After more than a decade, Xbox is finally bringing back friend requests, a feature that has been highly requested by the gaming community.
First introduced during the Xbox 360, friend requests were phased out with the launch of the Xbox One, leading to the current “follower” system.
However, after years of feedback from users, Xbox has decided to reintroduce the feature, marking a significant shift in how players will connect online.
Starting this week, Xbox Insiders as well as PC Gaming preview participants will have access to the revived friend request feature.
This change allows users to send, accept, or delete friend requests easily, and establish a two-way, invite-approved relationship.
This can be helpful for players who enjoy multiplayer games like Sea of Thieves or Call of Duty, where building a solid group of friends is crucial for team coordination and long-term gaming experiences.
Why Was the Follower System Unpopular?
When Xbox launched the One console, they replaced traditional friend requests with a follower-based model, similar to social media platforms like Twitter.
This allowed players to follow their favorite streamers or content creators without waiting for approval. However, it also led to confusion and frustration among regular players. As it stands, adding someone to your list makes them a follower, but they only become a friend if they add you back.
Many gamers found it difficult to keep track of who was following them and whether they had any mutual connections. Notifications were inconsistent, and unless you were online at the exact moment someone added you, you often wouldn’t know.
For both casual and competitive gamers, maintaining a friends list is unnecessarily complicated.
How Will This Change Improve Xbox Friendships?
The reintroduction of friend requests simplifies the entire process. Users will be able to go to the People tab and send requests to anyone not already on their friend list. Existing friends and followers will update automatically under the new system, meaning you won’t need to worry about losing connections.
Additionally, Xbox has announced plans to introduce new privacy and notification settings to better manage friend requests. This will help players control who can send requests and ensure they don’t miss important connections.
Currently, Xbox has not yet confirmed the exact date when the new system will be available to all users, but they have indicated a gradual rollout later this year.
Image Credit: Xbox
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