"Server backed games"

This isn't some redesign of Live, it's a new way of playing games on Live withouth player hosted games. I smell MMOs and large multiplayer XBLA games with small client downloads. Remember that WoW is practically mainstream.

Agies

@baked ham:
Sorry for the double post.

Processing power changes = problems with the games.
Updating it won't be easy.

Don't even try to say PSN is anywhere near as good as Live, thats just a lie.

flukielukie

The fanboyism on here for Sony.. is just horrific.

Theres people posting multiple times

"360's Horrible I can't buy that crap"

"Live is going to copy PSN"

Honestly? PSN is desperately trying to be Live.

MS are just good with Software, Sony ain't.

I think this is just going to be a fixup of the current live, which I believe is required, MS want Live to be just Live. Windows Live is all over the place. Xbox Live is part of that and was from the start.

Live all together one thing, simple.

flukielukie

Is there any web interface for Live yet like what the Wii and PS3 offer? Admittedly, I haven't been on live in forever (let my subscription run out, haven't really missed it since) and haven't bothered with the blades, but it's pretty ridiculous that they charge for downloads of Family Guy when my Wii can go to YouTube and find the same episode for free, as well as any other video on the web.

TruPhan

I'm afraid of how everything is shifting towards the casual gamer. We're a dying breed my friends.

Marcus

@Fluffy22: You still can't view your friends list, let alone send messages from within games on the PS3. I don't see how there's even room for debate in the PSN vs. Live comparison.

Doomstalk

I have a feeling they are attempting a Wii killer. All the signs are there. A small quickly developed console with some sort of friend registration feature to be safe. Maybe.

Kirkpad

@Tomahawk214: The kickass-osity of the 360 library is pretty high, but so is the PS3's for all intents and purposes. The 360 definitely has more games and more variety, though. That's true, for sure. I think the 360 has the second shittiest online component, though. Just ahead of Wii, with its friend code BS and lack of voice chat. But the PS3 has friends lists, messaging, voice & video chat, etc... it's brilliant and free, and it's the best there is, no question about it. The Problem (that's a Capital-P Problem, on purpose, by the way!) is that you can't access any XMB features in-game. That's got nothing to do with the online service, it's entirely to do with the firmware. And it can and will be updated in 2008, according to Sony.

baked ham

@GOLD5: Indeed. Not that I'm at all qualified for this job, but even if MS wanted to hire me, they'd have to pay me well into the 6 figures because you just know whoever bites for this position is going to be dogged!

baked ham

what happened to the other two posts above this?

About this, I doubt it's an answer to Home. Home isn't playstation's online service, that's PSN, Home is a product of that service.

I can see them adding in some more tools in dev kits for web 2.0 type material in games (saved films in Halo and Skate for example.)

Lot krotan (wut?)

I'm actually glad to hear this. I never want to see a reskined version of the previous system when i buy another. In other words I don't want to buy xbox 720 and it to be shaped exactly like a 360, but with better graphics and the same dashboard. So I hope things stay fresh and exciting.

lifeinthefridge

@Lain:

What mistake would that be? The 360 has the PS3 beat in just about every field. The 360 has a kickass and varied lineup of games, a solid online service, and is a media center too.

Tomahawk214

Like I said before.

I wont be buying the next xbox.

I made that mistake once already.

Lain

@gamadaya: I thought so too, until I got a PS3 and the 360 got cluttered with trash. It is not bad, but not that great either, XMB is much nicer, not that it is that big of a deal. Besides, a 360 is not a media center anyway, it is a games console. It doesn't have to be intuitive like a PS3 might have to be.

@GOLD5: No shit lol

Irenicus-the one and only

@Ehardergardens: damn that was a posting lag

Ehardergardens

I really don't understand why people think Xbox live is difficult to navigate through. I was so happy with it when I first got it. Just like they menu blades, it was just so intuitive.

gamadaya

@Fluffy22: I posted this a while ago but doesn't look like it went...

I think you mean

MS "Da Hizzy" or MS "Da Crib"

Ehardergardens

You mean their already planning on a new Live for a new Xbox, shocker...

Volomon

The current Xbox Live is great but it is flawed. Hopefully the new one improves a lot of the nuisances of the old, especially the rep system.

jeffjk

I just hope they don't dumb it down or something. A optional "Friend X just got X achievement in game X." would be cool. Like if you could pick what friend(s) this was for. Most importantly it has to be optional.

Iz1ck

MS "DA Hizzy" confirmed

Ehardergardens

Couldn't have anything to do with re-releasing original Xbox Games (first-generation for Microsoft) on live as they have been... no that is too obvious. They are trying to get someone to negotiate with vendors on re-releasing the originals.

CapnSpank

@Arttemis:

Fix is on the way. I expect the Fall, but maybe even sooner...

aka Bitter

Xbox Live is great, but it could always be better!

Collapse The Control

@Irenicus-the one and only: "wearing multiple hats" = we will work you like a slave.

GOLD5

People need to re-read the article. They aren't saying new Xbox is in the works, they are saying new Xbox LIVE is in the works

scottyboy218

Do we need a new Live?

PsycheDiver

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

eek ignore that, it disappeared and showed back up

LittleBigPlaneteer

"multiple hats"???

duckmouth

I hope they're just going to roll out the 720. I want back into the xbox scene....but I'll be damned if it's going to be on a 360.

krunkjuice

What happened to the epic story? Cease and Desist? or just needed correcting? hmm

LittleBigPlaneteer

Did anyone stop to consider that this is probably just some HR person using an old, pre-X360 job posting language Word file to cut-and-paste a new one?

A Pimp Named Daver4470

@deathsyth8888: From the look on the kid's face, I thought it was DOAX2...

Wapanese

@Islandkiwi:

Then don't use it. Sony gives you a choice. You can get to games and interact with friends purely through Home's menu system.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Lain: Ahoy that.

Candlejack

I'm pretty sure we're at Live 2.0, Microsoft.

You know, functional Live, which finally came after the weak sauce you guys passed off as Live back during its early stages on the original Xbox.

AnonymousNoob

Home seems creepy to me. I don't need an interactive environment to get to my games...Hell, Live is pretty good as it is.

Islandkiwi

well m$ is known to follow other company's steps and just throw money in it's path to try and achieve a barely adequate standard so i say,home m$ version:true :)

steliosco

"and able to wear multiple hats to get things done quickly."

I have a huge head that would be the perfect job for me. lol. Seriously what the hell does that mean?

JustJake

@Leobebes: 1)Is there an "online gaming market" on consoles? You're stuck with the product that comes with your console. It's not like you can choose PSN on the 360 does it? If you mean that they are getting their shit together than yeah, with user-created content and 40-60 player games (no lag, at least in Fall of Man) for free I would say they got it together.
2)From anyone, especially Microsoft's history, you could safely assume that they will copy it if it's successful. They have done just that. Live is probably the only thing that they created themselves. And they have no shame in it (they shouldn't actually) either. How many times have we heard (Blu-ray, motion-sensing) "if the consumers want it (read: if it sells on the other consoles) we'll do it?"
3)What do you mean? Because they also provide demos and online gaming? I'm sorry but I don't think this can truly be accounted to live, since PC gaming had these components ages before Live. And by the way I don't think no one mentioned PSN, which is different from Home. If MS wanted to copy PSN, they would start by making Live free, which would be a very good direction.

In other words, people's assumptions that it might be a Home rip-off are not that far-fetched.

slomo788

@Muffin_Man: Agreed, my first thought was an entirely online game similar to current flash games. In this manner the network will support multiple games that players can utilize for free. All that is required is internet access and the proper subscription. The DRM would be there, but as it would require you to be connected to the network in order to access the content I see no reason why a downloadable (yes you would have to pay for it) version could not be made available as well. Interesting idea if they can manage it. It reminds me of the current Zune subscriptions that are available (unlimited downloads but only available while your account is active).

Hiero Glyph

I don't have anything to add just posting so i can get my account verified.

Not looking good as when I tried to sign up my email address had already been used?

Maybe I have another account from months ago I'm still waiting to have activated.
God this is a slow and crap system.

Anon771

XBL is pretty damn user friendly already...how could they make it any easier?

Even PSN which is a convoluted mess of..stuff is somewhat easy to use.

Home, well that might be a little complicated for the masses but I guess we will find out soon enough.

parad0x360

@Muffin_Man:

That's the million dollar question though. With Home the PS3 will be on par, if not past, where Live is as a network. So if Sony can offer all the same services with an added twist for free, what will Live have that makes it worth the subscription? That's probably why they're redoing this because people will look at the features and be confused as to where the cash comes in

Sparx88

if microsoft wants XBL to become the next myspace, it's going to have to make online gaming free.

not enough people are willing to pay the subscription...

what Microsoft is currently doing is commonly referred to as 'stepping over dollars to pick up pennies'

magic_envelope

The 'creating a new way' stuff sort of just sounds like them telling everyone 'we are the best, we lead the online gameing charge! always!'. But the second part convinced me otherwise. It does sound like the sort of stuff you won't have to download. Maybe trying to get more casual gamers on the 'pay-for-xbox-live-gold' train. Offer Peggle and Diner Dash sort of stuff in a free to subscribers manner.

Muffin_Man

@insane_cobra: Oh God. I was just joking. They're not? That's just sad.

Erwin

@Leobebes:
1. Home is a nice idea you cant deny that, no one is assuming that means PSN > live :/
2. No we dont know if home will be a success, no we dont know microsoft is gonna make a home style program
3.xbox live did everything first? no it copied it from other things.... thats life

cant we have a bitta fun and speculation? isnt this what comments are suppose to be about?

Me thinks ur bias against sony? :P

Fluffy22

It will be compatible with Internet 2.0

Erwin

Hopefully they will be getting dedicated servers. I refuse to use LIVE until they bring about dedicated servers with admin capabilities.

JoeshieB7

@Leobebes:

I don't see that at all really. I do see people saying the next iteration would be answer to Home. You have to admit that Home takes the console network to new places, and goes further than Xbox Live in terms of interactivity. No doubt it will be a selling factor for some, so Microsoft would be smart to have an answer to it. Simple as that. Just read the quote above from Microsoft where they elude to that interactive direction and even talked with Second Life..

LittleBigPlaneteer

I wont be buying the next Xbox.

Noway in hell I'll make that purchase again.

And when they abandon my 360 like they did with the first xbox... meh.

Lain

@insane_cobra:

"we are trying to humanize the technology"

why am I getting a downfall of human civilation feeling all of a sudden?

Sparx88

How can MS launch a new and improved Live on current console? Start saving fanbois, once these new recruits get their feet wet it's time to break the piggy bank.

ProsumeThis

Some of the comments here about Xbox Live sound like they are assuming that;

1. The PS3 has the online gaming market cornered.

2. Xbox is coming up with an answer to Home, who know one knows if it will be successful or not and already is the defacto winner of online interfaces.

3. Xbox Live is copying from PSN which is the farthest thing from the truth since PSN is doing everything it can to be XBOX LIVE.

Man the Sony bias in here is subliminally dominant.

Leobebes

@insane_cobra:

Thanks for posting that! Really interesting stuff. I do feel like they're going to make something similar to Home though

LittleBigPlaneteer

MS Home confirmed!

Fluffy22

I hope this new Xbox Live includes a fix for the currently horrible DRM License Transfer method.

Arttemis

Recently mentioned in this interview:

[xbox360.thegamereviews.com]

"JEFF BELL: Now, Web 2.0 we've talked about. Live 2.0 is coming. So, it will not be like the first generation. We are very proud of the blades, we think that worked. It was very innovative at the time. But you will see us evolve to make an even more assessable approachable user interface, that is playing upon where things have been going in the last 5 years.

TGR: Voice chat?

JEFF BELL: Possibly."

And it's most likely not Microsoft's version of Home either. From the same interview:

"TGR: May I ask something? With the introduction of Home. Xbox would be perfect for a virtual world. Well, there has been a rumor on the internet; is it something that MS is considering?

JEFF BELL: Hmm, you know, I will give you my point of view, and again, I am just one person, so never say never, and whatever, but, I actually feel that our role is to humanize technology. I think that we should allow our games, whether they are more online, MMO's, whether it is PC, that are potentially coming into the console, role-playing games, whether it is sports or all the different things. To me, that is the escape. That is the fantasy. I believe that whether it is the camera, or the voice chat or the chat pad, we are trying to humanize the technology to make more real community as opposed to virtual community. So for that reason, we talked to Second Life since I have been here and well before that. They would really love to come in and be on Xbox Live. I just don't know if that is the right thing. I am really questioning it. I can't say that I am done with it, but in many ways the Gamer's Tags are fun, but we are seeing more and more people be more and more transparent about who they really are, as opposed to being kind of "I'm hiding, or I am trying to be a voyager," or something else. So, I think that right now, if you wanted my position, we are trying to humanize the technology and let the games and entertainment be the escape. So we really are not as focused on that kind of Second Life experience."

insane_cobra

I don't think mainstream audiences will be that into home ... non-gamers seem to think it's a bit creepy to make a fake house online and hang out with people there instead of just actually getting together.

jayntampa

"Want to be involved in the next release of Xbox?"
I don't think we'll know any more about whatever this is for quite awhile.

t0yrobo

I know it's certainly a long shot but maybe they are thinking of revamping the pricing programs or god for bid making it free like it should be.

north449

As long as it doesn't surrender to the onslaught of casuals, then I'm fine with it.

Ryumeka

as others have said, I too think Microsoft will try to have some sort of home of it's own. But it will still be seen as a copy, much like the sixaxis.

QC8472

Actually I thought as soon as that said 'completely new way for mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and Live' that they were going to bundle a Wiimote-esque IR pointer in with a new version of the service that'd let people point-n-click at stuff with ease. Weren't we talking about rumors of Microsoft looking into using motion/pointing controls on the 360? I'm curious if they planned to develop a more 'Casual PC surfer/gamer' experience for the 360.

Ampillion lives a life much like No More Heroes.

"We are looking for a passionate Games Producer to help implement our first generation games that will run in this new environment"

Aren't they just talking about a job to help with Xbox Originals or something? Implementing first gen games in this new environment (online) is exactly what Xbox Originals is isn't it?

LittleBigPlaneteer

Interesting. It could mean anything, like the next xbox system, but the small team part sounds messed up, wearing multiple hats sounds messed up too.

I doubt they are talking about web-based games though Fahey. Not enough drm and control :P

Irenicus-the one and only

Considering that Microsoft has the on-line console gaming market virtually cornered right now, I can't see them putting a ton of resources into a total revamping of a system that already works pretty well... Gotta agree with Fahey that his is going to be more feature-adding than a total rehaul /revamping.

jslay012

I'm trying to decided if "The Next Release of Xbox" is the next firmware update or more likely the next console. If it's the next console combined with that article a few months ago about studios already making games for the next Xbox hardware cycle we might be seeing that console a lot sooner than many expected.

Nirolak

I wonder what game the people in that picture are playing? Gears of War perhaps, judging by the look on the mom's face. Blood splatter and swearing makes any suburban mom happy.

deathsyth8888

"...mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and LIVE."

Microsoft's answer to Home, XBox Life!

I need more medicine.

Saint Anima: Kotaku's Poetic Massacre

I'm hoping it means they've hit upon a new technology for Live that allows you to electrocute squeakers and idiots with a convienient press of a button.

ShaggE

sounds kinky

richard733

This better be something good because i tired of all the Bullshit surrounding the xbox and xboxlive.

MXs219

dedicated servers instead of peer, sweeeeet

JakeDunn

I am actually familiar with the group posting this listing and the projects they are working on. Most of the speculation above is way off base. This is not a clone of Home. I won't leak details, but only one comment above is fairly close to the mark. The work is underway as an extension of capabilities for Xbox Live, not a complete replacement; and it is targetted for Xbox 360, not a new console. It will support new types of games, but won't affect current online play.

truthiness

Look here casual gamers.. we were here first.. we should be catered to first. Not the newbs! I mean think about it, once the casual gamer becomes a hardcore gamer.. they won't be happy with the casual product.. so why go backwards? Guess you could have different flavours, like difficulty levels. Xbox Dash "Newb" Xbox Dash "Advanced".

JustOneFix

"wear multiple hats" means:
We won't tell you what you're responsible for until you fail to accomplish something we never asked you to do, and then all the managers will take a step back and volunteer your name as the culpable party. What, you expect us to jump on a fugging grenade for you losers?

ChaoticLimbs

Don't screw with the formula newbies! Arrg!

Allen750

how about a dedicated server? hers my $50 so u can use my bandwidth M$, at least sonys system is good enough to be used as a server with out melting, and it can cure cancer too!, anyway im not being bias i own all 3 damn systems

npa.189

@baked ham: Sony could give you two cans and a string and it would be more for your money VS Live as long as you get it for free. Live is heavily integrated into the Xbox experience and PSN just isn't that big of a focus in the PS3, at least until whenever they shoehorn online functionality into the whole experience.

Agies

It could be possible there talking about a hand held system with the XBOX brand name. There could be looking at a way to integrate such a device with live and allow you to play the old games.

DJBell1986

@flukielukie: Well, I've had Live go out on me numerours times, but mostly just during the recent post-holiday. Live has no dedicated servers, but my Warhawk has awesome, fast, reliable dedicated servers, and no player gets an advantage for being "host" unlike in every Xbox Live game (primary culprit being Gears of War, in which the host and the team with the host had severe advantage). It has more or less the same messaging and voice/video chat features, and it's got friends, and everything else I ever use on Live. All that it doesn't have is the ability to invite players from the XMB, and have XMB access in game, which would enable messaging in-game, etc. If I ever argue that PSN is better, it's because it's free. The PSN for free beats the crap out of Xbox Live for money, in my opinion. It's a good service with almost all of the same features, and once the firmware update comes to allow in-game XMB, you'll see pretty much all of the combined Dashboard/Live functionality in the combined XMB/PSN. And about variable processor speeds... I ... uh... I admit I don't know what the hell you mean... but I don't see how there's a problem with it. Sony's working on it, and I see no reason they can't pull it off. They didn't say "we'll work on it" or "we'll try" they said "It'll be done later this year."

baked ham