When the Xbox One was released in 2013, Microsoft did away with the classic friend request system, replacing it with a follower system. In a new X post, plans to bring back friend requests were officially announced, with testing beginning this week.
Xbox Insider members on the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring on consoles will be able to test the feature this week, along with those who signed up for the PC Gaming preview on both PCs and handheld devices.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of friend requests! Now, you can easily send, accept, or delete friend requests, making it simpler to connect with others,” said Microsoft. “Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility. Meanwhile, following someone remains a one-way connection, allowing you to stay updated with their shared content, whether it’s another player, club, or game.”
“Existing friends and followers will update automatically with this change. You’ll stay friends with people who had also added you as a friend previously and continue following anyone who hadn’t,” the company clarifies.
This week, Xbox Game Pass retired its Console tier, replacing it with a new Standard plan. Available for $14.99 a month, the tier grants users access to hundreds of games and online console multiplayer – however, no day-one first-party titles will be available, and cloud gaming is also not included.
The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Broadcast will be held on September 26 at 19:00 JST and will feature content from Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Bethesda Softworks, and Xbox Game Studios, as well as “an exciting lineup of games from third-party partners primarily based in Japan and across Asia.”
