How to Participate in Xbox Research and Get Early Access to Games and Features on Xbox Series X|S

Xbox Series X|S users have a plethora of features and services to support their console gaming experience with Xbox, but what if you want to access new features and games before they are officially released?

Interestingly, Xbox provides a few key ways to access its releases early, but through Xbox Research you can access and feedback to Microsoft on many aspects of up-and-coming Xbox Series X|S content. But what exactly is Xbox Research, and how can you enroll in the program? Let’s take a look.

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What Is Xbox Research?

Before looking into how you can access and feedback on early access Xbox content for your Xbox Series X|S, let’s take a look at what the Xbox Research program actually is.

Similarly tohow Xbox Game Preview works, Xbox Research allows you to access in-development updates, services, and games that are in the works. The service then allows you to experience the early-access content, feedback to Microsoft, and help shape the development of upcoming Xbox releases.

A photograph of a man holding up a white Xbox One Controller

Through Xbox Research you will be expected to engage with Xbox on numerous early access features, including play-testing games before they are even available through an open beta or alpha-build.

Because of this, Xbox will expect participation in forms of feedback, but it also provides rewards in the form of free Xbox titles or even hardware for your time and participation.

A screenshot of the official webpage for Xbox Research

How You Can Participate in Xbox Research

Fundamentally, through Xbox Research you can expect to engage with Microsoft and Xbox in several ways when testing out early-access content. The methods of participating with Microsoft are as follows:

While all of these potential ways to engage and feedback on early access Xbox content are available to you through Xbox Research, it is up to your preference what sessions you do or do not engage in.

A photograph of a person using a wide screen monitor and using an Xbox One controller

How to Get Early Access to Upcoming Xbox Features and Games

Now you know what Xbox Research is and the kinds of early access testing you could be expected to feedback on, you may want to enroll as a participant in Xbox Research to start accessing early-access gaming titles.

If so, you will have to apply to take part in Xbox Research. However, keep in mind that not all applicants are accepted, and Xbox looks for certain types of gamers at certain times. So if you aren’t accepted at one time that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be accepted in the future.

A screenshot of the User Interview survey to apply to be apart of Xbox Research

To apply to take part in Xbox Research, you will first need to visit the official Xbox Research webpage as provided byXbox. Once you have accessed the Xbox Research page, follow these steps:

MSGUR will then require you to fill out some personal information and ask you Xbox-related questions to define your knowledge and interests in Xbox gaming. Once you have filled in all the required questions, Xbox Research will inform you via email whether you’re accepted or not.

While you canget new Xbox features and games early through the Xbox Insider Programwithout an application process, Xbox Research provides a more in-depth service that places you in a pivotal role and gives you greater access to pre-release content.

If your application is accepted you’re ready to start play-testing early access Xbox titles, and it’s possible to expect Xbox to contact you with numerous research opportunities, including the availability of playing Xbox Game Studios games pre-release, in the near future.

Test New Games and Features Early and Break the Mold With Xbox

Now you know what Xbox Research is, you can apply for the service and hopefully start to play-test for Xbox’s up-and-coming releases. And by doing so, you can help guide the future of Xbox services and its brand, breaking the mold of the relationship between developer and consumer.

And with Xbox focusing on more consumer-friendly and unconventionally ways of playing games, like removing the need for a console with Cloud Gaming, you can experience Xbox-related products and features in a variety of different ways.

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