Xbox Is Finally Bringing Back One Of the 360's Best Features

Xbox Series X|S owners should soon find socializing to be much easier thanks to a returning feature that hasn't been seen since the classic days of the Xbox 360. Following the shift to the Xbox One in 2013, many long-time users were disappointed that the console was ditching Friend Requests in favor of a Followers system that turned the device's multiplayer hub into something more akin to a social network. For over a decade, players have requested that Friend Requests be reintegrated and it seems that Microsoft has finally listened.

Per a post on the official Xbox blog, the company confirmed that Friend Requests are making a grand return for Alpha Skip-Ahead users on Xbox consoles, and Gaming Preview players on PC. The system will work in tandem with Followers, allowing requests to be sent and approved rather than simply following a player and hoping that they follow back. Players' current list of friends and followers will be updated automatically with the latest patch so switching over to the new interface should be straightforward.

The Xbox community has long questioned why the platform did away with Friend Requests and replaced the feature with Followers given that the former was always more efficient. In theory, Followers allow players to stay up to date with their favorite streamers and internet personalities while ensuring that those prolific accounts aren't continuously bogged down. Unfortunately, the downside is that it becomes difficult to differentiate between users as Friends are automatically added as Followers until they follow the instigator back.

It's a confusing system that never made much sense. At the time, the Xbox One was marketed as a means of uniting the community, leaning into the pitch thatthe console would function as an entertainment and media hub rather than a dedicated gaming device. The result has been much-lamented as many believe the current social system is messy and cumbersome, representing a significant downgrade from the