Xbox Live Gets Chummier

via IGN


After the Xbox Live fall Dashboard update goes live next month, your friends list will be visible to other users, Microsoft announced today.

The new Friends of Friends feature will automatically be active for most users once the update hits on Dec. 4. Here are the three available settings:

• Everyone (only available to members 18 and older)
• Friends only (available to members 13 and older)
• Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)

The default setting will be Everyone for gamers 13 or older, but you can log in to the Xbox web site in advance to change your preferences before Dec. 4. Microsoft hasn't announced any additional features planned for the fall update, but Xbox Live's Major Nelson confirmed that more are on the way.

Last week, Microsoft announced its Xbox Originals download program, which will also go live as part of the Dec. 4 update.