A rumored list of changes for the Xbox 360 Spring Update made its rounds on the intarwebs a little while back. We didn’t post it because we knew it wasn’t real. And now we get more information on why it’s not real… no Spring Dashboard Update this year. That’s right, your Xbox 360 Dash will be staying the same.
In an interview, general manager of Xbox Live Marc Whitten confirmed the details to Next-Gen. Instead of the Spring Update with more features, Microsoft will be “building the proper infrastructure and scale for the service.” That means they’re making sure Live doesn’t crash like last Christmas. I think that’s a better way to spend their time anyway.
However, not all hope is lost. In June, Micrsoft will be releasing a DRM fix that will allow you to reauthorize all of your purchased content onto your console. If you bought things and got the RRoD, this will allow you to play and use all downloaded content without the need be connected to Live. Good stuff.
Finally, Xbox Live Arcade is getting a big cleanup. Any title that has been out for at least 6 months, has a Metacritic score of less than 65%, and has a conversion rate of less than 6% might get deleted from the servers. Don’t know what all that means? Basically, older XBLA games that suck are getting removed so there’s less clutter. Hopefully Microsoft gives notice on which games get removed beforehand just in case you want to drop some money on shovelware.
Available tomorrow, here are some of the new features courtesy of Gamerscoreblog that will be available using the new Windows Messenger options:
- Chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles.
- Instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
- View at a glance if friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags and add them to a unified friends list.
- Utilize the virtual keyboard on the Xbox 360 to text chat or connect a USB keyboard to the console. Launching later this summer, the Xbox 360 text-input device accessory will connect directly to the controller to support instant messaging.
Here are some other new details that will also be available with the new spring update:
- On-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement, allowing gamers to see their progress without leaving or pausing the game.
- An even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings that enable different default settings for video chat and voice chat.
- A new, standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space.
- Xbox LIVE Arcade enhancements that showcase what games friends are playing directly from the friends list. Boasting about high scores, comparing progress and checking out leaderboards are all easier now as well.
- Faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature.
- The ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
- Owners can now set their consoles to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace to help save energy, and download speeds have been increased.
The update is free as always and will be available tomorrow afternoon.
There are two videos available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace that will show you in great detail the benefits of the Spring Update we have all been waiting for. Both videos are free and available only from the Marketplace by going to: xbox live marketplace –> media and entertainment –> new releases –> game trailers Check ‘em out.
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