Introduction

Microsoft has announced that the popular Xbox Achievements system is set to receive a number of major changes. These new features are designed to improve the user experience and increase player engagement. The first test phase begins on April 8, 2026, with Xbox Insiders getting the first chance to try out the changes.

Changes to appearance and functionality

The Xbox Achievements updates include a significant visual refresh. Notifications for earned achievements will get new icons and animations. One of the most notable changes is that the "Achievement unlocked" pop-up can now be shown in a user-selected color. This update is meant to make each notification feel more personal and boost player engagement.

In addition, there will be separate visual treatments for standard achievements and "Rare" achievements. The latter category, which represents less common accomplishments, will receive a special diamond marker.

New privacy settings

Alongside the visual changes, new privacy options are also being added. Players will soon be able to hide games from their public achievement history on their profile. This gives users the option to keep achievements for certain games private, while the games they have played will still count toward their total Gamerscore. This could be useful for players who prefer to keep certain accomplishments out of view.

Completion indicator

Another interesting addition is the ability for players to mark games they have completed 100%. This lets users show off their achievements and share them with others. The feature could help encourage more social interaction within the Xbox community.

Future improvements

According to Microsoft, these Xbox Achievements changes are only the beginning of a broader set of improvements coming in the future. The company says it is working on a wider range of updates that go beyond visual changes alone. Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, who took over the role from Phil Spencer in February, has assembled a team focused on gathering player feedback and exploring new ways to recognize achievements and milestone moments.

With these new features, Microsoft hopes to strengthen player engagement and offer a more personal achievements experience. The changes reflect feedback from gamers and are seen as an important step in the evolution of the Xbox ecosystem.