Change in the Number of Players on the Server

Since the Nether Update, I realized that the maximum number of players on a server went from 8 to 5, I looked in the patch note for some information about this change and I didn't find anything described. I would like to know if it's just a bug or if there will really be that reduction of players, because in the description of the game game on PSN when I bought (and currently it still is) it was that game had 8 players online.

I have a world with 7 more friends and I'm worried that we won't be able to play together anymore.

 

I'm wainting for the answer.

Thanks :3