Tue, Apr 12, 2011 | 05:50 BST
Xbox 360 dashboard beta discs received by testers
Xbox 360 update beta testers have begun receiving packages from microsoft, containing the new dashboard beta along with a copy of Halo: Reach.
Kotaku reports the discs come with a stern warning against sharing them around.
Trying to use the promo copies of Halo: Reach in an Xbox 360 which is not yet registered for the beta program will apparently block the console from Xbox Live until the update officially launches.
Microsoft has asked participants to use the disc, and then play other games, and report any issues that arise as a result.
Although accompanying materials seem to suggest the beta is testing a new update delivery system, Xbox 360 game discs already occasionally contain firmware updates, suggesting something else is going on.
Microsoft’s original call for testers mentioned a new disc format. A rumour suggests the new format allows for an extra 1 GB of data, as well as adding in additional piracy measures.
Adding weight to this line of reasoning, those who chose to participate in the beta via network updates began receiving the updated dashboard last week, and are also apparently receiving Halo: Reach discs.
Thanks, CVG.
13 comments
#1
frostquake
12/04/11, 5:59 am
Pass, Pass, and Pass….
#2
neon6
12/04/11, 6:20 am
What is this supposed to accomplish?
#3
Blerk
12/04/11, 8:44 am
Er… testing the update before they send it to millions of people?
#4
evilashchris
12/04/11, 10:30 am
Blerk. The shining light in a sea of mongs.
#5
Blerk
12/04/11, 10:37 am
It’s a shame it’s US-only this time, this is the first one I’d have been up for.
#6
pukem0n
12/04/11, 11:13 am
new discs supposedly hold over 10GB of data.
#7
Blerk
12/04/11, 11:14 am
I very much doubt that.
#8
Hunam
12/04/11, 11:23 am
Yeah, probably not, but we did end up getting CD’s that went up to 870mb so getting bigger DVD’s isn’t too far out of the realms of possibility.
#9
Blerk
12/04/11, 11:37 am
Don’t get me wrong, it’d be brilliant if that was actually true. But I just don’t see them getting more than the ‘standard’ DVD size, which seems to have been constant for ages. Wouldn’t such a change entail special discs or special pressing at the duplication plants, hence increasing costs?
#10
tigersaman
12/04/11, 12:06 pm
i think M$ will introduce a new compression way to increase the size instead of phisicaly change discs
#11
neon6
12/04/11, 3:18 pm
I meant what’s the point of a new board. They’ve changed it multiple times now and for what what purpose?
#12
freedoms_stain
12/04/11, 3:21 pm
@11, the current one is a total mess?
#13
Blerk
12/04/11, 3:27 pm
It’s not a completely new dashboard, it’s just a firmware tweak with some new stuff. New stuff is good, no?