Xbox One Holiday Update Arrives To Socialize Your Gaming Experience Across Multiple Platforms

The Xbox One Holiday Update is aimed at making the console experience even more “social” in an attempt to “unite gamers across devices, giving you access to more people to play with that share your interests and more choice in how you play.” The Holiday Update also extends to nearly every platform imaginable via the Xbox app, which can be downloaded for the PC, Windows 10 Mobile, Android and iOS.

Headlining the new features is Clubs, which are groups that are created and monitored by gamers. Creating and joining Clubs is an easy process, and you’ll be able to share content and create parties with other members. Creating and communicating with others (using voice or text chat) via Clubs can be accomplished on any platform using the Xbox app.

The Looking for Group (LFG) tool allows you to actively seek out gamers to play with. Microsoft likens it to a want-ad; perhaps “Desperately Seeking Gamer” is in order? “You’ll be able to add certain requirements to make sure that you’re finding the right gamers,” writes Scott Henson, Xbox Partner Group Program Manager. “You can specify the game, the game mode, the language the party will be speaking, how many people you need, rules like no trash talking or casual friendly, and any other in-game requirements like level, gear or character type.”

Other features that have been added into the mix include Achievement Rarity, which allows you to see what elite company you’re in with regards to a particular achievement and the inclusion of Group Messaging across all Xbox One and Xbox app platforms. You’ll also find an improved Gamerscore Leaderboard and emojis that are now available for your Xbox One virtual keyboard.

The Holiday Update is rolling out today to the Xbox One and the Xbox app.