Moving forward, players will have to earn the right to participate in more rapid release rings, posting user feedback, doing surveys, and more. You will not be able to opt-in at will, as you can on the Windows Insider Program. Instead, access will be granted based on points accumulated for participation.
As detailed on the Xbox Insider Forums, the new Xbox Insider Program will have four rings, similar to the Fast, Slow, and Release Preview rings available for Windows Insiders. The Alpha ring is most similar to the Fast ring, with users receiving 2-3 system updates per week, with higher chances of bugs as a result. This goes all the way to Preview Ring 4, which only receives the most stable builds once per month.
- Xbox One Update Preview Alpha – The first Preview ring, this group typically receives 2-3 new system updates per week during a Preview Update wave. Preview Alpha is the cutting edge, and users in this group receive access to new features and fixes as soon as possible at the expense of potential bugs.
- Xbox One Update Preview Beta – The second Preview ring, this group typically receives 1-2 new system updates per week during a Preview Update wave. Preview Beta users receive frequent system updates and early access to new features and fixes, with somewhat less risk of encountering bugs.
- Xbox One Update Preview Ring 3 – The third Preview ring, this group typically receives 2-3 new system updates per month during a Preview Update wave. Preview Ring 3 users receive infrequent system updates, and is suited for users who want early access to new features and fixes with less risk of encountering bugs.
- Xbox One Update Preview Ring 4 – The fourth and final Preview ring, this group typically receives new system updates about once per month. Preview Ring 4 users receive system updates which are almost ready for public release, and thus receive the fewest system updates and are least likely to encounter bugs. In some cases, Preview Ring 4 users may also receive updated versions of the current publicly released build incorporating new fixes.
Existing Xbox Insiders will be moved over to the different rings in the coming weeks based on their participation. You can raise your score by leaving feedback, reports, surveys, and doing polls available inside the Xbox Insider Hub. You can even lose access to the more advanced rings if your activity drops, so you better keep that feedback flowing.
Microsoft just launched a new build bringing a revamped dashboard, a new Guide menu, new Cortana features and much more. Head over here for more information on that.
What do you think of the new Xbox Insider Program system? Let us know in the comments.
