Today Microsoft has given further detail on March’s Xbox One system update, which will focus on refining the system’s multiplayer and social features.
The Party chat audio will now be turned on by default when you enter a party which is a good idea not sure why it was turned off by default in the first place, and Microsoft has restored the ability to chat with friends playing different games (previously only possible via Skype).
Now your friends list will be made more accessible, too – it will be moved to the main screen of the Xbox One’s Friends app, instead of the social feed currently present.
With “invite friends to game” option for multiplayer titles will also be added, as will a “Recent Players” listing to find people you’ve recently played with online.
- Get to your friends list faster. The friends list will be front and center on the homepage of the Friends app. Click the Social tile on Home, or say “Xbox, go to Friends” to see who’s online and what they’re up to. From there you can quickly send messages and get into a party.
- Party chat will be turned on by default. When you party up, chat audio will be turned on by default.
- Chat with friends playing different games. Party chat will be separated from people playing your game, so you can chat with your friends who are online or you can chat with everyone playing the game.
- We’re adding an “Invite friends to game” option to your multiplayer titles moving forward. Similar to Xbox 360 titles, this will appear inside a games’ menu and offer a simple and quicker way to set up your multiplayer battles. Selecting “Invite friends” will let you invite friends to your game and party.
- We’re adding “Recent Players.” This is a simple list that shows you Xbox Live members you’ve recently played with, making it easier to stay in touch with people, or add new friends after your multiplayer battles.
Also today’s February system update had been delayed but will be released sometime this week.
FYI: The February #XboxOne System Update will ship this week, but not today. The team is working on finalizing. More details when I get them
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) February 11, 2014
This month’s firmware update will now arrive later this week, Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb confirmed via Twitter.
