Xbox Insider Program Opens Previews To Everyone: Here's How To Join

Microsoft has announced that it will be simplifying the user testing tiers in its Xbox Insider program. Though the biggest and earlier updates will still be restricted significantly, Microsoft is now allowing everyone to opt into the Xbox Insider program. These follow changes that expanded the Xbox Insider program, but still kept it exclusive to a certain degree.

In a post to the Xbox Wire blog, Microsoft outlines the four new rings that will exist in the Xbox Insider program. The Alpha and Beta rings are staying mostly the same, while Rings 3 and 4 have been renamed Delta and Omega, respectively. With these changes, everyone who owns an Xbox One will be able to join the Omega way and work their way up the ranks from there. Here's a breakdown of what each ring will grant users:

So, you'll begin your Xbox Insider journey in Omega ring, and while you're a member of that ring, you'll be limited to testing minor changes to existing updates. Microsoft also states that Omega users will get early access to some monthly dates before they hit general availability.

Stick with the program for a month and ascend to Xbox Insider Level 2 or higher, and you'll gain access to Delta group. After three months in the program and an Xbox Insider level of 4, you'll be able to join the Beta group. For now, Microsoft is keeping the Alpha ring as an invite-only affair, so once you're in the Beta or Delta rings, you'll need to keep testing updates and games, hoping that Microsoft notices the work that you're putting in. It seems that players in the Omega ring won't receive invites to the Alpha ring.

Microsoft also notes that users in higher tiers will continue to have access to lower rings. This, importantly, means that you're able to drop down to a lower ring during months when you're concerned about bandwidth usage or when you know that you won't be able to test as much.

Finally, Microsoft says that it's working with first and third-party game developers to secure more alpha and beta tests for Xbox Insider users. So, if you stick with the program, you'll be invited to early access game testing in addition to the standard Xbox update testing you'll do.

All in all, it sounds like Xbox Insider is becoming a better platform for those who get a lot of mileage out of their consoles and would like to provide feedback for the platform directly to Microsoft. If you want to get started in the Omega ring, you simply need to download the Xbox Insider Hub from the Xbox Store. Are you going to join the Xbox Insider program now that these new rules are in place? Head down to the comments section and let us know!