Xbox Revives Friend Requests After Long Hiatus Since Xbox 360

Xbox has announced the long-awaited return of friend requests for the first time since the Xbox 360 era. This feature will begin rolling out to Xbox Insiders and select PC Gaming Preview users, allowing players to send, accept, or delete friend requests easily. Previously, adding someone merely made them a follower, which led to confusion and a lack of notifications. The reintroduction of friend requests aims to facilitate smoother connections among players, simplifying online interactions and enhancing the overall user experience. In addition, Xbox plans to implement new privacy and notification settings concerning friend requests. The feature aims to create a two-way relationship for friends.

Friend requests help users establish direct relationships with fellow gamers, fostering a more interactive and connected gaming community. It also allows for better tracking of friendship statuses and improves the overall experience of networking within the Xbox ecosystem.

Xbox has been a leading gaming platform for over two decades, championing online connectivity and community engagement. The original Xbox Live introduced many features that evolved over time, but the decision to remove friend requests with the Xbox One generated criticism from users yearning for the simplicity of past interactions. The resurgence of this feature showcases Xbox's commitment to listening to its community and enhancing user experience.