Xbox Series X And S Make It Much Easier To Take Screenshots And Videos

Xbox One's screenshot and video capture options have always required an extra step of input from users, as the standard controller doesn't have a button dedicated solely to that task. In comparison, the PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 controller has had a much simpler solution in place since it debuted in 2014: A Share button, that can be used to record gameplay, take screenshots, and start a livestream of a game.

While the Xbox App, formerly known as SmartGlass, gave users a more comprehensive solution to this issue last year in February, it wouldn't be until December 2019's reveal of the Xbox Series X that a redesigned controller with its own Share button for easier content creation would be confirmed. In a new trailer showing off this feature, Microsoft has revealed how users will be able to capture gaming moments through the Share button on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S consoles.

The new Xbox controller can grab a screenshot with a simple button press, while briefly holding it will record gameplay. Once the content has been captured, it can be uploaded to Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Users will also be able to share content in their Xbox activity feed with their friends. Microsoft says that the new sharing experience that has been built will "make it easier than ever to share your game clips and screenshots with friends from your mobile phone."

Game captures can presently be recorded on an Xbox One console's internal storage, although this feature is limited and videos can't exceed ten minutes in length. Alternatively, 1080p footage on Xbox One and 4K content from an Xbox One X console can be saved directly to a USB drive.

Microsoft's week has gotten off to a busy start, as not only do preorders for the Xbox Series X and Series S go live on September 22, but it has also just forked out $7.5 billion for ZeniMax Media and Bethesda Softworks.