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.

Fable 2 DLC Gets Tangled in Knots

Been enjoying your time in Albion, Fable 2 fans? You’re not alone. You’re also probably eagerly awaiting your first trip to Knothole Island, the first addition to the game’s already expansive landscape, which was due to hit the Xbox LIVE Marketplace next week. I say “was” because, well, Knothole Island has gone the way of Atlantis … sinking into the abyss without a trace. At least for now.

Fans will have to wait at least another month before they take a vacation to Knothole Island. Apparently, the downloadable content has hit a bit of a snag. According to an update posted on the Xbox.com website:

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Tales of Vesperia Demo

In addition to the release of the Too Human demo, Microsoft has released a demo for Namco Bandai’s Tales of Vesperia. The 278 MB demo gives North American gamers the very first taste of this RPG series - and the very first Tales RPG to be developed for Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Expect a lot more releases later this week on Xbox Live as part of Microsoft’s “Bringing it Home” programming all this week.