Posts Tagged ‘nxe’
Microsoft releases list of Avatar rules
How funny would it be if you could have your Xbox 360 Avatar with a beer in its hand while wearing a man thong? Pretty damn funny, right? According to Microsoft, no, not funny at all.
The company has recently given the XNA developer community a list of rules that Avatars must abide by if the developers so choose to use them. The list encompasses pretty much everything you would think, no alcohol, tobacco, vulgarity, criminal acts, profanity, the works. However, the fact that they can’t and can’t have a personality shows that Microsoft is forming a connection between the Avatar and the player.
I don’t really blame Microsoft for this one because, as all Halo 3 Xbox Live players are sure to have found out, kids do use the service
Full list, courtesy of Destructoid, after the break.
New Xbox Experience with next issue of Official Xbox Mag
It seems that Microsoft isn’t happy with just including the New Xbox Experience on upcoming game discs and decided to add another approach.
The NXE dashboard update will be on a CD included with the next issue of Official Xbox Magazine.
So, for those of you unconnected old-dashboard-lovin’ Xbox owners, don’t insert that shiny lookin’ disc included with OXM, no matter how pretty it looks.
Read (Destructoid)
New games to include NXE update
Yes, it’s true, some Xbox 360 owners out there are still playing with the old Xbox dashboard. Crazy, I know.
Well it looks like developers are giving them a push in the right direction. It was recently announced that the update for the dashboard will be included in upcoming titles.
Two games confirmed to have included the update are Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X and MLB NK9, now lets just hope those sorry souls buy them.
Read (Xbox Insider.net)
Early NXE Concepts Revealed
Before deciding to roll with what is the New Xbox Experience dashboard, Microsoft had hired design firm Gridplane to prototype several versions of an update to Xbox 360’s user interface. The company has finally posted a few images of one of its early concepts.
“These examples represent one of many concepts that we worked on,” wrote the company on its website. “In addition to the menu systems, we dreamt up an immersive 3D environment for users to explore.”
Some of the ideas look pretty cool. But hey, the final NXE dashboard is much more clean, efficient and user-friendly than any of the console’s competitors.
Microsoft releases new 360 avatar clothing
Now before you US-ers get too excited (because we all know anything to do with Microsoft’s 360 avatars are so exciting) please note that the recently released shirts for your avatars will probably only appeal to Europeans.
ANYWAYS, Microsoft released yesterday a whole pack of football (soccer) shirts, dubbed the European National Football Teams collection,complete with little tiny country flags on them that you can barely see, oh boy!
The following countries made the cut:
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Norway
Portugal
Scotland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Wales
Read (Kotaku)
Xbox Live Proving Excellent Resource For Netflix
Probably the only part of the NXE that was universally enjoyed was the possibility of streaming Netflix films from your queue for anyone with an Xbox Live Arcade Gold membership. Since the service launched in November people have been flocking to the flat-rate video rental service.
Redbush analyst Michael Pachter estimates that over eight million people are currently connecting to Xbox Live and figures that many of them are simply a few mouse clicks away from subscribing to Netflix. He places the number of Xbox subscribers who have signed up for Netflix at over 200,000 in the three months since the service launched and he expects another million to sign up in the next year, given the high install base and further expected sales for the console and Microsoft’s strong support of Xbox Live.
New Xbox Dashboard appearing at BestBuy?
If you want to get your hands on the much-hyped complete Xbox 360 dashboard overhaul, then you better get on the phone with your local BestBuy to see if they have the software up for preview.
It seems one lucky gamer who just so happen to be browsing through BestBuy happened upon the Xbox 360 display unit which had none other than the NXE. The above picture was taken at a BestBuy near St. Louis so there is no telling if other BestBuys are doing the same.
Read(PlatformNation)
Party-centric NXE Goes Live
A new party-centric preview for the New Xbox Experience has gone live, offering a sneak peek at the party feature in the console’s many multiplayer games. This allows players to stay together across different games and join together more easily.
This party feature joins many other newcomers, including Netflix streaming, customizable player Avatars, game installs, monitor resolution support and more.
The final version of the dashboard update is set to go live on November 19.
Get Early NXE Access
Following up on his promise, Major Nelson has revealed that a few thousand fans will find their way to the New Xbox Experience, the Xbox 360 dashboard overhaul, earlier than the scheduled release date of November 19.
Users can now sign up at Microsoft Connect – the company’s beta software site – for a chance to get early access to the update. Interested gamers will need to fill up a survey, giving information such as Netflix subscription, internet connection and media streaming capabilities, as well as their console ID to get into the beta.
Completing the survey won’t ensure beta participation, but it won’t hurt to try. It is open to all Xbox Live members, though Gold members will be given priority access.
Live Primetime No Longer Part of NXE Launch
Disappointing those who were looking forward to it, Microsoft announced that Xbox Live Primetime, the online quiz network that was originally announced as part of the New Xbox Experience, won’t arrive alongside the dashboard update on November 19.
The company notes that they delay was necessary to “ensure a smooth launch of the system’s new user interface.”
Live Primetime would allow gamers to take part in virtual game shows that take place at scheduled times. It is now expected to go live during Spring 2009.
Major Nelson Rewarding Readers With Early Access to NXE
Fans of Larry Hyrb – aka Major Nelson – will have their loyalty rewarded as a select few will be offered early access to the new Xbox 360 dashboard, according to hints dropped in his weekly podcast.
"If you want to get your hands on [the new Xbox dashboard early], let me just say this: keep an eye on my blog next week," reads a GamePlay Unlimited transcription of his podcast. "So New Xbox Experience coming November 19th, or earlier to a few of you."
The New Xbox Experience will add Netflix streaming, player avatars, photo sharing, game installs, HD monitor support and more.