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Microsoft soliciting Xbox Live Update testers

Microsoft has yet to say when it will roll out the next feature-laden update for Xbox Live, but it appears as if the infusion of new content and functionality will be sooner rather than later. Today, Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb revealed through his official blog that...

Microsoft has yet to say when it will roll out the next feature-laden update for Xbox Live, but it appears as if the infusion of new content and functionality will be sooner rather than later. Today, Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb revealed through his official blog that sign-ups are now under way to get an advance look at the dashboard tweaks by way of the Xbox 360 System Update Preview program.

Xbox Live users interested in participating in the program must register through the Microsoft Connect Web site. Those who successfully complete a survey will then be added to a pool of potential testers. Hryb noted that Microsoft will be selecting several thousand applicants, and while both Gold and Silver Xbox Live members are eligible, priority will be given to paying subscribers. The publisher expects to notify approved applicants sometime next week.

As detailed last week, the next update to the Xbox 360's online dashboard will be a substantive one. Namely, the publisher plans to integrate its Games on Demand digital distribution initiative, which will allow console owners to purchase and download Xbox 360 games directly to their hard drive. Once intended as a launch feature, Netflix movie parties will also be introduced, as will the Avatar Marketplace.

27 Comments

  • Setsuka13

    Posted Jul 30, 2009 2:12 pm GMT

    Yeah my friend got lucky and was able to do this. It sounds pretty cool.

  • WizengamotX

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:50 pm GMT

    I am sad to see, from GameSpot's screen shot of the "Steam Punk" vitrual clothing line, that Microsoft intends to create the XBox 360 Live Dash Board an M. M. O. R. P. G. element--where one player plays the role ... of him self.

  • witide

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 2:58 pm GMT

    It would take me like a day to download a game, and any more than 2 games and I'd reach my monthly download cap. I don't think I'll be downloading any games...

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 2:49 pm GMT

    kennykaos317,

    "@Irve & thenephariouson: No reason to backup, as you can always redownload games from the service after you've purchased it. Play it, delete it, then redownload if you ever want to play it again.
    "

    I am well aware of this, i just think this a very inconvenient method of increasing my games library, i really dont see the problem with MS allowing DL's to be placed on external devices, given that you would need to login to 'LIVE' in order to play them as a security precaution. It simply frustrates me to think that MS expects me to purchase a vastly overpriced HDD with a pitifull 120GB storage, when i already own a number of rather large USB2 HDD's which i could simply use instead, e.g. i have a Seagate Barracude 500GB drive, which i purchased for around £50 including the caddy when a 120GB 360 drive costs £120, go figure!

    http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/factfinder/search.asp?querytext=seagate

    I fully embrace the fact that obtaining games via DL is the future of distribution, however i just think that MS need to put some serious thought into making it more viable.

  • PixelAddict

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    I'm signed up, hope I get picked.

    I already envision a few movie nights wherein me and some college buds drink beers while we heckle a movie a la Mystery Science Theater.

    The other stuff is fine, i'll never say no to more and improved content. As a member, each of us has the choice to say no to it, but this just opens up more options. If it's not your thing, there's always someone who will feel they benefit, and that's what it's all about.

    More options = More goodness.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 10:19 am GMT

    I signed up, now I just have to keep my fingers crossed

  • Irve

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 8:22 am GMT

    sorry , make that 2 hours to download the game ..
    my local game store is 10 minutes walk away !
    but i've got a removeable storage device that could house countless games... then again the transfer rate is still gonna be an issue ... So solution .. MS should give everyone the option of buying a 320gb HDD for their 360 for $70

  • hoseph1337

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 8:17 am GMT

    I just signed up, but I'm wondering something... if it crashes our system, will Microsoft repair it, even if the warranty has expired?

  • Irve

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 8:17 am GMT

    @kennykaos317
    ok lets say you get 20mbit .. that's 2.5mbytes per second a 7 gbyte game will take 50 minutes to download ... for many people that will be half their playing time wasted.

    personally i get an average of 7mbit .. so just under 1mbyte ... so 1 and a half hours just to download the game

  • linkspetdragon

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 8:00 am GMT

    Kennykaos: That is a nice feature, but when you're talking about having to redownload a full 360 game...the wait on that is a bit of a pain.

    I'm still really looking forward to these Netflix updates...couldn't care much about the rest of it.

  • kennykaos317

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 6:25 am GMT

    @Irve & thenephariouson: No reason to backup, as you can always redownload games from the service after you've purchased it. Play it, delete it, then redownload if you ever want to play it again.

    @Alpha Commando: MS is hardly "forcing" anybody to pay for anything. I personally won't be spending my money on these things. I'll stick with the free stuff and be happy with that.

  • bennae66

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:32 am GMT

    alpha commando; give me a good free service like vid zone? home? man they are terrible. on home you get the same homies that hang around shopping centres in real life, hanging out in the virtual one. virtual shops with next to no inventory, no variety. and you have vid zone that is an advertising bilboard mess. the amount of 'synching' 'updating' and all the other load screens it throws at me are rediculous. and the films arent even hd. yes i own a ps3 but i dont use that garbage. the 360 is a stellar product and far more varied than my ps3. it might not have the same 'cool factor' but the xbox team works smarter, not harder

  • bennae66

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:27 am GMT

    360 is always growing. brilliant product.

  • Melty123

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 4:43 am GMT

    Sounds good, gets better and better.

  • AlphaCommando

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 2:42 am GMT

    Avatar Marketplace? Pay to change your avatar slightly? Typical Microsoft. Forcing everyone to pay for everything. At least in PlayStation Home, if you pay for clothing etc, you can walk around, showing people your costume... while they laugh at you for being so stupid as to actually buy clothing for your avatar.

  • Irve

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 2:27 am GMT

    @thenephariouson
    i'd second that ..even if you had to leave say 200mb or so of the game exclusively on the HD the ability to back up the rest of the 6gb while your not using it .. worst of all i don't see why game trailers and demos can't be archived onto a removable HDD .. would make life so much easier for those of us with a 20gb ( 14gb) 360

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 12:53 am GMT

    Well, until they give me the option of downloading files to an alternative source, they can shove their 'on demand' games!

  • Gimmy54

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 12:38 am GMT

    I wonder what the download size would be for the full games? I''m guessing 8-9 Gigs

  • Scottins posted Jul 20, 2009 5:10 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Scottins

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 5:10 pm GMT (hide)

    I really liked the original dashboard. I wish there was a setting where you could chose which one you want...

  • Wings_008

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:43 pm GMT

    i like the current XBOX dashboard so..............

  • trw534

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:38 pm GMT

    i really want to do that.

  • brian_13un

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:29 pm GMT

    Great

  • NICKKELANIUS posted Jul 20, 2009 4:16 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    NICKKELANIUS

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:16 pm GMT (hide)

    fantastic. I cant wait. looks great. blahh blah

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:14 pm GMT

    looks great man

  • Devil_Vergil

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:11 pm GMT

    Hmm. . . .looks like this is a nice pre emptive opprotunity to see what the next step of the dashboard is

  • gggames

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 3:41 pm GMT

    I am looking foward to this one.

  • relover89 posted Jul 20, 2009 3:40 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    relover89

    Posted Jul 20, 2009 3:40 pm GMT (hide)

    I would if I got paid for it.....

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