Xbox Addict

Xbox One update adressing social features coming soon, Twitch later

Xbox One’s upcoming major update will focus on the console’s social features, referred to as the "Live experience," Xbox chief product officer Marc Whitten told Engadget at CES 2014, hinting that streaming services may roll out to the console before E3 2014.

"The feedback we’ve gotten is pretty valid; some of the social stuff is hidden or harder to use than it was on the Xbox 360," Whitten told Engagdet. "So you’re gonna see us come out with an update where, well, we’re going to fix those things. As a person who’s been pretty involved in building Xbox Live for the last decade, I take it pretty seriously when people say it’s harder to get into a party, and the defaults aren’t right, and I don’t like the model."

Game streaming functionality may roll out to the console before the upcoming E3, according to Whitten, who said that the timeframe "is not 100 percent." It was revealed via tweet from Twitch’s official account earlier today that Xbox One’s Twitch-based streaming capabilities, referred to as Direct Broadcasting, won’t launch for "a few more months." A Microsoft representative told Polygon that the company is working to "ensure it is seamlessly implemented into our Xbox One experience over the coming months."

Going forward, Microsoft plans to roll out Xbox One updates faster but the console will still receive the larger dashboard updates. Other upcoming improvements, according to Whitten, will focus on the console’s TV features and scaling them internationally.

[Meanwhile] the Xbox One’s Twitch-based streaming capabilities, also known as Direct Broadcasting, will likely take "a few more months," according to a tweet from Twitch’s official account.

Twitch integration was announced at Microsoft’s press conference during E3 2013. The service will be exclusive to Xbox Live Gold subscribers and will allow users to upload gameplay directly to Twitch, broadcast and watch other streams.

Just before the console’s release, Microsoft announced that its goal was to deliver Twitch streaming during "the first part of 2014."

A Microsoft representative responded to Polygon with the following statement:

"We understand that the broadcasting component of Twitch is very important, and it is a major focus on our roadmap as we work to ensure it is seamlessly implemented into our Xbox One experience over the coming months."

When contacted by Polygon, a Twitch representative told us, "It’s up to Microsoft to share any details related to the timing and functionality of their Twitch integration."