Xbox 360 fall update arriving in November?

  • By TomM_GScom, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 25, 2008 3:02 pm PT

Source: See below. What we heard: From Fable II to Gears of War 2, Microsoft Game Studios has a number of highly anticipated releases headed to the Xbox 360 in the coming months. While the software division has been busy, the hardware team has had its hands equally full with the Xbox Live...

Source: See below.

What we heard: From Fable II to Gears of War 2, Microsoft Game Studios has a number of highly anticipated releases headed to the Xbox 360 in the coming months. While the software division has been busy, the hardware team has had its hands equally full with the Xbox Live dashboard overhaul. A hot topic during this year's E3 2008, the latest firmware upgrade to Microsoft's system adds a number of features, including avatars, Netflix integration, and the ability to install games to the console's hard drive, to name a few.

Not to belie the obvious, Microsoft has thus far only said that the dashboard overhaul will be rolled out this fall. However, confirmation of a more narrowed release window appeared to arrive earlier today. After attending a Microsoft London event last week demoing the new update, a representative of the publisher reportedly told UK gaming blog RPG-TV that the dashboard revamp would be pushed live in November.

"I'm not sure if this has been confirmed already or not but I was told the new dashboard would arrive in November," said the gaming blog. RPG-TV also noted that the much touted downloadable content for the Xbox 360 edition of Grand Theft Auto IV would also arrive in November. There, the information sat quite innocuous for the remainder of the week, seemingly destined to be lost in the Internet's murky depths. That is, until a variety of gaming Web sites and blogs went deep-sea diving earlier today, hauling the revelation to the fore.

The official story: Unfortunately, it appears as if RPG-TV's information was either erroneous or off the record. After contacting the publisher to confirm the validity of the information, a Microsoft representative told GameSpot, "We have not yet announced the timing of the fall update."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that the fall Xbox Live dashboard update is a lock for November. However, given that the hardware maker's last two fall updates arrived at the end of October and the beginning of December, a November launch is certainly possible.

248 Comments

  • Henry_G

    Posted Dec 18, 2008 1:52 am PT

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  • GaryHoward

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 3:55 am PT

    They r just copying the Wii, avatars and stuff, i prefer the dashboard and blades, they r alright and thats one thing, with this new update, can u still use themes and gamerpics, it would be a kick in the balls, if u cant use them after that, etc

  • wiiplayer23

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 10:35 pm PT

    is anybody POSITIVE that this is either optional or that you can maybe download it then switch back to the blades because i cant find anywhere that says it.

    i hate the idea of having avatars on the 360 and the screen things is too childish kind of.overall i think its a dumb update

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:13 pm PT

    is it updating today? w/ XBL offline for today, i wonder what they are doing...

  • fuego01

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 8:48 am PT

    now, if only they would integrate a web browser into XBL... then it would be perfect...

  • RockEvo

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 5:50 pm PT

    i think its gonna be cool but the current setup looks way better than the new ones in the pictures.

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 5:13 pm PT

    I think that the new dashboard is going to be an intresting twist to things. I like the Netflix thing though, a lot.

  • mikemetroid5565

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 2:25 pm PT

    Seems like sales will drop...

    Cause a friend is going to let me borrow is halo 3 and Cod 4

  • Mbrans25den

    Posted Sep 23, 2008 7:48 pm PT

    Actually this update may come out earlier than expected. Id you've been online lately you might see a notification on the Xbox dashboard that says that on September 29th xbox live will be closed for 24 hours for an update it also says "Stay tuned for details"

  • Dubzie1986

    Posted Sep 23, 2008 5:33 am PT

    @ blankminded34

    The reason the disc will still need to be inserted in the drive is to combat against copyright. Just think, your friend could come and install his brand new game onto your 360's hard drive, then go home with the game yet you would still be able to play it from your hard drive. In the process Microsoft lose a sale and their money. The reason the disc needs to stay in the drive is so that your 360 can verify that you actually own the game. PC gamers have this same problem although it is possible to get "No-CD" cracks, thus allowing them to play with no disc.

    The whole point of being able to install the game on your 360 is to hopefully cut down on load times, wear and tear on your disc drive and hopefully reduce noise levels from the cd drive, which i think is a huge bonus all round. Unfortunately i only have the 20gb drive which is pretty full up, so im probably not going to see too many benefits, but all in all, if you own the game and have enough room to install it, then i say its well worth doing.

  • seanmcgee87

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 7:51 pm PT

    i am personally jsut excited for the netflix stuff

  • blankminded34

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 6:46 pm PT

    illegibly there will be a feature to install the game to the HDD so you don't spin the disc, but the disc will still be required to play. what would be the point of that. if i were to do that i would want the option to not use discs at all. end rant

  • goten99100

    Posted Sep 21, 2008 3:48 am PT

    Come on Microsoft make it the first week of October

  • red192837465

    Posted Sep 18, 2008 3:46 pm PT

    Hmmm... sounds cool but they can't wreck the feel of Xbox too much.. it is already awsome

  • LordGeorgeton

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 1:11 pm PT

    please. September.

  • Chaz1894

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 1:36 pm PT

    I cant wait for the new look and everything its gonna be so great.

  • vadicta

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 6:02 pm PT

    that party things gonaaa be sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet

  • nicknees93

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 2:24 pm PT

    that eight person chat will be the best thing microsoft has ever done. lol. not really but it will be great.

  • FFbest

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 1:50 pm PT

    eh, could be good, could be bad.

  • systemplayer

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 12:24 am PT

    Myself I like the concept of all the new stuff but I like the way the 360 dashboard is now. This new to me seems like their trying to do what the PS3 is doing almost. I don't think I'll like the new look because it looks a little childish but, if I'll be glad if I can still use the original dashboard.

  • IZZO71

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:54 pm PT

    Yes, I am sick of having to talk to 3 friends in 3 different private chats. Also i will be getting a net flicks account. I will probably fool around with the avatar to see if i like it. Hope they dont change the sliding out menu too much since i am used to it.

  • Stoneys_Rock

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    Oh the days of 1 to 1 chat will be finally over! can't wait for this update.

  • mm5048

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 12:04 pm PT

    for all of you worried about themes and not keeping them, in the E3 vid the guy had a gears 2 theme didn't he, so dont worry

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Sep 5, 2008 12:01 pm PT

    Even though you can copy the ENTIRE game to your HDD, you will still require the original disk as it will contain the BOOT data. Now i can fill my 300Gb HDD : ) Am also looking forward to the 'Group Chat' not to mention NetFlix. Cant wait!!

  • Thomas__Kenobi

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 12:00 pm PT

    Would it then be possible to rent a game for say 2 nights, save it onto the hard drive and then give the game back?
    And is there any news to how much space it would take up?

  • leafdj

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 5:47 pm PT

    Ugh, Finally.
    I can't wait for the ability to download a game's contents, now maybe I can fill up that 120GB HDD.

  • george999819

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    I can't wait for the 20 hours of GTA IV episodic content coming exclusively to the 360. It's gonna be epic.

  • datniccah187

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:48 pm PT

    The sooner the better for the update.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:45 pm PT

    clueless360 Posted Sep 1, 2008 10:48 pm ET coneman1 the blades will also be available but the rest like the avatars and stuff will be mandatory
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    I almost wonder about that,about avatars being mandatory.Sure everyone may have a default avatar no matter what, But With all the privacy options and whatnot MS gives you. Being able to block or unblock peoples bio's, friends lists and all the other stuff I'm almost sure there will be a option that will allow you to block seeing the avatars alltogether if you don't want to see em.

    But I guess we'll see....

  • Ton77

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:05 pm PT

    i just think its cool we can access The Marketplace In-GAME.

  • desmondw14 posted Sep 3, 2008 1:27 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    desmondw14

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 1:27 pm PT (hide)

    Forget XBOX it PS3 all the way

  • grf7291

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    don't sell ur 360 just b/c this update is comin out!! try it out and if you don't like it u can still use the blades...this update looks like its gonna rock!

  • john-cena112

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 11:26 am PT

    Have to try the update out. Can't tell without even trying it , Who knows maybe it will be cool.

  • marvelx3

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 7:02 am PT

    i cant wait for the new look.

  • clueless360

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 7:48 pm PT

    coneman1 the blades will also be available but the rest like the avatars and stuff will be mandatory

  • coneman1

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 5:10 pm PT

    I sure hope this is all optional, I like the current setup with the blades!

  • celidus posted Sep 1, 2008 7:01 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    celidus

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 7:01 am PT (hide)

    Well, looks like October will be the last time I'll be on live because I refuse to download this cr@ppy interface *sigh* I guess I'll sell my 360 and get a PS3.

  • CommandZer01

    Posted Aug 31, 2008 9:15 am PT

    the fall update may possibly come in november because of the many great games coming out and maybe they want to just surprise us with another great surprise...almost netflix is cool avatars are indeed not

  • Kruegmeister

    Posted Aug 29, 2008 2:18 pm PT

    Now that I know my Themes will still work, I am excited about it.
    I love on my PS3 everytime a New Firmware comes out because you get new goodies.
    I say it is about time.
    Now if they could patch the Hardware...

  • KlausRottingham

    Posted Aug 29, 2008 10:42 am PT

    PLEASE be optional. I don't want change for the sake of change. Or some horrible Mii / Sony Avatars hybrid.

  • FalsePlacebo

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 10:29 pm PT

    I really like the old/current interface and I could care less about avatars and downloading to the hard drive. Netflix integration is about the only reason I would do an update. I really, really hope this is an optional update.

  • auron_16

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 6:15 pm PT

    i really like the current interface, much better than the pics of the new one. is the update optional?

  • Orgavm

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    this was actually this most pointless thing i've read all day. the verdict: we still have no idea.

  • frantic190

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 11:39 am PT

    Masterdj they are making it super kid friendly, which is an annoyance. But it would be really cool to have the addition of weapons, maybe when you complete the game you get the gun unique to that game like the Lancer in GoW2.

  • 3v3tsst3v3

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 9:53 am PT

    Are you effin serious?!!!! you must be slightly retarded

    mstrchef13 Posted Aug 26, 2008 9:19 pm GMT Will u have to buy the update and do u have to be connected to

    xbox live to get it. TY

  • Masterdj1992

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 4:48 pm PT

    My only regret, no weapons for Avatar...

  • Agreb91

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 3:19 pm PT

    I really want this to come out soon, so a November release would be awesome.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 2:57 pm PT

    I'm actually looking forward to the fall update. I'm also glad to see that they give you the option of keeping your old themes and blades. I could imagine if they didn't, a lot of people would have been upset for all the $ spent on themes and not being able to use them. I think the dashboard is well overdue for a rehaul.

  • drsnobby65

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 9:41 am PT

    The update is needed,PERIOD!!! it,s time for a new look and a new functionalty.if it will make things user freindly then i,m for it.

  • kurtven

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 9:02 am PT

    I'm looking forward to the new look, almost like getting a new console, now we only need the Blu-Ray upgrade

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