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Video: New Xbox 360 Dash leaked early
"Who cares? I already saw the new dashboard at E3," you say. Understandable, but there is something magical about someone snagging the new dashboard early and uploading a shaky-cam video to YouTube for all the world to see. Even better, we get to see a few areas of the new dash that weren't on display at E3. That means you get the thrill of looking at the settings tab! One last thing: apparently it's possible for anyone to get their hands on the update right now, though it does require a modded Xbox. We're not suggesting anyone do that, of course.[Via Engadget. Thanks, Tyler]
Xbox 360 Fall '08 Dashboard update adds 16x10 widescreen, expanded resolutions
Those eagerly awaiting extra resolution and widescreen support from their Xbox 360 are getting a treat in the packed fall update. Not mentioned during the conference, but noted in a letter to Xbox Live Members from Marc Whitten, is word about upcoming 16x10 widescreen support, as well as 1440x900 or 1680x1050 output resolutions. This should make things a bit easier for people who like to hook their console up to LCD monitors and avoid extra scaling and bars when hooked up via VGA or HDMI. Now if only we can get some HD Netflix streams...
Microsoft giving the Xbox 360 a totally new Dashboard
Microsoft just announced at E3 that they'll be giving the Xbox 360 a total software overhaul this fall. "When people turn on their Xbox 360s this fall, they'll get an entirely new interface and Dashboard, an entirely new Xbox through the magic of software," said John Schappert, head of Live services. New features will include those fancy new Mii-like 3D Avatars, a new emphasis on community with IM, video chat, and photo sharing, along with a brand new 3D slide interface for the main Dashboard screen. Avatars will be integrated into your GamerCard, but you can also create a "Live party" and invite your friends, with as many as 8 of your three dimensional homies hanging out at once -- though you're not hanging out in an actual 3D environment. You can use your avatar in certain Live Arcade games like Uno, and even in third party titles such as the upcoming Scene It? title. It sounds like Microsoft is taking cues from the Wii, Sony's Home and Facebook all in one fell swoop, not bad at all.%Gallery-27576%
Source: 'Avatars' to be Microsoft's answer to Miis and Home
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Rumor_Avatars_are_Microsoft_s_take_on_Mii_s_and_Home'; Any time one video game company attempts to capitalize on another company's good idea, there's always a bit of backlash from the fans of the company copied. We can only imagine the kind of retribution Microsoft will soon face from fans of the Wii's Miis and the PS3's Home -- if our sources are accurate, their upcoming "Avatar" service bears a striking resemblance to Sony and Nintendo's pre-existing lookalike creators."Avatars", mentioned in an independent survey for Microsoft (as taken by an X3F tipster), will supposedly be used in place of gamer pictures, and will give Xbox Live subscribers an animated, customizable online persona. The meager amount of information provided for the service claims it will be available "this holiday for all Xbox Live connected members", and "this Spring for all new console owners." This information lines up nicely with details recently relayed to Joystiq by a trusted source, who tells us that a robust "avatar" (source's term) creation service which blends the customization options of Home with the in-game functionality of Miis would comprise a substantial chunk of the 360's fall update. With the breath of E3 hot upon our nape, we're sure to hear something more concrete about this service in the coming month.
Network strain, not the update caused Live to act up
With yesterday's release of the Xbox 360 Fall Update, Xbox Live got hammered. No, not drinking hammered the kind of hammered that happens when millions of gamers clog Xbox Live's network causing all kinds of clunky things to happen. We confirmed with Major Nelson and his Xbox Live ops crew that there were Xbox Live network issues going on last night, but they've since been fixed and everything should be cleared up by now. So, know that it wasn't the Fall Update that was making your console and Xbox Live to act funny, it was simply Xbox Live getting hammered. Now go, enjoy and embrace your new Fall Update without a drunken Live dragging you down.
Xbox Originals are region locked, d'oh!
While we were busy marveling over all the fabulous additions in the Fall Update, others out there were eager to check out said features in new and exciting ways. First and foremost, the folks at Siliconera were keen to try out the Xbox Originals available to Japan. Knowing full well that gamers with Japanese accounts can download Japanese demos such as the Eternal Sonata demo released in May, they figured a similar method would work for Xbox Originals. With this in mind, they set out to download Magatama, only to discover an error message claiming the game wasn't available in their region (i.e. the U.S.). After a quick console restart, the option to download the game had disappeared, though the free content like themes and pics was still available.So there you have it kids, your dreams of downloading wacky Japanese Xbox games have been crushed (unless you live in Japan, of course).
The Xbox 360 Fall Update has landed! [update]
Doubtless everyone out there has already nabbed the Fall Update, but it is our responsibility, nay, our duty to inform you that it has arrived. We've been messing around with some of the new features and so far we're pretty pleased with what's on display. The "twist" navigation is very nice, and saves many steps in the Marketplace process. The Inside Xbox feature is pretty nifty as well, and even includes a video with Major Nelson explaining all the fabulous new features in the update. Xbox Originals are up, and we have a powerful urge to buy Psychonauts, and urge we have so far resisted. Also, we're not positive, but the actual Guide interface seems a tiny bit faster and smoother. Naturally, we haven't tooled around with everything yet. We've yet to add our Bio or change our LiveID, for example (you should think twice about changing yours, by the way ... for now at least). Overall, the changes seem fairly small, but welcome.So, now that we've all had a chance to mess around with the update, what's your favorite new feature? Have you found anything that Microsoft hasn't already mentioned?[Update: A Twitter post by Microsoft's TriXie informs us that the Inside Xbox feature is currently available only in the US, UK, and Japan. Other territories will follow in the months ahead (thanks, DjDATZ).]
Fall Update's Live ID management causes issues
We've just been informed via Gamertag Radio and Xbox.com's TriXie that the Fall Update is releasing with a minor bug related to the new Live ID switching feature. Specifically, when you download the Fall Update and change the Live ID you have associated with your gamertag, a bunch of Xbox.com issues arise. Problems including all your Xbox.com forum posts being deleted, your community user level will go bye-bye, your icons will be erased and your gamertag will be replaced with with an "anonymous" name. The Xbox 360 dashboard team is trying their darnedest to get a fix in place and should have a solution available in the next few days. Until then, DO NOT change your Live ID that is associated with your gamertag until a fix is announced. You've been warned.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Reminder: Set your Friends of Friends settings
With the release of the Fall Update a few hours away Major Nelson wanted to remind everyone about setting their Friends of Friends preferences before the update goes live. The Friends of Friends feature defaults to allowing "everyone" to see your friends list, so if you want some privacy or only want your friends to see it then you have to be proactive. To change who can view your friends list, head on over to Xbox.com and make your decision. And yes, you'll be able to change the Friends of Friends preferences via the Xbox 360 dashboard after the Fall Update releases, but we're all about being prepared and organized. So what will it be? Everyone? Friends? Blocked? The decision is yours.
Xbox 360 video playback FAQ
The Xbox dev team has posted an updated FAQ answering a smorgasbord of video playback questions. Confirming the results of Joystiq's own tests -- yep, DivX and Xvid files now play perfectly -- the guide acknowledges support for MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple and Advanced Simple Profile) videos, which will be playable once tomorrow's update has been installed. The post does note that additional functionalities (menus, subtitles, multiple audio tracks, etc.) that are sometimes contained in DivX files will not be supported by Xbox 360, and in some cases can render such files unplayable. Though, for the most part, all of your BitTorrent'd cache will play whether streamed from a computer or fed directly from a USB storage device.The Xbox Team's guide also gives pointers on how to organize your files into a hierarchy that takes advantage of 360's sorting filters and how to associate a thumbnail image with each video, in addition to a list of gamepad shortcuts: Push 'Start' to begin video playback from a bookmarked position and bypass the Resume/Restart sub-page. But it's not all just "duh" tips, the FAQ gets into the nitty-gritty of BVOPs, quarter pixel motion compensation, and even ... quantization! (Yeah, we're just gonna keep on pretendin' like we know.)[Thanks, Thomas]
Fall Update won't erase all XBLA trials from history
Sad news fellow fanboys. We know you and pretty much the entire Fanboy community was excited to hear that the Fall Update would allow for deletion of XBLA game trials from your recently played history. But, according to the tech heads over at Xbox Team's blog, this deletion feature isn't what we thought it to be. Instead, the Fall Update will get "support to not write trial-version Arcade games to user's played games history (this is only for newly downloaded games after the Dec'07 update is released)". See the key words there? The 360 will not write XBLA trials to the games history after the update gets released, but anything prior to Tuesday's update is set in stone. So, no deletion option, it's just an enhancement that will stop future XBLA trial games from appearing on the your games played list. Sad ... we thought we were finally rid of our old XBLA trials.[Thanks, xenocidic]
Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update due next week, Microsoft tells all
We've been hearing quite a bit about next week's Fall Dashboard Update for the 360, but Microsoft's finally ready to spill all of the beans. Obviously, the biggest update is the "Xbox Originals" downloadable Xbox games, but other improvements include enhanced online profiles, increased social networking, beefed up parental controls, improved menus, and our personal favorite: DivX support. As stated before, Xbox Original games, like Halo 1 and Fable, will be going for 1200 MS points (about $15), which is roughly comparable with your local game store's bargain bin. Also on the fiscal side of things, certain titles on Xbox Live Arcade are getting permanent price drops, akin to "Platinum Hits" of retail titles. As for DivX, Microsoft was a little vague when speaking with Joystiq about it, but it sounds like XviD is in play as well, which is just double fun. It's all hitting as a free download on December 4th, starting at 2AM PST.[Via Joystiq]
Video: GSB demos the Fall Update and its features
Hey kids, heads up! We just revealed what new goodies will be headed our way when the new Fall Update releases next Tuesday, but reading about it is only half as fun as seeing it in action. And that's where the Gamerscore Blog comes in. They just posted a nine minute video showing off and showcasing the impending Fall Update's features and demoing everything in an easily consumable YouTube video. Get excited, get watching and take it in all. The Fall Update has a lot to offer. Oh, and by the way. We're digging the new dashboard navigation and re-organization ... much love to that.
Dash Update deets revealed: DivX support, child account and Live ID problem fixed
This is it folks, the complete and official reveal of the new features contained in Tuesday's Fall Dashboard Update. All the things we've discussed before are in there obviously, but there are a few new and scrumptious nuggets to digest as well. Here's everything in a nutshell. Xbox Originals: download original Xbox titles directly to your Xbox 360. The first games available will be Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Halo, Fable, Fuzion Frenzy, and Psychonauts for 1200 points each. Xbox Live Arcade Greatest Hits: best selling Arcade titles will be available for permanently reduced prices. The first games available are Bankshot Billiards and Lumines Live for 800 points, and Marble Blast Ultra, Small Arms, and Zuma Deluxe for 400 points. Inside Xbox: a direct feed of news directly from Xbox.com to your 360 Enhanced online profile: share info with Live members using a new bio feature which can be made available to everyone or locked to friends only. Also, you can include your real name in your profile Friends of Friends: browse the friends lists of your friends and other Live members New Family Timer that lets parents (or wives) limit game time New navigation system for the Dashboard with the Game Store and Video Store buttons New codec support including DivX and Xvid (yes, you read that correctly) Finally, Major Nelson informs us of another new feature not mentioned in the press release: the Xbox Live child account problem has been fixed. For those unfamiliar with the problem, many Live members are stuck with a child account even though they turned 18 long ago. After the Fall Update, the account management section of the dash will have a "Promote Child Account" option. Yes, it does exactly what it says it does. Finally, as thank God effing finally!, the Fall update brings with it the ability to change the Windows Live ID associated with your Xbox Live Account. Have you been saddled with a crappy Hotmail address you don't use anymore just because your Live account is stuck to it? Not anymore. So there you have it kids, cheaper Arcade games, more networking, DivX, and some much needed problem fixes.Head over to Joystiq for some more details.Mini-update: find a comprehensive list of updates at the Xbox Team Blog.
Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update detailed: DivX, XBLA Hits, and more
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox_360/Xbox_360_Fall_Dashboard_Update_detailed_DivX_XBLA_Hits_and_more'; Things were a little different this year. For their second Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update, Microsoft decided to trickle the features out instead of dropping them on us all at once. Around Halloween, we realized things were awful quiet, so we asked you what you wanted to see in the Fall Update. On November 7, Microsoft kicked things off by announcing the Parental Timer, a feature we're certain you're all eager to try out. They followed that up on November 13 by confirming Xbox Originals, downloadable Xbox 1 games for your 360. On the 26th, they spilled the beans on the social-networky "Friends of Friends" feature, ostensibly to give paranoid folks some time to disable the functionality (which they can do here). Capping it all off a day later, MS Japan dropped some info, notably the ability to set your real name (your real name is xXsmokezmadbluntz420Xx?), your location, and a brief bio – more of that social networking stuff the kids are crazy about. Finally, after what seemed an interminable wait, Microsoft was ready to let us in on the big picture. We spoke with Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg about next Tuesday's update and what was still in store. "There are three different categories that speak to a majority of the updates," Greenberg told us.
Xbox Video Marketplace in Europe soon, limited release
A recently purchased Microsoft Points Card package (manufactured in Ireland) confirms the impending launch of Xbox Live Video Marketplace in Europe, apparently limited to the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany. The packaging also suggests that users will be able to rent "great movies" (in high-def), but does not mention the possible availability of television content.Microsoft has loosely targeted a year-end release for Video Marketplace in parts of Europe (and Canada), and with this new evidence, we should expect Tuesday's Dashboard Update to include the service in all relevant territories.[Thanks, RazorD]
Additional Fall Update details uncovered
Coming straight out of a Microsoft Japan held press conference are new details about what features will be included in the December 4th Fall Update. All the information is in Japanese (and we forgot our Japanese translator at home), but thanks to Engadget Japan's own Ittousai we've got all the goods. And yes, there's more to the Fall Update than just Xbox Originals and Friends of Friends. Click through to the break to get learnified ...
Xbox 360 Fall Update details spilled by MS Japan
Microsoft Japan recently held a small press briefing detailing some of the new features bundled into the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update. With the help of Engadget Japanese's Ittousai we've been able to pinpoint a few relevant changes that are in store for next Tuesday's update. The most significant addition is the reorganization of the "games" blade (pictured above), which now features the "Games Library" (in place of "Xbox Live Arcade"), in addition to the old "Achievements" and "Played Games" sections.When opened, the Games Library is nearly identical to the current XBLA menu, with a vertically-scrolling games list and an info box appearing for the highlighted game [Famitsu image]. New, however, is a horizontal sorting menu, broken down by filters like "All Games," "Arcade," "Demos," and "Recent Downloads." (This new horizontal and vertical organization is not unlike Sony's XMB design -- Microsoft calls it "twist" navigation, the same UI used for Zune.)Additional Fall Update features: Top level of "marketplace" has been reorganized and reduced to four categories: "Featured Content," "What's New," "Game Store," and "Video Store" (below top level, categories will be navigated by twist, just like the Games Library) "Personal Profile" added to Gamer Profile; text field allowing approx. 500-1000 characters, providing space to publish name, nationality, region, and self introduction. (Further social networking tools to accompany 'Friends of Friends' functionality) XBLA demos deleted from "Played Games" and Gamercard lists Note: This feature set is by no means complete, and we should expect to see variations in and additions to the North American update, which will be made available on Dec. 4th.Read - Game Watch (Impress)Read - Famitsu
Fall Update hits Dec. 4, brings new Friends list feature
Major Nelson just informed us that the always anticipated Fall Dashboard Update will be arriving next week on December 4 (just in time for Xbox Originals, what a co-inky-dink). Far more interesting than the revelation of the actual release date is the newly revealed Friends of Friends feature. With this new feature, players can browse the Friends list of anyone on their own Friends list. You can see if you have friends in common, send messages, send game invites, and even add Friends directly from another friend's list. Even better, the feature is available both on the Xbox 360 and Xbox.com.No doubt you've heard your friends talk about the great time they had with someone else, or perhaps you've heard podcasters like us telling tales of great gaming sessions. Removing the hassle of looking up a gamertag -- which includes the pitfalls of proper spelling and remembering where the spaces are -- is definitely welcome.So, starting December 4, you'll find a new "Friends" option on the Dashboard and Xbox.com. From this option players can choose to have their friends list open to everyone, friends only, or blocked from prying eyes entirely. We should probably note that the "Everyone" option is only available to gamers eighteen and older. Those thirteen and over are stuck with "Friends Only" or "Blocked," while those under 13-years-old will be defaulted to "Blocked" though the "Friends Only" option is available.If you'd like to change your setting now, you may do so at the Friends of Friends page on Xbox.com
MS confirms Xbox Originals, free Carcassonne Thursday
Well that didn't take long. Microsoft has issued a press release confirming reports from earlier today that original Xbox games will soon be available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace. The games -- referred to as "Xbox Originals" -- mentioned explicitly by Microsoft were Halo, Crimson Skies, Fable, and Psychonauts, though it's unclear if all of these titles will be available on the day the service launches. That day, incidentally, is not December 2 as previously reported, but rather December 4. As noted by the press release, "This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games." Classic role-playing games on the original Xbox? Really? All three of them? Anyway, the games will be available for the previously reported price of 1200 MS Points ($15). Whether or not the launch lineup that was reported earlier is accurate remains to be seen.Microsoft also added some announcements about the fifth anniversary of the launch of Xbox Live on November 15. In celebration, Microsoft will be offering a free download of the Xbox Live Arcade game Carcassonne (Hexic 2 in Korea) starting at 12:01am EST November 15. The game will be free to all subscribers for 48 hours. Also, all subscribers who have been a member of Xbox Live since 2002 will receive 500 MS Points for free.
