14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at Microsoft working on the Xbox One home console says that it has plans to add support for external hard drive storage for the device in a future firmware update, alongside a host of other improvements based on feedback coming from the user community.
On the Xbox Wire, Mark Whitten, the leader of the update team, explains that “We know external hard drive storage is another big one on your list. It’s on our list too. We’re working on that for a future update and will keep you posted. We’re also working on friends notification improvements and experimenting with how to make that better.”
The most recent firmware update for the Xbox One is designed to focus on the matchmaking for multiplayer games and on the way the friend and party system works.
All the changes introduced by Microsoft are linked to the coming Titanfall shooter, created by developer Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts.
The company hopes that, by making the console easier to use, the exclusive release will allow it to increase sales and bridge the gap that seems to be opening up to the rival PlayStation 4 from Sony.
Whitten adds, “Just as we do with Xbox 360, we’ll be continuing regular updates to Xbox One – some will be big, like this March update, and some will be smaller. Big or small, we’re committed to delivering continuous innovation through system updates like this one. Thanks for your feedback.”
At the moment, Microsoft is not saying exactly when it plans to launch a new firmware update.
The first two of them were delivered less than one month apart, but it’s probable that the company will slow down the pace in order to have the time required to implement more meaningful changes.
The preview system that was first used earlier in the year will continue to exist, which means that a small number of Xbox One users will be able to get the firmware soon in order to see how it works and offer crucial feedback on its features.
The Xbox One is still set to be launched in a variety of territories, and Microsoft has suggested that it has plans to deliver it before the end of the year.
Titanfall will be out on the PC and the Microsoft next-gen console on March 11 in the US and on March 13 in the EU, while those willing to play on the Xbox 360 will have to wait another two weeks.