Microsoft has introduced a major update to the Xbox One system before the release of the multiplayer game Titanfall, which will be released on March 11.
The objective of the update is to prepare the console for the release of the online game, according to CNET. The update provides new features and takes care of issues in the Xbox One's party and multiplayer features.
Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb promised at the end of last year that major problems with the Xbox Live would be solved, ExtremeTech reported. The party system has improved greatly, making it easier for players to invite their friends to play multiplayer games and interact with other players online.
A Microsoft blog post on Tuesday said the update includes improvements made to party chat, matchmaking and friend features, according to CNET. Chat audio is turned on by default when a player gets involved with parties, which allows players to talk with other players even when they aren't playing the same game. The player's friends list is now located at the center of the Friends app's homepage.
Hryb and Xbox engineer Richard Irving discussed additional changes, such as how it is easier for players to invite friends into a game, ExtremeTech reported. "Invite party to game" is a feature shown in the Xbox One's party UI, and it is now possible to invite any other player directly into the game the first player is currently involved in.
Changes were also made to Xbox One's friends list, according to ExtremeTech. Players can access their friends lists and see who's online with voice command or by pressing three buttons. The "Favorites" section makes it easier to find the player's friends list, as a select group of friends are moved to the top of the list. It is also easier to find the "Find someone" search function, and the "Recent players" is shown at the top layer of the friends list UI.
Titanfall is set to launch on Windows and Xbox One on March 11, and is arguably the most anticipated game to be released since the release of the Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles in late 2013, CNET reported. The game is expected to be released for Xbox 360 on March 25.
