Check out Xbox's new Community Calendar, available now to NXOE insiders

The New Xbox One Experience updates are marching on, with the most recent build delivering controller remapping and various other improvements.

While we wait for new OS builds, Microsoft has introduced a new feature accessible via the Xbox One Preview Dashboard. The new Beta Games and Apps section will provide insiders with access to in-development content for Xbox One. The first app to feature in the new section is the Community Calendar app, which provides a way to keep track of various events Xbox fans may find relevant, all in a single place.

How to download the new Community Calendar

If you're in the NXOE preview, you can access the new Community Calendar using the following steps:

  • Go to your Games and Apps
  • Select the Xbox Preview Dashboard app
  • Click on the new Beta Games and Apps tile
  • From there, you can redeem access to the new Community Calendar, and then download it

The new Community Calendar parses filterable events and opportunities the Xbox community might find interesting. For now, this includes game launches (although as of writing, there's quite a few missing), various scheduled live streams with first and third party game developers, sweepstakes and upcoming Games with Gold.

Clicking on a calendar event gives you more information, and allows you to jump into the event's relevant apps, usually either Twitch or the game store.

While the calendar isn't populated with a great deal of content right now, the category filter reveals Microsoft's ideas for future additions.

The complete filter list includes the following topics and descriptions:

  • Tournaments - Major eSports events broadcasted here. Watch the best of the best compete for the title of Champion.
  • Sweepstakes - Win cool stuff.
  • Livestreams - Tune in to Twitch to see community managers and guests showcase awesome games.
  • Gatherings - Streams hosted by the community, for the community. Xbox Ambassadors and Community Managers put on Gatherings for you to learn game strategies, meet new players, and talk about the latest news.
  • Game With Fame - Tune in to Twitch for your chance to play with top celebrities and industry leaders. Join in and play, chat & ask questions, or just watch the fun unfold.
  • Game Launch - Finally! Now you can see the launch dates of games coming to Xbox One, all in one place.
  • Game Add-Ons - From Minecraft texture packs to new Forza cars, find out when you can get more of your favorite games.
  • Free Stuff - You're part of the Xbox community, and we love you, so have some free stuff. Here you'll find Free Movie Weekends, Games with Gold, and Free to Play games.
  • Community Programming - Original content brought to you by Xbox.

Some of the tiles in the calendar are 'sponsored' by third parties, so presumably other game publishers will be able to advertise their streams on this calendar as well, should it escape beta.

If you live and breath Xbox, having all the relevant events in one place will prove handy - particularly if they add it as a glanceable live tile in the community section. Hint, hint Mr. Ybarra!

Are you in the NXOE? Will you use the community calendar? Let us know below - and don't forget to complete your survey in the Xbox Preview Dashboard app!

Jez Corden
Co-Managing Editor

Jez Corden a Managing Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by caffeine. Follow on Twitter @JezCorden and listen to his Xbox Two podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!

25 Comments
  • So we'll be getting all these when the NXOE goes public?
  • They have not said yet.
  • How do I get in the preview?
  • It is now full and closed.
  • US only?
  • Nope!!!
  • This is actually a neat idea, i always miss things because i forget dates, hopefully we can set reminders for specific events, maybe get a mobile push notification through the wp games app or something of the sort
  • Amazing app.
  • Downloaded last night. Going to give it another look.
  • I wonder will u be able to sync the calendar to outlook eventually
  • Oh W10 how I enjoy thee. Keep making my devices better.
  • Love the new layout. I'll have to check for this update
  • I love it too except my games and apps are too far away. Needs to be a slide up top.
  • Left and right triggers.
  • Thats still two trigger pulls and then hit A, I want everything right away. My pins is nice, but without being able to organize them it becomes a mess fast.
  • Community Calendar is a good idea. Unfortunately, I can't even install it because the app to intall it crashes incessantly. This newest update made things far worse for me, particularly video playback, which is totally broken. Most frustrating, though, is that Kinect gestures still don't work at all but Microsoft still refuses to acknowledge that.
  • I'm glad this came about! I always wanted to see a general overview of these events. Hopefully it becomes built into the Xbox App rather than a separate download.
  • Can anyone please invite me to NXOE insider program? My gamer tag is rthunder772.
  • They closed invites
  • Awesome.
  • Will have to check this out, just got the update yesterday.
  • I like it. I had an issue downloading it, but after a reboot it installed and works just fine.
    I think its an amazing tool to keep hardcore gamers informed about their titles and shows newcomers what the Xbox is all about, community. So far, loving it. Latest update... not very good as another user stated. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • Nice idea!
  • Bout time.
  • This is kinda awesome, I like the calendar, I like knowing what's coming up and what games are coming out soon so it comes in handy. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android