The New Xbox Experience
CONFIRMED: NOVEMBER 17th
Article Notices:
This article will be updated on a bi-daily basis with all the new CONFIRMED information about the New Xbox Experience. I will not be reporting any UNCONFIRMED or RUMORED features; only the things that have been 100% confirmed by Microsoft, E3 Videos, or leaked game developer conferences. Press releases will only be trusted by valid sources, as well.
Thank you for reading my article; any suggestions can be directly Private Messaged to me if you want me to respond as soon as possible, and if you think I am missing any important confirmed information, please link me the source and it will be added here with a credit.
The actual release date of the New Xbox Experience was originally RUMORED to be September 29th, after the massive 24 hour XBL downtime. Obviousally, this was not true, and Microsoft has not yet released the OFFICIAL date. Stay tuned!
This update is mandatory and will be installed as soon as you login to Xbox Live.
NetFlix - The Most Widely Known Addition
Alright, first I'm going to get rid of the piece of horsedung that is following NXE everywhere. Mostly everyone knows by now that Netflix, the online video rental store, has teamed up with Xbox and Microsoft to allow direct streaming of any Netflix movie to your Xbox 360 console. But, only if you are a Netflix subscriber; if you already are, then huzzah! But for many people, it's just another thing to dish out money for uselessly.
LIVEParty
With LIVE Party, bring your favorite games, TV shows, movies, and pictures to life by sharing those experiences with friends, wherever they are around the world. (Quote stolen from an official press release.)
Live Party is apparently integrating with all features of the 360's interface - including exactly what the above statement said, plus more.
However, the other looming fact is that it will be functional in ALL ONLINE 360 GAMES. How this works seems impossible, as all games are not functional with a party system. Microsoft has obviously taken precautions, because they have guaranteed that E V E R Y S I N G L E online game will be supporting by LiveParty, and games that currently include party modes will be 'seamlessly engulfed and integrated, without removing any of the independent features.'
Mii-too!
For all those Wii and 360 players out there, rejoice!
Microsoft has wonderfully teamed up with legendary game developer RARE (makers of the N64 games GoldenEye, Conker, and the 360 games PD:Z, Viva Pinata, and more) to design what they call '360 Avatars'. Here is the official statement by Microsoft.
With the new Xbox 360 experience, personalize your entertainment like never before. Create your own avatar, designed exclusively by Rare, and jump into a party with friends from around the world. [imgr]http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ava.jpg[/imgr]
Marketplace Advancements
Some under-publicized and recently added features to NXE include the Xbox Live Marketplace additions. One of the main features is when you hover over a theme or gamer picture package / download in the marketplace, a translucent preview will hover over your screen (Albeit after a small waiting period, which is understandable to preview unnecessary transitions).
As well, Xbox.com's 'Marketplace' will now be functional, meaning you can buy things on Xbox.com via your computer or MOBILE DEVICE (confirmed by Microsoft, but no information given) and then it will be automatically downloaded to your console the next time you sign into Live.
Other Tidbits
Some more new features have popped up recently.
-Whenever you hover over your 'Personal 3d Avatar', your Gamertag motto will appear in a small text bubble overhead the avatar. Confirmed by Microsoft, but still unknown how it looks in action.
-All of the Xbox.com 'game information', including screenshots, videos, features, and statistics are now available under the new 'Games Library' category on your new interface, as well as in the Games category in the Marketplace.
-While in a LiveParty, your gamer picture and/or your shrunken 3d avatar will be displayed on the top right corner of your gamertag.
Shocking News! Buy your big hard drives now!
One of the most shocking pieces of information released JUST YESTERDAY by Microsoft is making many people scrambling to buy larger harddrives, especially those with the 20gb harddrives, or even none at all. Not to mention, even LARGER (1000gb hard drives, anyone?) hard drives are going on the market soon after the new experience launches. But, here is the news.
- All disc-based games can be saved to your hard drive, so you can launch it at any time from there. However, Microsoft still requires a disc, making the entire process useless; they are still unconfirmed on whether or not they might install a rights management system to prevent fraud, rather than require the disc. Seen in action here: [ame="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMAz1qIWvs"]YouTube - New Xbox Experience Game Installation Process[/ame]
Today's Conclusion!
That's all for now folks. Let me leave you with this youtube NXE preview trailer, glimpsing many of the awesome features.
[yt]http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0B5JuppEY&feature=related[/yt]