Next month, Xbox One owners can look forward to a software update designed to enhance the console’s social and multiplayer functionality, along with a wired dedicated headset, according to a Microsoft blog post.
“Our March Xbox One system update will start rolling out in early March,” said Xbox Corporate Vice President, Marc Whitten, in a statement. “We’re excited to get these multiplayer and party improvements out in time for the March 11 launch of ‘Titanfall,’ the highly anticipated team-based online multiplayer game.”
Among the aforementioned improvements include a streamlined homescreen, which will allow users to access their Friends app from the social tile (or, if you’d prefer, “Xbox, go to friends” will do the trick, too). What’s more, Party Chat will now be always-online and a novel ‘recent players’ category is to be implemented in order to give gamers the chance to partner up with new online companions.
It’s understood that Microsoft will detail more plans regarding the update in the weeks leading up to its March release. That said, software isn’t the only focus for Microsoft next month, with the company set to introduce an all-new, first-party headset designed with the Xbox One in mind. Priced at $79.99 (£59.99), the stereo headset is built with a unidirectional microphone and is due for launch worldwide in “early March.”
The headcans can be plugged directly into the Xbox One controller for immediate use. Moreover, the package will also include the complimentary Headset Adaptor, which will give fans complete control over the device’s audio levels and a microphone mute. For those already with a dedicated headset in their possession, though, fear not: the Headset Adaptor will also be available separately for $24.99 (£19.99). This means that chat audio is enabled by connecting your existing headset to the Adaptor, while in-game audio requires hooking up the third-party headset to your Xbox One or TV.
Given the quality of the included headset, Microsoft’s premium offering will certainly improve the Xbox One experience. However, fans will be disappointed to note that compatibility for third-party headsets will incur a $24.99 charge.
