Key Highlights:
- Discord announces major upgrades for Xbox consoles.
- New features include viewing Discord friends’ activities and watching streams.
- Initially available for Xbox Insiders, with global rollout to follow.
Discord Levels Up on Xbox: New Features Enhance Social Gaming Experience
Xbox gamers can get ready for a more connected gaming experience thanks to a new update! Discord, the popular communication platform for gamers, has announced exciting new features for Xbox consoles.
These updates aim to make Discord feel like a natural part of your Xbox, bringing you closer to your gaming friends than ever before.
The new features, which are rolling out to Xbox Insiders first before a global release, focus on two main areas: improved visibility of Discord friends’ activities and the ability to watch Discord streams directly on your Xbox.
This news is not necessarily fresh, as we reported on this back in August of last year. Though, today with this announcement, these new features will be rolling out at some point this week.
One Place to See It All
Gone are the days of constantly switching between your Xbox and phone to keep up with your Discord friends.
The Xbox Friends list is getting a major upgrade, now including Discord friends who are gaming or chatting in Voice channels.
This new section, called “Happening now“, will appear alongside your Xbox friends in parties or games.
This update means you’ll be able to see at a glance what your Discord friends are up to, whether they’re in a voice chat or playing a game.
Even better, you’ll be able to join voice channels, watch streams, or start calls directly from your Xbox console.
It’s all about streamlining your social gaming experience and making it easier to jump into the action with your mates.
Moreover, if your friends are chatting or streaming in a Discord server’s voice channel, that channel will also show up in the “Happening Now” tab.
This means you’ll never miss out on an impromptu gaming session or interesting conversation again.
One of the most exciting additions is the ability to call your Discord friends directly from your Xbox.
No more fumbling with your phone or missing out on gaming opportunities, everything you need to connect with your Discord friends is right there on your console.
Watch Your Friends’ Gaming Moments Live
The second major feature is sure to be a hit with gamers who love to share their experiences. Soon, you’ll be able to watch your friends’ Discord streams directly on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console.
You’ll now enjoy your friends gameplay on the big screen!
How to watch your friends Discord streams directly on your Xbox Console?
To watch a stream, simply open up the conversation’s member list within the Xbox guide. If you see someone in your call who’s streaming, you can select their profile and choose “Watch Stream”.
Their gameplay will then be shown in full-screen, complete with mute and volume options for a customised viewing experience.
This feature works regardless of where your friend is streaming from, whether it’s PC, mobile, or another Xbox.
It’s a great way to learn new strategies, enjoy shared experiences, or just have a laugh at your friends gaming mishaps.
A More Integrated Gaming Experience
These new features represent a significant step forward in integrating Discord more deeply into the Xbox ecosystem.
By bringing more Discord functionality directly to the console, Microsoft and Discord are working to create a smoother, more unified gaming experience.
For Xbox gamers, this means less time juggling between devices and more time actually gaming. You can easily see what your friends are up to, join their games or chats, and even watch their streams, all without leaving your Xbox dashboard.
It’s all about making your gaming sessions more social and more seamless.
While these features are currently rolling out to Xbox Insiders, a global release is planned for the coming weeks.
This gradual rollout allows for testing and refinement before the features reach the wider community.
For those eager to try out these new features early, joining the Xbox Insider programme is an option.
You can do this by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub app on your console or Windows PC. It’s a great way to get a sneak peek at upcoming Xbox features and provide feedback to help shape the future of gaming on the Microsoft console.
As Discord continues to evolve and expand its console presence, it’s clear that the lines between different gaming platforms are becoming increasingly blurred.
This huge integration represents a significant step towards a more connected gaming world, where players can easily communicate and share experiences regardless of the platform they’re using.
There’s no doubt these new Discord features promise to make gaming nights more social, more convenient, and ultimately more fun.
Whether you’re coordinating strategies for your next big raid, catching up with friends while gaming, or simply enjoying watching your mate’s epic (or not so epic) gameplay moments, Discord on Xbox is set to become an even more integral part of your gaming life.
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.