February Xbox update brings stick drift reduction and more

Microsoft releases new software updates for its Xbox consoles at a regular cadence, adding both small and large changes alike. February’s update is available now and brings with it some much needed new functionality – including a way to circumvent stick drift.

Making the announcement on the Xbox blog, Jonathan Hildebrandt – the Principal Group Product Manager for Xbox Experiences – said “Team Xbox continues to bring new ways to make Xbox better, with players at the center, as we refine the experience and deliver brand-new features based on player feedback.”

This update brings with it 3 small yet significant changes and additions, the first being the option for touch controls when using Xbox remote play on mobile. While in no way the most optimal way to play a game, having the option to control your Xbox using virtual buttons can be useful in a number of scenarios – be it for a quick way to change some system settings or even just to pick up a new limited-time cosmetic.

Perhaps the most impactful change with this update is the addition of a new thumbstick calibration tool, letting players adjust the sensitivity and range of the stick’s movement, allowing you to adjust its deadzone and more. Considering all three console manufacturers have suffered from controller drift (to varying degrees), having the ability to alleviate this defect is welcome indeed.

Finally, the last major change with this update is the improved filter system for your library, now being able to sort tiles by accessibility, supported languages, and technical features.

While it is surprising to see that some of these features were not available already, their additions are certainly welcome.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the update? Which new feature will be the most useful to you? Have you had controller drift issues? Let us know down below.

Become a Patron!