Tag Archives: new xbox experience

Rich over at Digital Foundry sent word that he’s given New Xbox Experience the proverbial seeing to, posting seven HD movies on various aspects of the new 360 UI and a ton of detailed loading time stats to show where you’re going to benefit most from installing games to the hard drive.

The loading stats are:

Hit the link for all the videos and a bunch of tech shit. It’s got most of the stuff you want to know, probably.

Microsoft’s released some footage of Avatars being included in games, as you can see after the break.

Obviously, Avatars are the visual representations of 360 owners to be included with the launch of NXE on November 19.

See for yourself.

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VG247 reader revolting brings word that the New Xbox Experience preview has now gone live. He’s been using it, and everything.

Microsoft sent out mails earlier this week promising those lucky enough to be selected to pre-test the UI before general release on November 19 would have the update on their machines before November 1.

Microsoft: good for its word.

The company held a UK preview even yesterday for NXE, the results of which are embargoed until Monday. We couldn’t go due to baby-related stuff, but we’ll be sure to bring you all the news as it pops up on other sites next week.

Thanks, revolting!

Nelson tells that all the emails confirming places on the New Xbox Experience early look thing announced last week have been sent out.

Only 1,000 people were able to get involved, so check your mail to see if you were one of the lucky ones.

NXE ships on November 19.

Bored of it yet? Destructoid’s just published a large impressions piece on NXE, including screens and plenty of words.

Better get used to it. Microsoft UK’s holding preview events this week, so expect a ton more.

New Xbox Experience ships on November 19.

Both Engadget and Joystiq have posted up lengthy impressions of New Xbox Experience, the former posting a ton of off-screen photos, while the latter’s published three long, direct-feed movies from the new UI. Find them after the break.

Expect plenty more on this before it hits on November 19. Watch the videos while you’re injecting your caffeine.

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Microsoft’s said New Xbox Experience will help Xbox 360 acheive mass market status when it releases next month, broadening the console’s appeal further than it’s Gears of War-loving market.

“It’s a big Christmas for us in terms of where we think we’re going to go,” Xbox Live UK product manager James Houlton told IGN.

“We feel that we do a fairly good job with Fable and Gears and games like that, but with the New Xbox Experience and our other broadening titles we feel there’s an opportunity to grow that market as well. The New Xbox Experience is there to help us on that journey.”

There’s a full test of NXE through the link, including a re-confirmation of the Avatar Store, planned for launch next spring.

Speaking to MCV, Xbox Live boss John Schappert has said that New Xbox Experience will offer up a retail space that traditional brick and mortar sellers can’t provide.

“There are games coming that would not get the space at retail, and that’s a big part of why we’re refreshing the system,” he said.

“We want to widen the content to make it more accessible for different users. It’s pretty hard to get retail distribution these days, and shelf space continues to be a challenge and people are opting for that – Penny Arcade is a great example of that.

“Look at Geometry Wars 2, Castle Crasher and Braid.

“They’re seeing tremendous success. That’s exactly what we want on our service – when retail gets pressured, you can go online.”

He added: “We’re going to continue to see a great mix. At retail, you can find casual games, RPGs, action games. We are like an online retailer in essence with our Arcade, and you are seeing those titles.”

Just a hunch, but we suspect the phrase “retail gets pressured” may take on a slightly different meaning in the next few years.

There’s a full interview here.

Update: Hope you got in early. It’s over. Nelson just added this to the bottom of his post: “I just found out that that the preview program is now FULL. Now it’s time to go through the thousands of applicants. Thanks for your interest and good luck getting in!”

Nelson brings word that applications to get in on an early look of New Xbox Experience are now open.

There’s information about how to register through there. Basic stuff from the Major’s blog:

• We’re looking for a few thousand participants, so your chances of making it in are good
• This opportunity is open to all Xbox LIVE Members in regions where Xbox LIVE is available
• Just completing the survey does not automatically get you access to the NXE. We’ll be making final selections from from the completed surveys.
• Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up. Priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

The update’s already in the hands of journalists, as we were excitedly informed last night. MTV’s posted up impressions already.

NXE launches on November 19.

On GamerScoreBlog. As with the rest of these NXE function reveals, there are some screens and a bit of blurb, this time on the new Netflix and Video Store stuff.

The 360 UI update launches on November 19. Take a look.

X3F’s running a piece that appears to show that NXE Avatars will have their own specific URL containing three sizes of images of your Live persona.

There’s a sample here, but you’ll find it garbled in Firefox, if that’s what you’re using.

NXE launches on November 19. More through the link.

Microsoft has responded to the Xbox Live Primetime delay published earlier today by saying that the release date of “November 19 is only the beginning!” and that there is there is plenty more to come as far as New Xbox Experience is concerned.

“The New Xbox Experience is a long term initiative and what we are rolling out on November 19th is only the beginning!” a Microsoft spokesperson told videogaming247.

“With the New Xbox Experience we will have the flexibility to roll out features and updates dynamically, unlike in the past where we were on a more biannual schedule. So, there are a lot more exciting features, including Primetime that will be coming soon.”

By Mike Bowden

In this week’s podcast, Major Nelson teases that if you keep on eye on his blog next week, you might be able to get your hands on New Xbox Experience early.

From the podcast:

“Major Nelson: “…I know you as my audience, you guys, you like to pick up and play. You want to get your hands on it and I don’t blame you because you’ll enjoy it. In fact, if you want to get your hands on it, let me just say this…….keep an eye on my blog next week. If you want to get your hands on it early, that’s all I’m going to say.”

E: “So let me make sure I understand this, so if I were a listener to the podcast.”

Major Nelson: “Correct”

E: “And I wanted to have access to the New Xbox Experience before November 19th. I should visit MajorNelson.com on a regular basis.”

Major Nelson: “That’s pretty much what I’m saying”

E: “Okay, interesting.

Major Nelson: “I’m not going to say anything more”

E: “I wonder what that means”

Major Nelson: “Stay Tuned. So New Xbox Experience coming November 19th….or earlier to a few of you.”

Thanks, Gameplay Unlimited.

By Mike Bowden

It doesn’t get any better than this. A video. Of community games. Working in the New Xbox Experience. On Major Nelson’s blog.

Xbox 360 production boss Aaron Greenberg called NXE “the biggest moment in the history of the internet” earlier this week, so get watching.

NXE launches on November 19.

Microsoft has just confirmed to VG247 that Europeans are to enjoy Xbox 360 memory upgrades in the run up to NXE’s launch, having confirmed a scheme to provide necessary memory to non-HD 360 users in the States overnight.

Word for word:

General

• Active Live members with no storage or with a 64mb MU: Offered 512mb for free or 20GB HDD for £12.99
• Active Live members with 256 or 512 MU but no HDD: Offered 20GB HDD for £12.99
• Console has not connected to XBL 12 month and doesn’t possess MU: Offered 20gb HDD and 3 month Xbox Live £19.99

Arcade console

• Active Live subscribers without a HDD: Offered 20gb HDD for £12.99
• Non active Live subscriber without a HDD and not connected to XBL within 12 months: 20gb HDD + 3 month Xbox Live for £19.99

Remember, you need at least 128Mb of memory to run NXE, which launches on November 19.

Following news that New Xbox Experience would require 128Mb of memory to run, Microsoft has announced that it’s offering either a free 512Mb memory unit or a 20Gb hard drive for $19.99 to those that own an Xbox 360 with no memory space.

If you bought a 360 with no hard drive, you can go here and enter you serial number to see whether or not you can take advantage of the offer.

No idea if this is happening in Europe.

NXE launches on November 19.

According to this Shacknews report, Microsoft’s confirmed that New Xbox Experience is to launch without its promised movie-sharing functionality.

An MTV story earlier this evening had reported that the UI update may ship without film- and photo-sharing.

“Photo Sharing is going to be available at launch,” said Microsoft is a statement.

“With regards to movies, the New Xbox Experience is a long term initiative, what we are rolling out in November is only the beginning!

“With the New Xbox Experience we will have the flexibility to roll out features and updates dynamically, unlike in the past where we were on a more biannual schedule. So, there are a lot more exciting features, including Movie Sharing that will be coming soon.”

More through the link. NXE ships on November 19.

GamerScoreBlog’s posted up screens of the new Xbox Live Marketplace for PC, which’ll be going live with the New Xbox Experience on November 19.

The new feature will allow you to browse and buy Marketplace content through Windows, queuing up downloads for your 360. Once you’ve made your choices, all you have to do is switch on your console and down comes the content.

More details and screens through the link.

According to this X3F story, Microsoft’s NXE announcement from Tokyo this morning was a note that Avatar customization requires 256Mb of storage.

We’re looking at you, Core owners. Hard drive or bust. More through the link.

NXE was confirmed this morning for a November 19 launch.

A couple of hands-on piece on New Xbox Experience have popped up this morning, so check out some lengthy previews on Kotaku and 1UP.

The 360 UI update was confirmed this morning for a November 19 launch in November.