days, I must say I am growing increasingly disenchanted with the recent trend of intrusive ads on my beloved Xbox Series X|S. The dashboard used to be a sanctuary where I could immerse myself in the world of gaming without distractions, but now it’s become a billboard for endless advertisements.


The advertising experience on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles is deteriorating, with Microsoft increasingly pushing ads into users’ gaming space. Over time, these intrusive ads have become a source of frustration for Xbox fans due to their cluttering and disruptive nature on the Xbox Series X|S dashboard. Additionally, reports suggest that Microsoft might introduce an Xbox Game Pass tier requiring players to watch ads before playing games. This proposal aligns with Microsoft’s previously stated intention to integrate ads into games, which sparked threats of boycotts among Xbox fans last year. Despite the negative response from the public, Microsoft has shown no signs of addressing these concerns and instead seems to be intensifying its approach.

Toward the end of last year, Xbox started testing full-screen pop-up ads when their gaming consoles were turned on. These ads appeared with games like Starfield and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which are part of Bethesda and Activision’s product line. The Xbox community strongly disliked this feature and it hasn’t been seen since the launch of Call of Duty. However, it has resurfaced, and unfortunately, it seems to be even more annoying now.

Lately, when some Xbox Series X|S users turn on their gaming consoles, they’ve encountered a fresh pop-up ad promoting EA Sports FC 25 that covers the entire screen. What makes this situation troubling is that EA Sports FC 25 isn’t an Xbox product, implying that this advertising practice may expand to include third-party games, making it more frequent.

Unfortunately for those hoping to avoid issues in the latest gaming generation on Xbox One, you should know that your console might not be a secure haven. Although the practice didn’t begin with the Xbox One, these consoles have since been updated to accommodate the same kind of advertisements.

Ads on Xbox Consoles Are Getting Worse

As an ardent Xbox fan, I must admit, I wasn’t too thrilled with the recent ad campaign and the resurrection of a concept that many believed we successfully boycotted. It’s unclear what Microsoft’s strategy is regarding this type of advertising, but it seems they haven’t given up on it yet.

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H/T, Tom Warren.

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2024-09-22 17:39