Microsoft has released new details regarding the Xbox One’s online features including a video explaining the new Xbox friend app.
In the video Xbox Live’s Major Nelson talks us through the changes, including how each profile will have direct friends, followers and favourites, all of which will be presented in columns akin to the current social media norms we are all comfortable and familiar with.
The ability to follow users without necessarily needing a reciprocated friendship is an interesting addition; the example given allows you to track professional gamer’s activity. This seems like a smart move by Microsoft, perhaps made in an attempt to convince gamers that Xbox One’s sharing features are capable of competing with existing outlets such as Youtube or Raptr.
These changes to how friends are handled ties in nicely with today’s second nugget of Xbox goodness, which is talk of Achievements, or more precisely, Community Achievements and timed challenges.
“Imagine, for example, a game releases a weekend objective that requires players to cumulatively secure an objective “X” number of times in a three day period. And every person who participates and helps build towards the challenge’s goals unlocks that Achievement and earns its reward.”
Microsoft have also discussed the console’s online multiplayer component and how the new Smart Match system will help to ensure gamers heading online are always matched with their perfect partner, based on skill levels, language and for the first time, Xbox Live reputation standings.
It has also been revealed that Xbox One can be programmed to automatically record exciting moments of gameplay.
“It won’t be automatic for every Achievement,” explained Albert Penello, Microsoft’s director of product planning. “It’s a feature that Developers can unlock for achievements, OR, for instance, have hidden in the game for doing something cool or discovering something hidden. Basically we allow developers access to GameDVR and they can put conditions on an automatic recording.”
three_leg_jake
“will help to ensure gamers heading online are always matched with their perfect partner, based on skill levels, language and for the first time, Xbox Live reputation standings.”
I call one month after XBOX One releaseuntil people have worked out how to matched against much weaker opponents.
Bilbo_bobbins
Absolutely. Sounds good, but I guess we will only know once it’s out, and by then it’s normally too late if you bought a console for FPS and all that.
Amphlett
That friends app looks like they lifted most of its functionality from Twitter/FB with following etc. I almost fell asleep watching it.
jimmy-google
“Community Achievements” – basically more online Achievements. Never hear people calling for more of them, only ever less.
cnutard
These seems like every completionists nightmare. On holiday that weekend? Sorry, you can’t have this achievement.
The prospect of this does not excite me at all.
Starman
I like the follow idea and the improved matchmaking is welcomed, but those green/grey panels do look fucking bland! Hopefully there’s some customization options to liven it up.
gazzagb
Being matched against similar skill level is good, but I’d like to know more and how they do it.
E.g is it based on your K/D ratio? Or maybe your K/D based over the past week to allow people to improve and be matched accordingly.
alisound
anyone else see that someone was playing GTA V on their Xbox one?
http://s14.postimg.org/n4zy1s3i9/Screen_Shot_2013_10_14_at_17_30_44.png
Wardy-77-
Later on in the video it says playing gtav on 360 so it’s more than likely just that.
alisound
aaah must have missed that bit. aah well.
DJ Judas
Allow me to choose an average range for mic dB transmission for matchmaking, and I’ll buy an XOne.
Bonus points for voice recognition omitting people who use the word “faggot”.
Amphlett
“Bonus points for voice recognition omitting people who use the word “faggot”.” – Ha ha, it would hardly be fair to omit all American teens now, would it?
DJ Judas
I think the grey boxes = 360 player.
DJ Judas
Sorry, this was meant in reply to alisound.
alisound
ok, but what about Skeezy Peezy?
boeboe
I hate this.