Xbox is changing the process of making connections on its gaming platform, and the new method is much the same as on other social platforms: you send a friend request, which is either accepted or rejected.
While this seems like an obvious way for this feature to work, Xbox has taken a more passive approach to friends in recent console generations. The current system allows anyone to add another Xbox account to their follow list, and once the two accounts follow each other, they are upgraded to friends.
Microsoft
This change shouldn’t cause any major changes to players’ social tabs. If you’re already friends, you’ll stay friends. If it’s not a mutual account, you’ll continue to follow the account. This means you can still see the latest updates from individuals, clubs, and games across the Xbox ecosystem.
Xbox is also introducing new privacy and notification options to manage friend rekindling, letting players set who can follow them or send them friend requests. The blog post didn’t mention a general release date for the new friends system, but it’s available as a preview for members of the Xbox Insiders program starting this week.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a wave of Xbox news over the past month, as the company also introduced its Game Pass Standard plan and opened pre-orders for the all-digital Xbox Series X.
