For years, the charming yet slightly pixelated cityscape of Roku City has lulled Roku subscribers into a cozy TV-watching daze. But those blurry nights are about to become a thing of the past. After years of loyal service, Roku is finally giving its iconic screensaver a much-needed resolution boost. Get ready to experience Roku City in all its high-definition glory, featuring sharper details and exciting new surprises hidden within the bustling cityscape. Keep reading to discover more about this long-overdue screensaver makeover.
Roku City goes high-definition
Debuting in 2018, Roku City quickly became a pixelated icon for streamers, though it’s long been limited to HD resolution (720p). But just in time for the holiday season, Roku is giving its iconic screensaver a fresh Full HD (1080p) update. This exciting upgrade, alongside other subtle yet impactful visual enhancements, is rolling out globally this week.
On supported devices with Full HD resolution or higher—now the standard for most users—Roku City will appear sharper and more vibrant than ever. The updated color palette retains its signature hues of purple, pink, and orange but adopts a sleeker, more polished look that brings the bustling cityscape to life. The result is a modernized design that preserves its charm while embracing the clarity of high-definition.
Other exciting changes to Roku City
Aside from the resolution upgrade, Roku City is also getting a livelier scene, including new interactive features.
“The Roku City that you know and love is buzzing with even more activity, including new Easter Eggs and the launch of the Roku City train station. See if you can spot them,” the streaming platform teased in an email announcement.
Sharp-eyed viewers will notice several new landmarks. In addition to the bustling train station, the virtual city now has a barber shop, a bus station, and a party boat floating on the water.
The streets of Roku City are also more dynamic than ever. Shining restaurants are filled with couples, parked cars hint at visitors exploring the area, and new Easter Eggs waiting to be discovered.
One keen viewer on X (formerly Twitter) spotted a bike with a crate, a subtle nod to Stephen Spielberg’s E.T. Meanwhile, a garage door reveals a car strikingly similar to the Ghostbusters’ Ectomobile, and a massive fraternity house with a football player statue salutes college sports fans.
Not everything has changed, though. Fans of Roku City will still recognize familiar touches, like the hitchhiking Santa, adding a nostalgic element to the updated scene.
One of the most exciting additions is interactive billboards scattered throughout the virtual city. By pressing the star button on your remote, viewers can access information about Roku’s original content, Roku Zones, and other features.
With so much to discover, Roku City’s new features might just steal the spotlight from your next streaming session. Whether you’re exploring Easter Eggs or soaking in the vibrant details, the updated skyline promises endless entertainment before you even press play.