Microsoft Revives Xbox Friend Requests: What Gamers Need To Know

After a ten-year hiatus, Microsoft is planning to bring the Xbox friend requests feature back. In a latest Xbox Wire post, Microsoft revealed that the Xbox will revive the friend requests option with the latest “friends and followers experience”. This exciting news marks a significant return to social connectivity among gamers on the platform.

According to the revelation, Xbox Insiders can try out a redesigned friend and follower experience. The feature will only be available to Alpha Skip-Ahead users on Xbox consoles, as well as users that have joined the PC Gaming preview on Windows PCs and handheld devices. This exclusive rollout allows dedicated players to experience and provide feedback on the new system before it becomes widely available.

Xbox Friend Requests Are Back

With the revival of the friend requests option, gamers can finally enjoy the social features that were absent since 2013. In the past, Xbox players could follow others and check their feeds, but mutual following was necessary for becoming friends. This meant that players could connect, game, and chat together only if both parties agreed to the friendship.

The upcoming system, initially available to insiders, allows Xbox users to manage their friends through the People tab. This new tab will enable users to view their friends, review requests, and send friend invitations easily. This streamlined approach aims to enhance user experience and improve social interaction within the Xbox community.

According to Xbox, “following someone remains a one-way connection, allowing you to stay updated with their shared content, whether it’s another player, club, or game.” This distinction is crucial as it allows users to keep track of content from others without the pressure of reciprocating a friendship.

However, the dynamics of friendship are changing. Microsoft emphasizes that “Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility.” This means players will have a greater say in who they connect with on the platform, enhancing privacy and personal control over their gaming experience.

Gamers can now manage who can send them friend requests from their Xbox console as well as other devices or browsers. The introduction of an improved notifications system is another promising feature that aims to keep users informed about their gaming connections. With these enhancements, Xbox hopes to make its platform more competitive in the ongoing battle with other gaming consoles like the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X.

Are you excited about the return of friend requests on Xbox after a decade? Will you be ready to dive into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on day one with your friends? Share your thoughts in the comments below!