Microsoft will fix Xbox One party chat before Titanfall launch

Microsoft has said it will release two firmware updates for the Xbox One in advance of Titanfall, promising to improve the system's features--including, crucially, party chat--in time for the launch of the anticipated multiplayer shooter.

The two updates are scheduled to arrive on February 11 and March 4.

With the February 11 update, users will finally be able to manage their hard drive space, alongside managing download queues and install order.

The February 11 update will also bring back an onscreen battery power indicator for controllers, and support for USB keyboards.

The March 4 update, meanwhile, will feature a new party and multiplayer system for the Xbox One, with Microsoft specifically saying that the update will optimize the Xbox One for the launch of Titanfall on March 11.

Xbox chief product officer Marc Whitten says that these will be the "first of many announcements and sneak peeks at features in the system updates."

Many users have criticised the system UI of the Xbox One following the console's launch in November 2013, and Microsoft specifically pledged to improve the party system back in December. A group of canny fans originally launched a site called Xbox Feedback (now known as Player Feedback, which also includes similar sections for PS4 and Wii U) to collate areas that could be improved, with Microsoft saying that this information has been passed to the appropriate parties.

"We’ve been carefully listening to your feedback and look forward to delivering many new features that will make Xbox One even better. We’re just getting started and can’t wait to share more information in the coming weeks," Whitten added.