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Xbox 360's 'boot to disc' option is back, Gamercards get a makeover
Back in early November, just after Microsoft dropped a new, new Xbox Dashboard on us, the console's ability to load into games at startup -- known as the "boot to disc" option" -- was disabled. Sure, crazy workarounds existed (like, say, moving the cursor to "Play Disc" and hitting the A button), but what if you only have one thumb and limited time? As promised, the functionality is returning this week. Major Nelson announced as much this morning, noting that, like before, the boot to disc option will be accessible via System Settings on your Xbox's Dash -- users will be given a prompt for said update. Additionally, this Thursday, an update will be applied to Gamercards on Xbox.com. As pictured to the left, the yellow and light grey of Gamercards past will be replaced by a new black and dark grey color scheme -- we're calling them "Gamercards at Night" -- and they'll lose their "zone information." With any luck, a smoking jacket and pipe will be added in the coming months. A Gamercard's gotta accessorize! [Thanks, Freddie]
Back compat games showing up on Gamercards
It seems that the Fall Update brought with it more than we realized. A befuddled Knuckles Dawson IMed us the other day, noting that backwards compatible Xbox games are now showing up on Xbox 360 Gamercards. We checked our own console, and sure enough, a recently played Xbox game (Ninja Gaiden) was displayed. The games do not appear on Xbox.com Gamercards, only on the 360 itself (under the Games Played tab in the Games blade). Also, only games you've played since the Fall Update will show up. In other words, our jaunt with the Halo 2 maps released earlier this year isn't recorded. The most curious bit of all is that the games are listed with the notice "0 of 0 Achievements."There are a few possibilities here. The most likely is that Microsoft thought it was a good idea for all games to show up on the list, especially given the arrival of the Xbox Originals service. Much less likely is that Microsoft is looking for some way to implement achievements in old Xbox games, which Major Nelson has stated isn't the case. No, we imagine it's there simply for convenience (or inconvenience, depending on whom you ask).
GamerCard design winners now available
The winners of MyGamerCard.net's design poll are now available and ready for use by the geek public. H2O has a "water-cooling" theme (the tube changes color depending on your online status) while Recessed incorporates a nifty status light. Better yet, there are sub-themes available for both.[Thanks YLA G]
