14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has confirmed that it's currently rolling out the new Xbox One March system software update and that it will be downloaded automatically by the console in the following days, bringing a huge amount of major changes to the online experience.
The Xbox One is set to receive its first major post-launch game next week in the form of Titanfall, which will deliver a multiplayer-only first-person shooter that should certainly bring people to the new console.
In anticipation of this, Microsoft has now released a fresh firmware update for the Xbox One in order to improve certain features, while laying the groundwork for upcoming systems like the Twitch live streaming one.
The new update, according to the Xbox Wire, is rolling out as we speak and will be automatically downloaded by consoles in the following days, provided you have selected the Instant On power state in the settings.
The new firmware brings quite a few different improvements to the whole Xbox One experience, from better matchmaking across all games, to a refined party chat system that works over all games, and much more.
The upcoming Twitch integration also receives the required infrastructure through this new system software update, although it will be available to players starting next week, when the new and improved Twitch application is released onto the Xbox Live online service.
You can check out a few key improvements brought forth by the new Xbox One firmware below.
- Get to your friends list faster. The friends list is now front and center on the homepage of the Friends app. Click the Social tile on Home, or say “Xbox, go to Friends” to see who’s online and what they’re up to. From there you can quickly send messages and get into a party. - Party chat on by default. When you party up, chat audio is turned on by default. - Chat with friends playing different games. Party chat is now separated from people playing your game, so you can chat with your friends who are online or you can chat with everyone playing the game. - “Invite friends to game” option available in your multiplayer titles. Similar to Xbox 360 titles, when you’re inside a game's menu you have a simpler and quicker way to set up your multiplayer battles. Selecting “Invite friends” lets you invite friends to your game and party. - See a list of “Recent Players.” This is a simple list that shows you Xbox Live members you’ve recently played with, making it easier to stay in touch with people, add new friends after your multiplayer sessions, or report a player for bad behavior. - Twitch live streaming support. The best broadcasting and spectating experience on any game console is on its way to Xbox One with the new Twitch app launching on March 11, just say “Xbox broadcast” to start sharing. Xbox One is the only next-gen console that allows you to archive your Twitch broadcasts and view live Twitch streams regardless of their original source. - Dolby Digital sound. Optical out now supports 5.1 Dolby Digital, enabling devices such as sound bars and headsets with only optical in to be able to receive 5.1 Dolby Digital from Xbox One over optical. We’re also adding support for Dolby Digital surround sound over HDMI. Now you’ll be able to have the best sound quality no matter what speaker setup you are using. - We will now support 50Hz output to Xbox One. You can set the live TV app to display at 50Hz for full or fill modes, fixing the frame rate issues some users in Europe have been experiencing while watching live TV on Xbox One.
The new update is rolling out as we speak, but it might take a while before it becomes available in all the regions the Xbox One is available for purchase.
Until then, check out a video of all the new features above.