Xbox Live going offline next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, at 6:01 am Pacific Daylight Time, Xbox Live will go offline. Not for good, though. Microsoft is merely taking the system down for 24 hours as part of the system-wide upgrade code-named "Tsunami." Once implemented, Tsunami will bring a bevy of new features to Xbox Live, including improved team dynamics, team customization features, new custom-competition options, and MSN messenger integration.

Unfortunately, not all these features will be available after Xbox Live comes back online and users download the obligatory update. "It’s important to note that not all features we have announced will be available after the upgrade," read a forum post from Xbox Live Director of Programming Major Nelson. "Most [features] will not be visible until game developers decide to implement specific features into their titles."

Other than saying MSN Messenger would not be integrated right away, Microsoft was vague about what features would and would not be available. In another, lengthier post, Nelson explained "we are shipping these updates SOON...that is about as specific as the developers will let me get." For now, Xbox Live users will just have to endure next week's inconvenience and assume the promised improvements are on the way.