Owners of the Xbox Series X|S should soon experience improved social interactions thanks to the revival of a beloved feature from the classic Xbox 360 era. When the Xbox One debuted in 2013, many loyal users were disappointed by the console’s transition from Friend Requests to a Followers system, which turned its multiplayer hub into something resembling a social network. For over ten years, players have been requesting the return of Friend Requests, and it appears Microsoft has finally responded to these appeals.
According to an announcement on the official Xbox blog, Microsoft has confirmed the reintroduction of Friend Requests for Alpha Skip-Ahead users on Xbox consoles and Gaming Preview participants on PC. This updated system will coexist with Followers, enabling users to send and approve requests, rather than merely following someone and hoping for a reciprocal follow. After the latest patch, players’ existing lists of friends and followers will automatically update, making the transition to the new interface seamless.
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The Xbox community has long pondered why the platform replaced Friend Requests with Followers, as the former was generally more effective. In theory, Followers allow players to keep up with their favorite streamers and internet personalities while preventing those accounts from becoming overwhelmed. However, the downside is that it becomes challenging to distinguish between users since Friends are automatically added as Followers unless they reciprocate the follow.
This convoluted system has never made much sense. At its launch, the Xbox One was marketed as a way to unite the community, with a focus on the console functioning as an entertainment and media hub rather than exclusively a gaming device. This approach has been widely criticized, as many believe the current social system is disorganized and cumbersome, representing a noticeable decline from the straightforwardness of the Xbox 360.
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The exact timeline for when Friend Requests will exit the testing phase remains uncertain, but it is anticipated that the feature will reach most players within the next few months. This UI update is yet another nod to the classic era, as Microsoft recently honored the 360 era by introducing a new Dashboard inspired by the cherished “Blades” menu. Xbox Series X|S users can look forward to a more streamlined social experience.
Source: Xbox
