Xbox owners wishing for a way to speed up their game downloads while playing other titles now have their prayers answered via a new update to the Xbox dashboard. Microsoft announced a new “suspend my game” feature that will help speed up downloads for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. 

For now, the feature is only visible to members of the Xbox Insider Program, Microsoft’s platform for testing new updates before they’re released to the wider public. The update allows users to speed up any active downloads while suspending games in the background. The best part is you’ll be able to resume playing that suspended title exactly where you left off once the download concludes. For Xbox Series X or S owners, jumping back in is even quicker thanks to Quick Resume. 

Hey Xbox Insiders! Did you notice these changes rolling out now? Suspend in the queue will let you download at full speed while making sure your game remains resumable (or quick resume-able on Series X|S). New banners in the Full Library will take you to more useful categories! pic.twitter.com/L49winRpM0

— Eden Marie (@neonepiphany) March 16, 2021

Eurogamer points out that the reason this wasn’t the case before is because the Xbox reserves a portion of your internet bandwidth for online uses (like multiplayer gaming) while games are running. Once you quit or suspend a title, that connection is unlocked. 

The update should now be available for Xbox Insider Alpha and Beta tier members to test. There’s currently no word on when it will launch for all users. The update also adds a nifty banner that clearly displays both incoming and outgoing Xbox Game Pass titles. 

This latest technical perk comes after a series of performance enhancing upgrades for Xbox Series X. With Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Zenimax, certain Bethesda games have been boosted with improved framerates. There’s also new gameplay benefits for backwards compatible titles. 

Are you looking forward to the new update? If you’re a member of the Xbox Insider program, have you had a chance to try this out? If so, what do you think? Hit us up with those thoughts in the comments! 

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Hey Xbox Insiders! Did you notice these changes rolling out now? Suspend in the queue will let you download at full speed while making sure your game remains resumable (or quick resume-able on Series X|S). New banners in the Full Library will take you to more useful categories! pic.twitter.com/L49winRpM0

Back in February, Sony confirmed the return of the PlayStation Play at Home program that allows for fans of Team Blue to enjoy even more free games. This initiative was a huge help in 2020 with much of the world under isolation orders due to COVID-19, and Sony is looking to continue that same love for this year as well. 

Play at Home 2021 began earlier this month with Ratchet & Clank on March 1 as a freebie. March 25 heralds in an extended access period for anime lovers with Funimation and that was just the start of the Play at Home program that is ongoing until June.

Free PlayStation games coming March 25

March 25 is when the Play at Home celebration kicks it up a notch with 10 free titles to enjoy. Some of the games included are amazing picks for those gamers that are looking for a little more peace in their offtime. Games like Abzû and Subnautica are perfect for just that, offering a chance to explore beautiful underwater worlds filled with adventure and intrigue.

Moss is another single-player adventure that offers up a nice, relaxing experience playing as an adorable young mouse named Quill. Quill may be tiny, but she's got some massive dreams, and being able to explore a stunning world as this cute little explorer is an enjoyable ride for those that seek a journey rooted in exploration and discovery. 

For the full list of free games arriving on March 25: 

• Abzû
• Enter the Gungeon 
• Rez Infinite
• Subnautica
• The Witness
• Astro Bot Rescue Mission
• Moss
• Thumper
• Paper Beast

The above selection of PlayStation 4 and PSVR titles will go free-to-download on March 25 at 8:00 p.m. Pacific. In the latest blog post from Sony, the company also teased even bigger announcements in April, in addition to Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition going free between April 19 through May 14. 

PlayStation is doing more than just releasing a statement; the company is putting its money where its proverbial mouth is. Earlier today, we shared Bandai Namco's statement regarding a more personal stand against the rise of anti-Asian crimes that have been increasing since the start of COVID-19 isolation orders. Now, PlayStation is lending its voice and a call-to-action to do more than just talk. 

Sony took to the PlayStation Twitter account with the following message: "We are troubled by a recent pattern of violence targeting the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. It's time to take action." Sony Interactive Entertainment then shared that the company is making a donation to "Stop AAPI Hate" and urges its community to do the same. 

We are troubled by a recent pattern of violence targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. It’s time to take action.

SIE is making a donation to Stop AAPI Hate, and we hope you can too. Learn how you can help here: https://t.co/vVdvczmgme

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) March 17, 2021

The United States has a long history regarding its mistreatment of Asian communities, even though our education system likes to ignore the darker parts of our own involvement. Hate crimes against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities are nothing new, but it has been escalating at an alarming rate over the past year. That escalation was felt when eight people were murdered on March 17 in a string of shootings across the Atlanta, Georgia area. The attack targeted women of Asian descent, a senseless and hateful crime that immediately resulted in a push for action. 

With an increase of over 1900% in the US since the start of quarantine orders due to COVID-19, it's long past time for people to start speaking up and out against the violence. The physical violence, the killings, the vandalism? None of it is acceptable, but there are ways we can band together to help. Sony linked to a phenomenal resource in its initial post. You can find even more resources right here for ways that you can help and spread the word. 

[Update]: Shortly after this article went live, Xbox also offered its own statement. Xbox exec Phil Spencer writes, "Hate has no home on Xbox. Team Xbox is appalled by the violence and racism against Asian communities. For all Asian players and peers, I want you to know that we see you, we hear you, and w will and must do more together to #StopAsianHate."