nxe
Latest
New Avatar fashions planned every two weeks for six months
An Avatar ad on the NXE states that new fashions will be added every two weeks and will be noted by a gold star. Xbox Live Product Unit Manager Jerry Johnson confirms that new accessories will be added for at least the next half a year.According to Johnson, the new fashions will be implemented in packs. We've already noticed that some clothing options have been taken away, like the "wife-beater" (no, it wasn't called that on the NXE). No word yet if these packs will cost anything, but we do know that Microsoft is considering it. What, you don't think the virtual Louis Vuitton bag or Marc Jacobs outfit (not the game designer) will be free, do you?Source - Avatar theme packs confirmed for next six months [VG247]Source - Avatar fashion selection to double in next six months [X3F] Curious about the New Xbox Experience? Check out our ridiculously informative nine-video feature, covering everything from Avatar creation, Netflix integration, and the 8-player party system to installing games to the hard drive, the new Marketplace, the Blade-like "Guide" interface, and more!
The New Xbox Experience: What do you think?
Let's make this simple. If you have an Xbox 360 and you connected to Xbox Live today, you should have the New Xbox Experience. Assuming you do, you've hopefully had some time to fiddle around with it. Now that you have the NXE, what do you think of it? Are there features you really like? Is there something else you wish had been added? Do you notice any old features you liked that have been removed?Consider this the official post to offer your praise and criticism for the new interface. Tell us what you think in the comments below. Now would also be a good time to check out Joystiq's awesome video tour of the NXE, especially if you're stuck at work waiting to try it out.
NXE Netflix activation not working for some [update]
Update: Major Nelson just sent word that the Netflix hiccups some were experiencing earlier today should now be resolved.It looks like the the bad Netflix karma has struck again as we're hearing reports that some gamers cannot get the New Xbox Experience enabled Netflix to work. According to reports, the Netflix activation code the 360 spits out isn't being accepted on Netflix.com, making the entire "watch your Netflix movies on your Xbox" thing a non-reality. We have yet to hear from Microsoft or Netflix regarding the issue that some are experiencing, so you'll just have to sit tight. In the meantime, try restarting your console after installing the Netflix add-on. Some are claiming Netflix activation success after a simple restart.[Via Joystiq, Thanks Scooter]
Microsoft quiets 'Good' Fable 2 announcement
Well, that ruins our week. "The big bods over in Redmond decided that, this week wasn't the time to tell you what that announcement is we have ready here in Guildford," laments a new post on the Fable 2 Dev Blog. If we can somehow suffer through another weekend, though, Lionhead assures us it has permission to drop the free-floating "" news on Monday, November 24th. That way the studio can't possibly steal any thunder from (or get buried in) this week's new experience.Speaking of, the Fable 2 folks have created a new NXE theme to celebrate the most-hyped dashboard update in history. Check it out in the gallery below.%Gallery-37321%
Avatar fashion selection to double in a few months [update]
Update: VG247 is reporting that Microsoft plans on releasing new fashion items every two weeks for 6 months! That's a lot of clothes.If you've started the Avatar creation process and found the clothing options in your Avatar Closet to be lacking in terms of variety, know that more apparel is headed your way in the weeks to come. We just came across an Avatar ad on the New Xbox Experience's Spotlight section (viewable above) that informs us that every two weeks new Avatar clothing will be available, which will double the current fashion selection over the next few months. And to keep everyone informed on the new goods, all new apparel will be marked with a yellow star when it's released. We should also mention that we are not sure if the the upcoming fashion choices will be free or paid content (please be free) as we've heard Microsoft express their willingness to monetize Avatars in the future. We'll just have to wait and see.
Netflix NXE activation seems to be down for some [updated]
Hey gang, we're getting a lot of reports from people not able to activate their NXE-enabled 360s with their Netflix accounts. It's especially disappointing considering that's the feature a lot of you were most excited about.We don't have any additional guidance for you, except to say that others are in the same boat, and we're hoping Netflix and Microsoft will have it all figured out soon. We've put a line out to both, we'll let you know when we hear back.[Update: The Major says everything should be working fine now.]
Join Joystiq's Avatar Look-a-Like Contest
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Joystiq_s_NXE_Avatar_Look_a_Like_Contest'; It's NXE launch day, and those of us who've been in for a while have been eagerly anticipating seeing everyone's avatars. If you bear a striking resemblance to your newly-minted doppelganger, not only do we want to see it, we want to share it with the world! So, here's what you do.1. Visit this link, but switch out "XXXXX" with your gamertag. 2. Send a pic of your avatar (not just the link) and a pic of yourself (or both in the same image) to joystiqblog aat gmail dawt com with the subject line "NXE Avatar Contest."3. Keep checking this gallery to see if you made the cut.4. Digg the post to further your stardom.We'll be putting the best look-a-likes up throughout the day. What's the prize, you ask? How about fame, how does that grab you? No? Well then, how about immortality? Yeah, we thought so.[Update: We've got more images, it's just taking the gallery below a bit to update. So go here and just start clicking through to see everything.Update 2: Hey gang. The servers seem to be slow, so please don't send us the link to your avatar but rather the actual file. And if you can put them both into one image it'd be a big help.]%Gallery-37315%
Sony blocks entire Netflix movie library from streaming to the Xbox 360 [update]
Update: Sony has released an official response, click here to learn more.In an attempt to foil Microsoft's plans of a flawless NXE Netflix launch, Columbia Pictures (a studio that's owned by Sony) has made sure that its entire Netflix movie catalog is blocked from streaming to the Xbox 360. How rude! According to Joystiq (and confirmed by MTV Multiplayer) Netflix has pulled all Columbia Pictures content from the Xbox 360 instant view library due to "licensing problems." But, wouldn't you know, all the blocked content can still be viewed online and through all other Netflix enabled TV devices except for the 360. Netflix hopes to license all the currently blocked content to the Xbox 360 in the near future. Now, that just isn't very nice of you Sony, haven't you been taught to share?
Reminder: NXE releases early this morning [update]
Update: The New Xbox Experience is now available, ENJOY!We're mere hours away from the public release of the biggest and newest Xbox 360 dashboard update, the New Xbox Experience. The dashboard update will start releasing at 5:00AM eastern (2:00AM pacific) when everyone connected to Xbox Live will be prompted to download the NXE and go through a relatively simple install process. Note that you may not receive the NXE at exactly 5AM eastern seeing that this is a "rolling update" that will take a while to make it to everyone's console. If you're still not sure what's included in the NXE, be sure to check out our comprehensive video analysis of all the NXE features and enhancements. The wait is almost over, the New Xbox Experience is almost here and Avatars, Netflix, and parties are all waiting for you. Our fingers are crossed in hopes that Microsoft's servers can handle the stress and that you, fellow fanboy, come to love the NXE. Bring on the update!
Sony Pictures celebrates NXE eve by... blocking Xbox 360 Netflix movie streaming
Just hours before the Xbox 360's newest dashboard update hits tomorrow morning (10:00 a.m. GMT), our friends at Joystiq noticed the list of movies available for Netflix Watch Instantly streaming has suddenly dropped. The culprit? Sony Pictures Home Entertainment subsidiary Columbia Pictures, flicking previously available titles like Superbad, Bad Boys, and We Own the Night over to "Not available on Xbox" status (curiously, SPHE movies are still available to all.) Word from the official Netflix blog cites "the ebb and flow" of what is available on license at any given time causing a few hundred titles to be "temporarily" unavailable on the console, while still open for streaming for other devices, with an eye towards licensing them for the Xbox 360 soon. There's no way to know what movies won't work until adding them to your queue, so when you find your Karate Kid trilogy watching time suddenly wide open for more Gears of War 2 or Left 4 Dead action, just remember you have Sony to thank.[Via Joystiq & Multiplayer]
NXE Netflix streaming loses Sony's Columbia Pictures movies [update 2]
[Original headline: "NXE Netflix streaming queues suddenly gimped"] var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Xbox_360_Netflix_streaming_loses_Sony_s_Columbia_Pictures'; Our Netflix streaming queues just got considerably shorter on the eve of the NXE launch. Acting on a tip, we popped into our Netflix account and sure enough, our "Instant Queue" had a new "Notes" column with an oft-repeated, red (nobody likes red!) notice: "Not available on Xbox." Logging onto Xbox Live (with an NXE account) confirmed that these titles were no longer available for streaming on Xbox 360.We've reached out to Microsoft for a full explanation -- so keep your fingers crossed that this is just a launch period mishap (like someone flipped the wrong switch ... or something). We're betting on licensing issues, though, which could further cripple the service. Currently, there's no way to tell if a title is excluded from Xbox streaming until it's added to the Queue (reminder: this can only be done from a separate computer). We're not much for statistics, but we can tell you that 13 of 110 items in our Instant Queue are now unavailable, all of which are feature films. The blackout seems to have hit a range of flicks, from: Superbad to Bad Boys; Drunken Master to the entire Karate Kid trilogy (that's right -- the entire trilogy! We don't count that Next Karate Kid noise). We'll update when we learn more.Update: We've found a common thread! All of the affected titles from our Queue are distributed by Columbia Pictures. Columbia Pictures, of course, is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft rival Sony. Case closed?Oddly enough, Sony Picture Entertainment movies (listed here) are still Xbox-enabled.Update 2: It appears that the sudden yoinking of Columbia Pictures films from NXE Instant Queue access is a licensing issue with Sony after all. MTV Multiplayer pinged us with word that, on the rental service's official blog, Netflix corp. communications VP Steve Swasey writes: "As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices. We're doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal. Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time. In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console. Those titles are still available to be watched on subscribers' computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they'll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly."[Thanks, Mark]
You got Avatar in my Xbox.com! [update]
Update: It looks like the online Marketplace is now viewable as well. Hey kids, remember the Xbox.com maintenance that went on earlier today? Oh, you say you were asleep. Well, it's not a big deal or anything, but we thought we would inform you that your Xbox.com profile page now displays your Avatar (assuming you have the NXE, of course). That's about it, really. As far as we can tell, the Xbox.com Marketplace still isn't open for business, so don't go thinking you can start blowing your Microsoft Points at work just yet. We expect that an any other major changes to Xbox.com will launch tomorrow alongside the NXE.[Thanks CapnJunkie]
Xbox Experience now available to all who signed up, Netflix HD streams too
Microsoft's new Xbox Experience dashboard doesn't officially launch until Wednesday the 19th. But if you signed up for the preview (and who didn't?) with a valid console ID then it's available now according to Major Nelson. What's more, Netflix has confirmed its Xbox 360 launch details: more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes and 300 streaming HD titles. Remember, streaming is free for Netflix members who are also Xbox Live Gold members. The HD video streams will be limited to SD audio, however -- multi-channel audio is in the works as are additional HD titles. Now get outta here kid, NXE awaits.[Via Joystiq]Read -- Major NelsonRead -- Netflix
New Xbox Experience now available for all who applied [update]
Protip: Click on a phrase on the image above to see the related video Update: Everyone who has signed up to try and get New Xbox Experience early can now download it. According to Major Nelson (via Twitter), "No more 'a few here and a few there' We decided to just add the whole bunch of ya'. Have fun. It may take a few hours as we go through and add everyone to the list." For those who didn't sign up (and why not?), you still have to wait another 24 to 48 hours. We're sure you can find plenty to do in the interim.
NXE given to everyone who signed up for preview
Major Nelson just sent word that EVERYONE who signed up for the New Xbox Experience preview a few weeks back will be receiving access to the NXE later tonight. That is, if you correctly filled in your console ID.We're told that the NXE will roll out within' the next few hours to every guy and gal that signed up for the preview. True, you'll only be getting NXE goodness a day early, but it's a day earlier then the masses which instantly makes you uber l33t. Now run along and go enjoy the NXE.
New Xbox Experience intro video is triptacular
Behold, fanboys, it's the New Xbox Experience introduction video that you'll be viewing on your own Xbox 360 this Wednesday when the NXE makes its official debut. The video is full of trippy and spectacular visuals (triptacular), a melting logo, some racing, intense tree climbing, a few musical things and a whirly wind of rainbow excitement. It's the NXE, it's exciting and it's an introduction video to the most newest xboxiest experience ... everest? Yeah, we'll admit, the trippy visuals have officially altered our state of mind.
Major Nelson acknowledges Xbox Live connectivity issues
As many chainsaw duelists likely already know, Xbox Live performance hasn't been exemplary over the past 24 hours. Players are reporting frequent disconnection from Microsoft's soon-to-be-updated online service, prompting the ever-watchful Xbox Live Director of Programming, Major Nelson, to issue a statement which discloses that engineers are working to "determine the root cause of this issue."We imagine the "root cause" has something to do with the bajillion people who are simultaneously trying to play Gears of War 2 -- though it could somehow be related to the upcoming launch of the New Xbox Experience. Speaking of which, we certainly hope whatever issues that are plaguing the service are hashed out by next Wednesday, as we're not certain that Microsoft took out "pitchfork-wielding rioter" insurance on their Redmond-based headquarters.
Video: Installing the New Xbox Experience
Our pal Major Nelson just posted a video detailing the New Xbox Experience installation process that everyone will be participating in next week when the NXE rolls out to the general Xbox Live public.The installation process is rather straight forward, sign into Live, download a mini-update, restart, download big NXE update, restart and enjoy the welcome video. (Protip: The NXE welcome video is visually epic.) That's it, NXE installed! All that's left is a quick Avatar creation and then you're set to enjoy all that the NXE has to offer. We're sure your fanboy enthusiasm for the NXE is boiling over ... only a few days to wait!
Check your inbox: Last wave of NXE preview invites sent
Last night, Major Nelson announced that one final wave of invites to the NXE preview program were being sent. Specifically, another 10,000 lucky gamers have been given preview access. If you signed up for the initial phase of the program and have yet to be invited, make sure to check your inbox, as Microsoft sent out the final invitations last night (don't forget to check your spam). Remember, this is the last wave of invites, so if you haven't made it now, you're not going to. But hey, don't sweat it if you still haven't been invited, as the official rollout is only five days away anyway.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in]
NXE trailer shows off Primetime [update]
Update: Apparently, as has been pointed out by numerous comments, this trailer is brain-staggeringly old (apart from the bit at the end that says the NXE is coming November 19). The editor responsible for posting this has been sacked and unceremoniously rehired.Microsoft has released a trailer for the New Xbox Experience, showing off the new interface and some of its features (all set to a zippy soundtrack, of course). For anyone that's been following the NXE though, it's mostly old hat. That is except for the brief glimpse of Primetime, the nifty live gameshow concept that was originally supposed to launch with the NXE but was then unfortunately delayed until early 2009. Other than that, the video pretty much screams, "Hey look! We have Avatars! We're approachable too!" We'll just have to wait and see if the message lands with the casual audience Microsoft hopes to woo.The NXE, incidentally, lands next Wednesday.
