There’s no doubt about it, Titanfall is the Xbox One’s most important game launch to date. I’d go as far as to say that, other than the launch of the consoles themselves, the launch of Titanfall is the most important game launch this generation of consoles.

Heralding the arrival of this next big thing, Microsoft are making some improvements to the Xbox One experience and you need to be prepared. You don’t want to be messing about setting stuff up in the early hours when you should be piloting huge mechs.

So here’s what you need to know.

First up, there’s Twitch.

In the recent March Xbox One update – that you should have already downloaded – Twitch broadcast capabilities were added to the machine. Now, you have switched your Xbox One on and connected to Xbox Live recently, haven’t you?

If not, do it NOW.

You can’t actually broadcast right now because the Twitch app won’t be updated until 11 March, but you can still sign up for an account and get your house in order.

1. First on your computer go to www.twitch.tv and sign up for a free Twitch account. Once signed in on the Twitch website select Settings from the drop-down menu that appears when you hover over your username at the top, go to Channel & Videos and select Archive Broadcasts. This enables your broadcasts to be saved and viewed later. It’s something that has yet to be implemented on the PS4.
2. On your Xbox One, make sure that you are signed in to Xbox Live and download the Twitch app.
3. As I said, the current version of the twitch app app won’t allow you to broadcast, but come 11 March you will be able to customize your picture-in-picture to broadcast both your gameplay and yourself through Kinect.
4. In your Profile, make sure your presence is set to “online”
5. In the Settings app under “Privacy and Online Safety,” make sure the option to “See if you’re online” is set to “Everyone” and “Broadcast gameplay” is set to “Allow.” Make sure the option to “Share content made using Kinect” is set to “Allow.”
6. Also In the Settings app under “Preference,” check “Allow broadcasts and Game DVR Uploads”
7. In the Settings app under “Kinect,” check “Kinect on” and to include Kinect audio in your broadcast check “Use Kinect microphone for chat.”

That’s all there is to it. Any time you want to broadcast your Xbox One game you just say “Xbox broadcast”. Simple as that. Don’t forget you can use use the Xbox One SmartGlass app on your mobile device whilst you broadcast for chat and to view messages.

For more information check out the Xbox Wire post here. Or check out what Twitch has to say on the matter here.

The other big change coming our way in time for Titanfall is the implementation of the Xbox One wireless headset. In order to enjoy gaming with a headset, without trailing wires across the lounge floor you are first going to need to update your Xbox One controller.

Before you do anything make sure your Xbox One is on and you’re signed in and connected to Xbox LIVE. The reason for this is as I mentioned in the Twich setup, your console needs that all-important March update, which also contains the newest controller software. If you’ve been connected recently, your Xbox One should already up to date, but connect anyway just to be sure. If your console needs the update, you’ll be prompted to install it.

1. Open the battery compartment on the back of the controller and remove the batteries.
2. Plug the stereo Headset Adapter into the bottom of your controller.
3. Plug in a headset (a headset is required to be plugged in so the adapter will turn on).
4. Plug the big end of the included USB cable into the port on the side of the console.
5. Plug the small end of the USB cable into the top of the controller.
6. Instructions to install the update should automatically be displayed. Follow the instructions, and don’t disconnect the USB cable while the update is in progress.
7. When the update is complete, unplug the USB cable and put the batteries back into your controller.
8. Press the Xbox button on the Wireless Controller to turn it on. Your controller is now up-to-date, and you’re ready to use your Xbox One Stereo Headset Adaptor. You only need to update your controller one time, but if you plan to use the Stereo Headset Adapter with other Xbox One Controllers, you’ll need to do this process for each controller.

For full details check out Microsoft Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter support page, here.

If you follow the tips above, when you get home – bleary-eyed from your local Titanfall midnight launch, you can get straight into the fragging and broadcasting your greatness whilst talking away on your swanky new wireless headset.

Titanfall is out for Xbox One and Windows PC on 13th March in Australia and 14th March in New Zealand.