Marketplace and Microtransactions
Matchmaking and community-building features are just two areas that Microsoft has focused on improving for Xbox Live for the Xbox 360. Another interesting addition is what the company is calling the Marketplace. As in the current version of Xbox Live, you'll be able to download new content, such as extra levels, from the Marketplace. Microsoft also envisions the Marketplace as being a source of other smaller bits of content, such as special clothing for player characters or decals and parts for cars to be used in-game. These bits of content could be sold on the cheap, for as little as a few cents. What's more exciting is the possibility that players themselves might be able to design, distribute, and even sell such content themselves.
But who's going to want to pull out a credit card to buy either a 25-cent skin for an Xbox 360 interface or a 10-cent T-shirt for a Tony Hawk character? Microsoft thought of that, too. Unlike the current iteration of Xbox Live, where all transactions require a credit card, the new version of XBL will let you store money, or value, in an account that you can use for purchases. So if you have your credit card handy, you can dump $20 into it once with your credit card, and then you can make a week or more than a week's worth of microtransactions thereafter, snapping up clothes for your sim or snatching new tracks to race on. If you don't have a credit card, you'll be able to buy a card (with cash) from a traditional brick-and-mortar store that you can bring home to recharge for use with your Marketplace account.
Music, Movies, and Demos
The Marketplace won't just be restricted to added levels and other bits of small content, though. Microsoft imagines you'll be able to download music and videos, such as game trailers, onto your Xbox 360 through Xbox Live. Even fully playable demos are not out of the question, which opens up a number of interesting possibilities. Since this content may or may not be free, publishers may consider funding small demos of some games for distribution solely over the Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft's J Allard likened this to the way television studios fund and release pilot episodes for shows that are considered edgy or risky just to see if they catch the public eye. Let's say a developer approaches a publisher with a quirky idea for a game the publisher thinks has potential. But the game is too risky to gamble millions of dollars on for a full, traditional development and publishing cycle. With the ability to release a small pilot demo over the Xbox Live marketplace, the publisher can test the waters by using less money, and if the proof of concept ends up popular, then the publisher can begin producing the full-fledged game (or even just release episodic content) with greater assurance. Obviously, it remains to be seen if any publisher will actually go this route, but the technology in the new version of Xbox Live will make it a possibility.
And You Thought Your Cell Phone Was A Leash
The newest iteration of Xbox Live for the Xbox 360 will include enhanced communication options, like "ubiquitous" voice chat. What this means in plain English is that you no longer have to be in the same game session or even in the same game to be able to voice-chat with a friend. You'll be able to send and receive messages and voice chat requests no matter what you're doing on the Xbox. Conceivably, one person could be playing a game while the other could be watching a movie, and both could still chat with each other. Even if you're logged into a four-player split-screen match on one Xbox 360, the system is intelligent enough to send a message request to the correct person on that box (it will illuminate the ring of light on the recipient's controller) so the other three people can continue to play while the social butterfly attends to his messages. Of course, it could get annoying to be constantly receiving pop-up message requests while you're doing stuff. So, like any instant messenger client on a PC, you'll be able to set a "do not disturb" status so that nothing interrupts you in the middle of a Madden game.
Two Levels: Silver and Gold
Two levels of Xbox Live service have been specified for Xbox 360. The silver level is free and actually includes almost all available features. You'll be able to create your gamer profile, browse the profiles of others, add to your gamer score by playing games, buy stuff on the marketplace, engage in voice chat with a friend, and even play massively multiplayer games (assuming you've paid the fees for that game). You just can't play the regular multiplayer games on the silver level. Ponying up the money for the gold level of service lets you play online, and it gives you access to video chat (with the Xbox 360 video camera), special tournaments, and other premium content and activities.
Xbox 360: Inside and Out
Xbox 360 Inside and Out: This special feature analyzes Microsoft's newest console, including discussions on hardware, games, and the upgrades to Xbox Live.
