Major Nelson has a letter from XBL GM Marc Whitten expounding upon some of the features of the new Xbox Experience coming this fall.
Quote:
· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.
· Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.
· Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it’s not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.
· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
· Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends. Games will support everything you’d expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show. Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions. Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen.
· Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars. You can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the community. Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games.
· New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.
Whitten also says that there will be more elements to the update which will be announced in the coming months.
WOW -- that play from HD option (emphasis on OPTION before some jackass comes along and tries to rag on people for complaining about PS3 installs) is just a great thing.
I know my GF is definitely going to appreciate it for those times when I'm still playing and she's trying to sleep.
I'd be a lot more excited about the playing from hard-drive feature if they didn't make us buy Microsoft HDDs that cost way too much for far too little space. For $100, I want a 500 GB HDD.
· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
Quote:
· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.
I like this. I like it a lot. Now I'm tempted to buy that overpriced 120Gig HDD.
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If nothing is impossible, then wouldn't finding something impossible be impossible?
I'd be a lot more excited about the playing from hard-drive feature if they didn't make us buy Microsoft HDDs that cost way too much for far too little space. For $100, I want a 500 GB HDD.
Do they even make notebook sized HD's that are 500 gigs?
