Today, at the Microsoft press conference, a new Live interface was revealed. It is a GUI that will incorporate Avatars, 3D sliders, and channels that will replace the blade system currently in use. As presenter John Schappert put it, the new interface is all about "simplicity and fun."
The Avatar is basically what we saw with the leak a few weeks back. Microsoft is using the studio of Banjo-Kazooie fame, Rare, for the visuals of the avatars. Users will be able to customize their Avatars however they wish – at a price. Shirts, pants, shoes, hats, and whatever else will be available via Marketplace. Avatars can also be used in XBLA, the first game of which will be the new Uno rendition, Uno Rush.
The “community channel” is also another part of the new interface. The big sticking point of the channel is the “Live party” system. Live party will allow groups of up to eight players to private chat each other at once across a variety of tasks, including watching Netflix movies or playing games as usual. Tied into this new system is “Primetime,” which, according to Major Nelson, is essentially a collection of trivia games that can reward gamers with real prizes as well as achievements.
A few other notable things will go down this fall when the interface is implemented. Xbox 360 owners will finally be able to utilize their hard drives for more than just storing movies and music. Players will be able to download their games to the hard drive, creating faster load times. New displays will be supported within the update. The elusive 1440x900 and the 1680X1050 will be available, as well 16x10 over VGA or HDMI.
We’re all sure that new stuff will continually be announced over the week, so stay tuned for more details on the above stuff, as well as anything that may pop up.
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Contest:
3:47 PM on 07.14.2008
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Man oh man, the things people will buy!
"Players will be able to download their games to their games to the hard drive" Just a little typo but thats good to hear. It's funny though as not too long ago people were crapping on Sony for Dl'ing games to the HDD.
Go Micro$oft!
The new interface does look sexy though.
The avatars are stolen from Nintendo and the new menu system i stolen from Sony. Weh will Microsoft stop their shameless pillaging?
is "black bitch" racist?
And pretty fitting that 16x10 aspect ratio is announced about 2 weeks after I ditch my little monitor and buy a lcdTV. BASTARDS!
:D
Microsoft: Oh, you'll make an avatar. You will use it and LIKE IT.
I'm gonna go design a new one and email M$ and let them know how much theirs sucks.
Copying is what is also referred to as competition. Nobody said it had to be fair or original.
"Yo Gabagool, youse could pay me tomorrow instead of today, but I would ENCOURAGE you to pay me TODAY!"
I know...horrible Italian gangster speak! LOL
nanowerx: What did you expect from microsoft? Really, it's like everyone in the world has forgotten (or is too young to have a clue) what microsoft is just because they put out a game console. It's microsoft, it will cost too much and break too often. I'd have been more surprised if it were cheap and good.
AH okay thanks for clearing that up :)