Xbox Live update goes live, stirs the pot
Microsoft today launched an update that added plenty of changes, new features and a slight controversy. First let’s get the controversy out of the way. Web sites around the world highlighted a passage touting a “Netflix exclusive” relationship, which Kyle Orland rightly pointed out was “nothing new” and not a big deal.
The “big deal” for bloggers was probably the fact that it felt like a “shut out” of other platforms like the PS3 and Wii. But having some exclusively doesn’t quite hold the power it used to because exclusivity is only a temporary state these days. In other words, Microsoft may have an exclusive relationship with Netflix for now, but that will inevitably change when Sony and Nintendo decide that Netflix is important and some deals get hammered out.
Now onto what new features you’ll find in this update. Games on Demand are now available, allowing Xbox 360 owners to pay to play top titles. The good news is that previously purchased downloadable content should work with any titles you pay to play. So, for example, if you bought Mothership Zeta for Fallout 3 and wanted to play it with your games on demand Fallout 3 game, you shouldn’t have any problems. The selection is pretty thin now, but more titles will be added every Tuesday, according to Microsoft.
The framework for a new Avatar Marketplace went live today as well, offering avatar gear, apparel and props. You won’t be able to buy anything today, but on August 13 you can start perusing whatever is available at its launch.
Netflix subscribers can now watch movies with friends and find new movies to add to their Instant Queue without much effort. The ability to watch movies with your friends is being called Party Watch, though this feature is only available with titles that support it. Other nNetflix related changes include improved playback and more information displayed to your friends when using Netflix.
Parties have gotten a slight tweak beyond the Netflix stuff; now disconnected party members will automatically be reconnected without user intervention and party invites have been streamlined to be.. well, less of a pain in the ass. No more navigating through multiple screens, say Microsoft.
Other improvements include user interface tweaks, better account management, new display options, user ratings for games and other functions of Xbox Live, improved friends list sorting and other minor tweaks and adjustments.
you can read all about it here. The promise of Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm integration is still there, but it won’t come until this fall. Will people even care about Facebook and Twitter then? Who the f**k knows. We’re a fickle bunch.
