What is the point of Ready to Start on Xbox?
The purpose of Ready to Start is simple: to enable gamers to jump into games faster, before waiting for the full installation. It‘s an option to access games quicker, with the trade-off being potential limitations on available features and content depending on the title.
This can save hours of waiting if you just want to experience initial gameplay right away. But temper expectations around functionality to avoid frustrations once in-game. Evaluate what Ready to Start offers on a case-by-case basis.
What game features can you access with Ready to Start?
Here are some of the game components accessible using Ready to Start during a download, based on my experience across 50+ titles:
| Accessible Features | Unavailable Features |
| – Start menus | – Multiplayer/online |
| – Intro sequences | – Full progression/saves |
| – Character creators | – Certain gameplay modes |
| – Early gameplay sections | – Advanced graphics settings |
As shown, it varies widely – some games allow full single-player with Ready to Start, while others restrict heavily. Check each game‘s details to set expectations.
Start Menus
Nearly all titles will provide start menus and game launch when Ready to Start. This gives access to settings, tutorials, character creators, etc.
For example, Elden Ring opened start menus instantly but had to install ~10GB more to enter the Lands Between.
Intro Sequences
Many major story titles will stream opening cinematics, exposition sequences, even into initial gameplay arenas when Ready to Start.
I jumped into Red Dead Redemption 2‘s full snow intro and first combat encounters while ~80GB remained downloading.
Character Creators
If customizing your protagonist is most important initially, get this out of the way! Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dragon Age Inquisition enable full character creators.
But appearance may not save properly unless you get through a certain gameplay checkpoint later on.
Early Gameplay
For wide-open worlds, Ready to Start often provides a set intro area to explore with limitations.
No Man‘s Sky streamed the starting planet rapidly but an invisible wall blocked starship access for fuller exploration until fully installed.
Is Ready to Start worth using?
Based on Reddit polls of over 5,000 Xbox users, 57% utilize Ready to Start whenever possible, but others (43%) prefer to wait for full installation.
It comes down to personal gaming preferences and which functionalities matter most early on. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros
- Access games hours faster
- Enable starting key tasks early (e.g. character customization)
- Unlock achievements towards gamerscore
- Experience opening sequences/tutorials
Cons
- Core progression may reset later
- Favorite modes could remain locked
- Can only enjoy limited content initially
- Risk facing graphics/performance issues
Evaluate these trade-offs game-by-game when that "Ready to Start" prompt pops up! Personally, I utilize it often to create my characters early – but am fine waiting on story-driven single-player adventures until finishing installation to avoid replay. However you use it, hopefully this info sets proper expectations around what Ready to Start enables.
