@jfx316: having it as a option makes a difference...

Snukadaman_

damn, i was hoping they'd update their codecs so i cud watch ripped hd tv shows and anime.

But yeah, these updates look pretty good. With the exception of spotty codec support, the most primary use of the xbox is to watch movies, tv shows since it upscales so well to the hdtv

meltyman

@karasu is my homeboy:
Oh, check your inbox, too.

All in all, some of the features here do look nice. I'd love to be able to chop some of those old XBLA demos I tried once and never even considered buying out of my gamertag, for example. It's just clutter.

Game installs...eh. My hard drive only has 2 gigs left on it, and there aren't enough games I want coming out to justify upgrading to a 120GB (not to mention the price is still exorbitantly high), so I probably wouldn't make much use of this feature even if it turns out being true.

Archaotic

Oh god I hope this list is real. I've wanted at least 4 person private chat for forever.

kojirodensetsu

@Archaotic: Yeah, I wasn't trying to be rude and hope I didn't come off as such. It's easy to miss things, and they usually do just spit out that one "rumors and speculation" sentence.

That's why it makes the follow up statement seem so much more revealing.

karasu is my homeboy

so....does this mean that people can chill out with the "PS3 suX!! TH.AY HAVE INTALLS" cracks?

and it sounds like the 360-mote is happening. this casual gamers market is making people do really silly things. i'd really like to meet these "casual" gamer people and slap them for fucking shit up.

jfx316

@karasu is my homeboy:
Heh, you found it pretty easily. Generally the big three tend to just leave their PR responses to leaks at "rumors and speculation", though, which is why I said that. It's refreshing, and surprising, to see something different out of their mouths for once.

And you're right, the tone is pretty much dead-on there.

Archaotic

"Pre-load Games Library for faster access."

nice.

A pretty extensive list for something that would be made up, I'd say. Interesting.

lionkitten

HOLY SHIT!
HOLY SHIT! Game installs!

How credible is the source for this rumor list? There are tons of features on this list that I'd love to see implamented... namely:
+Check email
+Scroll through marketplace descriptions (I subconsciously do this every time)
+Ability to delete games with 0 achievement points from card (Yaris scarred my list)
+"Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading."
+"Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download to Storage Device."
+"Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content."

Arttemis

@Archaotic:

Yeah, where's the "rumors and speculation" part? Isn't that their canned response for everything?

""""""""We don't comment on rumors or speculation, but what we can tell you is we've never seen this list before.""""""""

There.

Their "never seeing this list before" means nothing because the source wrote it up himself. I kind of read the second part as an angry denial shocked upon learning something displeasant.

Like, crap. We've been caught, we're shocked, this must be addressed, where the hell did this come from!? "We've never seen this before, I'll tell you that much! (but I won't tell you we're gonna do a major cleaning in house and fire somebody's ass from the Live team!!!)"

karasu is my homeboy

The Motion Sensor and the Game Installs are more proof that the 360 wants to be more like the PS3.

StealthMaster86

"Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title)."

Good, my brother left Halo 3 in my system, and when I put in my memory card and autosigned in, it got on my gamercard

Jeff Paine

@Killtacular:
This is why I've been saying for a while now that a Sony/Microsoft joint project, with Sony developing hardware and Microsoft doing software, would likely be the best console ever created. Microsoft's got their shit together when it comes to software, they just run in circles like a retarded headless dog when it comes to hardware.

Archaotic

I hope they fix matchmaking issues for people outside the US o' A.

Its impossible to get a decent ranked match on CoD4 or GTAIV for us australians. Always get games full of yanks calling us british.

d0mino

mandatory installs confirmed. just kidding.

this is by far a content heavy update.

i have been wanting to group chat for a long time

Dakobah

You know, rip on MS all you want, but that list of fixes/tweaks is impressive. The science that has gone in to LIVE and the Xbox 360's dash is amazing.

If only they could get their hardware together on the same level.

Killtacular

Nice tweaking items.

Kinburn

@Heliophage:
Yeah, where's the "rumors and speculation" part? Isn't that their canned response for everything?

Maybe there's a ring of truth to this one, or maybe this is a shorter/longer version of a real list they're about to give out in a press release.

Archaotic

Useful. Especially the Ping option for the network connection. I hate my connection and it hates me, so I don't want to check pings through the computer every time I have an urge to play.

RPharazonius

@Shoemaster: Id say the ability to install games is pretty freakin major.

Luke Plunkett

...but what we can tell you is we've never seen this list before..."

That's not part of their typical response, is it?

Heliophage

Holy Crap. Amazing new features.

Especially:

5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
30. Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
38. Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger/MSN

Terance

@karasu is my homeboy:
Agreed 120%.

Group chat is such a necessity.

HotFootMcCook

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! LOL... one of my two most favorite times of year is here :)

*HUGS Michael McWhertor*

okenny :)

Group private chat sounds sweet.

TOWER_JUNKIE

A few useful things, but nothing too major. I'd like to see more support for non-traditional resolutions, but bah.

Shoemaster

Group private chat!?

Know what video people are watching!?

Remove payment from the console?

More gamer info in your profile!?

It's all these little things that have me, and I'm sure the other Live gamers, excited. Screw motion control.

Let this list be real, please.

karasu is my homeboy

Oooh if you could "gift" Xbox Live Gold then I'd be down for that. As the receiver of course.

Barbara

Mario Galaxy confirmed for the 360

manabu

Live just continues to obliterate PSN

Oh, I'm ecstatic that we can remove payment information. Hopefully this is the end to the need to call MS to change payment information for Live.

This Spring update looks like it will satisfy everyone. Suffice to say, motion controls might be one of the less impressive things on that list.

Snuffbox

you hate installations on the ps3 and hope the xbox360 gets them too? I don't get it...

VakeroRokero

Hey there are some good thing here. #1 under Xbox Live is one I have been wanting for a long time and so are 14, 25, 30, 33, and 36.

Under Games 1, 2, and 5 sound really nice.

Under Dashboard/Miscellaneous items 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, and of course 12. That last one is huge for those of use who have gone through a couple of consoles. Especially for me since I am thinking about selling my Premium and getting an Elite since I could probably get enough for my Premium from a friend to make the price difference between the stand-alone 120 gig HDD and the Elite negligible.

RykinPoe

I really wish they'd add the option to force mp3 (or any) audio being played to 5.1 instead of being stuck on 2.0 (stereo) like it always is. I'm not even referring to it transcoding, I just want it to output music to all speakers. One of the most annoying things for me and the sole reason I still have my original (modded) x-box still on the entertainment center (well that and emulators :) ).

I realize some receivers can force audio to all speakers, but mine can't since it's coming through the optical connection.

terminalraptor

That's actually one impressive list imo. I would love to have quite a few of those features including 4-person private chat (sorely needed) and the ability to listen / view picture / voice messages on Xbox.com.

fourzerotwo

@SG79: They still will develop games the same way they are now.... but please tell me how the ability to cache textures on a hard drive to improve loading times on games won't be a perk for developers.

Imagine Mass Effect, GTA4, or any other game with less pop in and faster loading.

Arttemis

I'm probably alone (ok, maybe not alone, but in the minority) in not wanting installs.

It is a Pandora's Box and the start of a slippery slope towards mandatory installs and a more PC-like gaming environment -- an environment I thought I had finally left behind.

I'd much rather they had just scrapped the stupid Arcade SKU so that developers could be assured of a HD for caching purposes. =/

BigWeather

@TonyRockyHorror:

well you dont have to, its not forced. That's once nice thing about choices.

Dakobah

what's "fudding myself stupid" mean? Slang for masturbation?

GiantEnemyCrab

@Erwin: Tee hee.

Michael McWhertor

@skullivan:
Well, Sony is better at hardware feature sets, even if reliability was an issue with the PS2. PS3 and PSP seem to be a lot better though. Neither of mine has given me any trouble so far. My original 360 died on me the week I bought it. =/

Either way, if the two ever teamed up, MS should stick to software, since that's what they're good at. We can agree there, yes?

Archaotic

bugger to game installs until the priced of the hard drives comes down, A LOT. no way would i install games on the 20 gig drive, and there's no way i'm paying the extortion money for the 120.

TonyRockyHorror

People have to remember that Live! is forever changing and new features are always in the works right after an update is released. So just as Sony catches up Live! upgrades and takes the lead in features again. I'll take these features over any 2nd Life social network.

JorgieX

@Archaotic:

Only Sony's no master when it comes to hardware either. The PS2 is up there with the 360 and original NES in the trifect of most unreliable systems ever.

I'm still not convinced PS3's aren't going to start crapping out en masse after a couple years too. The PS2 was fine for its first couple years and then the things started dying left and right. Microsoft at least tried to make amends, Sony still denies there was any problem.

skullivan

I don't care to read the rest. As soon I I read things for child accounts, I didn't need to read any more. I'm almost 17 and I'll be stuck with a child account for life if they don't fix this! And even then, before the fall update, I could AT LEAST download trailers for games rated RP. Now I have to sign in on my "fake" account to download stuff.

Xander

As a gay gamer, I (and my "friends") will love the new group video chat !!! (hopefully, it's true)

YesILikeGuys

If the install bit is true, it still wouldn't be a perk to developers since they still need to address those pesky "arcade" units.

Too late to ditch that SKU.

SG79

Just buy a PS3.

Knight-Zero

Jeff Paine: "Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

I just want to get rid of all the demos I downloaded.

/ok, I fess up, I don't want anyone to know I played Yaris.

lordargent

@jfx316: Hi, it's nice to e-meet you. Can I ask why so angry in a message about a topic that's bringing improvements to something? Has somebody wronged you? I didn't think so. Microsoft is just bringing in new ideas, it's not like it's scrapping old ones so you most likely will not be very affected by the motion control implementation if it happens.

sevendash

@meltyman: they will never support mkv and neither will sony. just use Encode360 and encode it to wmvhd. It takes like 45 min per hour of content.

parad0x360

I also forgot to mention the game installs.

Microsoft made it clear that only MMO games could have HDD installs (mandatory OR optional).

Although it's possible that this list is referring to such installations, I'd say it adds further weight to this list being fake.

Contra666

@StealthMaster86: Or...you know, like a PC that does game installs, since 90% of people who use PC's use Windows, so MS knows people use HD installs.

Sony and "motion sensing" don't go well together. The Sixaxis was a lame half assed attempt at copying the Wii. So Sonyboy, the 360 would be copying the Wii than.

These updates are great (if true). I want motion sensing already. I don't own a Wii and if I can get kind of a free one through this than I'm all for it.

kylo4

"Media 4. Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices."

FINALLY. I get sick of having my USB stick-o-music hanging out of the xbox like a vile growth.

Dr Terror

Great update!

Ollivander

A lot of these things, including group chat are technically impossible.

Due to the bandwidth allocation for Xbox LIVE, you can only have one open chat channel at a time.

Changing that would require raising the bandwidth requirements for Xbox LIVE - shutting out many users and potentially whole countries.

There was a list for the 2007 fall update that turned out to be totally wrong, I think the same is probably going to happen here.

Contra666

Trixie is what?
Best photoshop ever!
...It is a photoshop, right?

Erwin

Wow, interesting. My respect for MS just went up a few notches. They don't disdain my money after all! Gears 2 already got me sold guys, but I can't refuse this either ;)

slomo788

@jfx316:

no i think it will continue, untill PS3 turns the word mandatory into optional install i think it will still be around.

Dakobah

@StealthMaster86: yes...yes, that's what it means :) The PS3 wanting to go online in the first place would mean that it wanted to be like the 360? I don't think it's good logic your practicing. I just hope this is an option as far as hard drive installations are concerned.

* DISCLAIMER *
If it's true.

okenny :)

If this ISN'T the official list, it should be! ;)

There are some nice changes here, although the installs are scary-- on a 20GB hard drive, how long will that last? Hopefully they don't start assuming everyone has an Elite.

Justin42

"5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat."

Hallelujah. That's pretty much all I expected out of this update. Anything else is just gravy.

Other cool features:
- Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.

- Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.

Lame:

- Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from Memory.

How about fixing the crappy DRM so people don't have to deal with stuff not working offline because their system RROD'd?

skullivan

That picture is fucking golden, Mike!

Fadakar

I'm hoping for original Xbox game achievements. That's my massive reach for fall. Seriously, that would make a major boost in those games and sales. If you play an original Xbox game right now it does list the title on your played games with "0 of 0 achievements."

:)

Godzilla-Sushi

All indulge myself for a moment and pretend this list is real and say this:

* Gifting points could be the a precursor to community gaming sales

* Copying certain files to proprietary storage could be seen as a way to pull user created content into the 360

* Audio Podcast... Video next (probably not D: )?

okenny :)

@Arttemis:

I didn't think I needed to explain that one further. The install option won't wipe out all those core units out there, which was the problem to begin with. Developers will still need to write base codes without a HDD in mind.

The install option will benefit loading times if true, optionally. We saw this last gen with VF4 (JPN) and Capcom's RE Outbreak games.

SG79

@Komrade_Kayce: Sony is not doing shit. Sony gave an option to devs. THEY are deciding. UT3 is a great example of that. And I don't even see what the fuss is about, except unnecessary bashing. Optional or not, installs are ALWAYS welcome on my PS3 if they mean better performance. After I beat the game I just delete it that's it.

slomo788

I like the idea of having installs, as long as they're optional. That way the games I played the most I could load faster.

kojirodensetsu

Woooo! Copy music, vidoes, pictures from USB? That's pretty cute.

Inhert

this would be a huge update if true. a ton of cool little features thrown in there.

hope it's true

DesmondHume

Love the Extras quote. :)

sascha23

@nine07: You answered your own question. The key's "optional".

Luke Plunkett

@VakeroRokero, nine07: I believe people are upset with the mandatory installs, not optional.

Personally, every game I own (PS3 and 360) will be installed if possible no matter how small the gained advantage.

Arttemis

@nine07:

Sony is not doing it optionally. Sony is doing mandatory installs.

Its MS that is allowing the optional installs. That is the issue people are taking here.

I have had a 20gb 360 since September of last year. Its down to 1.7gb right now. Luckily, because the installs aren't mandatory, I can still play games with ease.

If I had a 20gb PS3, I would be running into some serious issues right about now. Yes yes, I could swap that 20 out for a 500, and thats one of the appealing things about the PS3, but Im just sayin...

Komrade_Kayce

@nine07:
The PS3 vs. 360 double standard rears its ugly head yet again.

Either that, or people are thinking this means they'll be able to install ANY game to their hard drive and play it freely without putting the disc in. Which is foolish, as it basically invites people buying or renting games, copying them, and then returning them. AKA it won't happen.

So I don't really know what it is, but I'm betting on the double standard.

Archaotic

@VakeroRokero:

I don't get it either. Everyone rips Sony for devs not creationg optional installs, but look forward to MS allowing installs?

nine07

"5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.

14. Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.

33. Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).

5. Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access."

All of the above = win.

@ Contra666

So how do the games work when you can talk to entire 8player teams? 4 person private chat cant be THAT difficult.

CanaryWundaboy

@Contra666:

How do you figure group chat is technically impossible?

I think if 18 people can chat with each other in a lobby in COD4 then they can manage to create a private chat option for 4 people.

Also, as far as installation goes, just because Microsoft didn't want installs once upon a time, it doesn't mean they can't change their stance.

They also never allowed expansion packs but Oblivion's Shivering Isles expansion is sold as a standalone disc at retail and, incidentally, requires installation to the HDD.

The list could very well be fake, but not for those reasons, which I would say are both inevitable whether they arrive now or in a future update.

skullivan

That would be an amazing update. I... want it...

Americo

Is it me or is the 360 slowly transforming into a PS3?, I bet the BD drive will come out next...

otarumx

@sevendash: nice to meet you, which is weird to say because it meeting someone on the internet. which sounds odd now that i've read that after i wrote. nevermind.

the "casual" gamer deal bugs me because the only thing i see happening is developers seeing the games that i like being "toned down" to appeal to jonny's mom that. all of a sudden heard about this wii thing on good morning america and her sewing circle and it's just the cutest thing she's ever bought. it's the way business works; something is selling, if you didn't make it, make your own version of it and make some of that crazy money. less oblivion, more wii play ripoffs.

sorry, just woke up after trying to beat a migraine and i'm cranky....

and BTW, i don't mind installs. GTA4 has got me convinced that this is a really good thing. optional would be ok, i guess for people that are dying quickly and can't take a few minuets from their game to have it run better.

jfx316

@okenny :): True. It's also filled with arrogance from you and illogical bashing the next generation from others after, at least for a while...

slomo788

@Komrade_Kayce: Then devs wouldn't have the advantage of the space. Seriously it's a minimal price for the benefits you get in terms of games (look at MGS4). Besides, BD turns out to also be the next gen movie medium so it's still good. I don't know if BD will make games as superior as Sony touted it to be, but so far, it's more a pleasure than a pain. On par/ better game quality + possibly more advanced games + HD movies > mandatory installs.

slomo788

That's an outstanding update. Let's hope it's true!

Wolfers

*...yes, that's right... rode

*cries*

okenny :)

@slomo788: He meant down the rode of success... it's a horrible road filled with whores and other delicious things :(

okenny :)

@slomo788:

It IS Sony's fault. The Blu Ray drive only spins at 2x.

Its created a catch 22. If a dev puts out a game on a DVD for the PS3, then they are touted as not using the hardware and get lambasted by the community.

If they put it on Blu Ray, then suddenly they have to deal with a slow ass drive.

Sure, there are ways of trickery around this, but if Sony had just out and out told devs that they can go ahead and use the DVD format for games until they can figure out the tricks to getting around the 2x limitation, there wouldn't be an issue.

Its really screwed up when you think about it. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.

Komrade_Kayce

@marmidukestank: Which one? I think everything here is pretty solid. Or do you mean the motion sensing technology? It was only a matter of time. What matters is how it's implemented. If you don't like it, just ignore it and it won't hurt you, I promise ;)

slomo788

Sweet! Still would like to be able to view next achievement in the guide by pressing bumper instead of backing out and selecting the next achievement.

parasiteartist

I wonder what this option to purchase meberships for charities is all about. Would this be something like helping children's charities by enabling sick kids to get on Live for free? Maybe providing Live accounts for hospitals?

Sounds like a nice, interesing idea and perhaps another chance for gamers to show the world that something good can come out of this hobby of ours.

It would also be an acknowledgement of the value of gaming in taking you outside of real life, even if only barely and for just a little while, maybe even doing something for the idea of gaming as therapeutic.

Maybe they'll even thrown in some Live points with that tax deduction.

SuperOmelet

Microsoft, I warn you. Do not go down this road.

marmidukestank

@CCCombobreaker: Which is why optional installs are good... because you don't have to worry about them. They're optional. If you don't want to, you don't have to go through with them.

Arttemis

@SG79: Which is exactly my point. The games will be developed the same way (illogically with arcade models in mind), but at least developers will be able to create a slightly more presentable and logical program when they have access to HDD caching/installs for those that choose to utilize it.
That's my stance from the previous post.

Microsoft is their own worst enemy in this regard. It's absolutely retarded that their flagship console has to be developed for without hard drive use in mind.
Lowering the price of their poorly designed proprietary drive, coinciding with an advertising campaign to reach those who don't have one, while dropping this mindless anti-hard drive development rule would be a logical and profitable way for them to increase the performance of their games AND make loads of money from the people purchasing the drives.

Arttemis

@slomo788: Damn. ** Sony never said they HAVE to be mandatory.

slomo788

This list reads like a fanboy's wet dream. There is NO WAY this is real.

Sinnix

@skullivan: 1) Sony never said installs HAVE to be optional. Granted they give devs more freedom than MS, Capcom's decisions can't be tagged to Sony.

2) Like every change, hardware changes are results of trade-offs. BD offers immense storage capacity but has a lower reading speed. That's a fact. Sony could have just fuck it and kept it that way, but they also opened the HDD for installs to conter this problem. If it means I have to wait 20 minutes (yes, I know, you can't find anything to do during 20 minutes and they feel like 20 years but whatever) to have the same reading speed as the faster 360 DVD drive, then by all means devs, do it! I'd rather having to wait that and enjoy my game than swearing every 5 mns for long ass loading times (it was noticeably better for DMC4 on PS3 btw, and definitely better for GTA4). So on PS3, you get both good reading speed and lots of space for a relatively small wait before playing. Compare a 20 mns install to months of delay and you'll get what I'm saying.

3) Again, Sony does not make it mandatory. UT3 lets you decide if you want it and I'm positive you can decide to what extent.

slomo788

@Luke Plunkett:

Major, yes. Good? no. Game installations shouldn't be something to worry about with a game console.

I hate this console generation sometimes...

CCCombobreaker

I hope this list is true! So many good features that I have been wanting for a long time.

AUAnonymous

I would like to have the ability to be seen offline by some of my friends and to some do so that my brother's friends do not keep inviting me.

PogiJet

Games
1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

This alone is enough for me. I'm sick of having various Arcade games plaguing my gamercard when I only played the demos for most. It makes me look like I own three times as many games. There are plenty of great updates in here, but this takes the cake.

Xenigma

Despite the dubious MS dismissal, this list had me at "Group Chat".

Some seriously stellar updates to be sure.

chimlee

@skullivan:

Woah, hold on, it's never mandatory on the PS3. Some games, yes, but most going back as far as launch have always had optional installs.

We even saw a first party game like Uncharted void of any installation options.

SG79

Yes! Group chat = Good.

AUAnonymous

@SG79:

* without a HDD in mind, otherwise there might be performance differences where installing a game improves pop-in issues etc.

SG79

@nine07:

Where's the contradiction? This list only says that installs will be possible, not that games are going to start having mandatory installs.

Microsoft needs to keep their options open on a game by game basis.

In the case of DMC4, installs became a joke because the game needed a 20 minute install on PS3 just to have load times that were essentially the same as the 360 reading right off the DVD. That's why it was mandatory. Having the option of installation would've been pointless on 360 though because you wouldn't even notice a difference.

In the case of GTAIV though, the 360 version could've benefited from an optional install of the data that was a mandatory install on PS3. The PS3 version had less pop-in and noticeably shorter load times because of it. I would've gladly allowed the 7 minute install of GTAIV to make the game run better. In that case, installation was a feature that the 360 version was lacking rather than a feature that was unnecessary.

I look forward to the *option* of installation. With PS3 it's mandatory, with 360 it's forbidden. This would be a middle ground.

skullivan

@otarumx: It's you.

The 360 is above and beyond the PS3 in so many aspects besides the Blu-Ray player, which is the only + it really has.

I Spit On Your Comments

@slomo788:

We're not talking about the Sony side. We're talking about installs on the 360 side.

I own a PS3, I'm not opposed to installs in any way, but the fact is that regardless of what Sony allows, many of them ARE mandatory.

I totally agree that a 20 minute install beats the hell out of slow load times. I'd install a game given the option every single time.

I also happen to own a 360 though and I haven't had a reason to play any multiplatform games on the PS3 yet so I haven't had to experience mandatory installs. I'm sure I will soon enough though (if MGS4 requires an install) and I won't have a problem with it even if it takes half an hour.

As for DMC4, I played it on 360 but from anything I've ever read, 4 second load times on 360 were like 3 seconds on PS3. That's hardly noticeable.

GTAIV's IS noticeable and that's why I was upset that the 360 version didn't have an install option.

@SG79:

So it's never mandatory, except for when it *is* mandatory is what you're saying?

I wasn't criticizing mandatory installs on PS3, I was pointing out that there's a difference between not wanting mandatory installs and wanting optional installs.

I don't hold any particular allegiance to either console, which is why I own both.

skullivan

"We don't comment on rumors or speculation, but what we can tell you is we've never seen this list before."

I'm going to believe them, I don't think they would have said the second part if there was any truth to this list.

They are probably just trying to stop people from getting their hopes up, only to be dissapointed when a feature on that list isn't implemented.

dnzperson

@Komrade_Kayce:

There are fundamental differences between BD and DVD drives. BD is CLV (Constant Linear Velocity), and DVD is CAV (Constant Angular Velocity). (have a look at the explanation in detail [www.gamespot.com]

Because of that, you cannot use the same loading algorithm on both disc types. That's what Capcom did, hence the mandatory installs.

SG79

@Albanian_Killa: Goood job at missing the differnce between "optional" and "mandatory". You and Vakero are a smart bunch there. Also, Albanian, read other comments before you post. This was dealt with on the first page by not only other commentors, but Luke Plunkett himself. Hot damn!

I_Hate_This_Place

"31. Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits)."

Does that benefit include M$ making profits off a charitable donation? I cannot (well, I could not) believe M$ would sink that low.

herfy

@I Spit On Your Comments:

Oh please ... had the 360 for 2 years, and just purchased the PS3.

I fail to see the "above and beyond" ... hell I think the PS3 interface and features feel more "mature", but I guess that would be "just me" as well.

EnigmaNemesis

Let's hope at least some of those things are true, especially the one thing about deleting updates. It sucks to delete all you patches just to dupe some items in Oblivion...

Al Bino

Happy for 14 from Live, 1 from Media, and might I add, what took so long for those 2?

NiGHTSSTUDiO

@VakeroRokero: I know! If the PS3 has it, it's horrible. What were you thinking Sony. If the 360 has it, you say "It's about time, thank you Microsoft!"

Yeah, stupid bull shit. We heard the whole internet bitching at Sony about motion sensoring and HDD installs. Now that it's all calmed down, MS comes in and introduces them and somehow everyone accepts it. It boggles my mind how messed up things are. Heh, whatever, seems like a pretty feature-rich update. Enjoy I guess.

Albanian_Killa

11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

They better carry through on this, considering the issues I've had with this.

30. Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.

This is cool, since it lets you consolidate leftover points I hope.

1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

This is also sorely needed to get rid of all those Live game trials that should never have shown up in your gamertag in the first place.

I'm all for the game installs, as they seem finally get the fact that HDs are a good thing, though they still need to tell people how or make a kit for adding your own HD to the system.

Chef

"11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag."

Jesus, thank you for this, I just had to use my CC to buy Discs of Tron when I was drunk one night and now my friends have my card number all the time...

supercrap

16:10 support please.

dinosaur

@skullivan: Well then, just buy multi-plats on the 360. At this point there so many pluses and minuses on both sides that this specifically is close to a moot point. Some games are technically better on one than on the other, PS3 has free play online, you might have more friends on XBL... My point is, even for a multi-plat owner, I fail to see how an install disgusts you from buying the game on PS3, especially if it means better performance. I've never heard anyone say "I'll buy Bioshock on 360 because of the PC install." GTA4, because of the DLC, the mandatory custom soundtrack and the more solid online would be better on 360 than PS3 though. But again, I can't see the importance of the absence of installs, especially since it means better overall performance (graphics + loading times) on PS3.

slomo788

Very nice, especially the group chat thing, I hope this turns out to be true.

Xanto5824

1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

Can't wait to get all those damn XBLA trial games off my list.

SLiFE

PS if mass effect can get updated for optional content install, that'd be awesome.

TheIrishNinja

some looks interesting.
anyone else looking for "clan support" that id heard of before?

TheIrishNinja

@skullivan:

A mixup. I thought you suggested that SCEI actually requires software to have mandatory installs, which isn't the case.

It's entirely up to developers, which as we can see is a blessing in disguise.

SG79

I would love to see Microsoft Release a product better than the wii-mote.

Competition is the only thing that will force technology to improve.

I_fit_in

@skullivan: 12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.

if they can do it for free items, hopefully the drm arcade games and add ons will be solved soon.

NinetySeven97

was skimming through the list when i got to #4 under media.

........fake

TMM

Nice doctored screenshot McWhertor. "Fuddling?" I don't even know what that means!

trixie360

Extra's references make everything better.

TheRedBayonet

I doubt it's genuine. It seems too good to be true. And seriously, fellas, what's up with the lack of 16:10 support? I know it's not a high priority, but it's been YEARS! Please!

wild homes

Actually the installing game thing would be an alright idea for me, especially since I am worried for my disc drives health and I want to play my games a bit more before sending the xbox away.

I will probably have to pay for it too.. This option better come soon.

flukielukie

oh please please add support for video podcasts!! I never watch any as it's just not convenient to watch on my laptop. If I could plop down on my couch, fire up the 360 and watch some web video I'd be so happy!

grifta67

not that anyone will read this.... but....

N
O

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

H
E
R
E

Blinklink11

I'm sorry guys but never ever believe list likes these to be real. Most the time its just a fan boy mock up of features they'd like to see and then they try and pass it off as real.

Tiberian

@I Spit On Your Comments:

Above and beyond?!!! Really?!!! How? Games?, a lot of them are on PS3 and PC too, exclusives? I rather have the PS3 ones, online? Given the head start PSN is slowly but surely going to catch up. And let's not comment on the hardware side because that is just being unfair to the 360.

True, the 360 has a lot of advantages over the PS3 right now, mainly in the online and store departments but jumping from that to "above and beyond" is stretching it a bit.

And just to set your little heart on fire a bit: Wait for MGS4 ^_^

otarumx

Great, they still didn't fix the damn Child Account thing. Obviously Microsoft still thinks you should be 18 to download M rated things rather than 17... At least now you won't have a child account if you're over 18...

Samos42

That list looks legit to me. Unless the guy got a real leaked list and just added some gags to it. Some of those fixes sound too random to have been made up. Its for real.

cybereality

This sucks! Are they ever going to deal with BC with the XBOX? If they allowed Barbie Horse Adventure on the list they should also allow DOAX, and GunValkyrie.

Sailorcancer

@karasu is my homeboy: It's all these little things that have me, and I'm sure the other Live gamers, excited. Screw motion control.

It's all those little things that almost assure that this list is bullshit.

KaneRobot

11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

FUCKING FINALLY. This should have been in place day one.

Also, no use expanding on Inside Xbox when there is no Inside Xbox in Australia (and other regions) anyway :(

Passa

Group chat. Brings a tear to my eye.

Aglet

This update is awesome sounding. Let it please be true..

But I suspect it's not.. :-(

RagingAvatar

Even though they say they have never seen the list before, I still wouldnt mind betting that most if not all of the features listed should be on the update. Group chat seems to be my favourite out of the lot of them and being able to delete games with 0 gamerscore on them a close second because the amount of games my friends have brought round is astonishing.

Dean T 08

i hope the install would be an option and not mandatory, if this is true of course. A few of those get me pretty excited as well, especially group chat.

if_deez

@Komrade_Kayce:

Ah, a SATA HDD is faster than any optical media used on any console by far. Please educate yourself instead of spouting bullshit on the Internet. In fact if it was possible to use the HDD the on the 360 the same as the PS3 we would. Why wouldn't you want better asset streaming and more assets? You prefer watching load screens and all the characters use the same mesh and textures?

Also the bandwidth of BD is often on par or better than DVD9 dual layer as used in game consoles with SPU decompression tasks. So you have no point at all. :(

Mongoosekun

You know I never learn how to activate those text boxes like they show in the OP image.

ZenGaijin

sounds to me like it's a wishlist compiled by an optimist.
then again, i'm quite the pessimist.

xbulletholes

Looks impressive if it's the real thing. The only thing missing up there that I had hoped for was clan tags.

Eon.

Please let me be able to delete my card details! Having to try and deal with customer services (which still haven't deleted it!) makes me sad...

TyrannosaurusRox

Finally, I can get rid of those two demos I tried when I first got my 360 years ago. This looks to be a very good upgrade. I can't wait for it to come out. Looks like I finally have a reason to go out and get the 120 gb hard drive now. The potential to have games loaded to the hard drive sounds awesome.

Darkenigma75

the ability to delete the arcade demos that I installed ages ago and with it the 0 points I have made me happy

Gaz

11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

This is good. My friend used his mum's card on my Gamertag (so we could Live while I was round his) and I think it's taking £5 a month from her D:

Ryumeka

There's no way this is real. This list fixes pretty much every issue and feature request out there.

Sorry but it's just too good to be true.

nunofgs

@VakeroRokero:

There's a difference between Mandatory and Optional. No one likes being forced to install something on a console.

360 = Optional
PS3 = Mandatory

B-Tizo

If this is true, it really rounds up the LIVE package on 360! Let's cross our fingers that the list is real!

Starsky

Like I want my friends seeing what vids I'm watching... >_<

Hopanoe

The features in this rumored update sound pretty sweet. There are even some little features that people haven't noticed in that list that will prove very useful. All in all, if true, this would probably be the biggest update in terms of features and making things more convenient.

However, I'm gonna call "bogus" on this. Given MS' track record with previous dash updates (they were not nearly this, i hate the word, but "robust"), this just sounds too good to be true. It sounds like a wish list, in fact.

AryzonaBay

If this is true let's give our best wishes to Microsoft's PRs that will now have to explain the customers that bought an Arcade Xbox and that they were promised that hard disk would have never been used for games, that now their console is a gimped one.

Same thing they'll have to explain to the ones that have a Pro SKU, and that were always led to believe that 20 gigs of hard disk were more than enough.

Abriael

@KaneRobot: Let us dream!

karasu is my homeboy

These lists usually come out ahead of time and they are hit and miss.I would say probably 60-70% is probably right.
There are some great features no doubt.

enewtabie

@nunofgs: I don't see anything on there that is improbable. It's not like the list claims the ability to use USB connected drives for storage of DRM content. There is also a lot of items on there that very few people, if any care about. i.e. "word censor update for fields"
@enewtabie: As I recall, the leaked info for the Fall '07 update was 100% correct.

aka Bitter

11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

THANK YOU! Finally they resolve this issue.

Mr.Waffleton

12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.

This is why I think its fake. Its the only thing I've wanted. It's never going to happen becuase MS likes that some people will cave and buy the same content twice just to fix it.

BaronVonCrogs

Just fix DRM and I will be happy. Oh deleting games with 0 achievements is nice too. Have tons of those from the dam OXM demos.

mikecoscia

Looks like a solid update, I can't wait.

PAULINK

How about multichannel audio support for H.264 video? Or MKV support? Or lifting the 4GB cap for video in any format other than WMV?

A speedier in-game guide would be nice too.

misterblendy

"11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag."

Holy CRAP another "about time" feature.

TRT-X

6. Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).

I'm glad it doesn't do this for DVD's. The woman's been netflixing Gilmore Girls and I don't want that showing up on my gamertag.

RadicalAns

"Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title)."

Thank GOD! I've had a few "games" sitting on my GamerCard for the last 6 months or so because for whatever reason a DEMO decided to add them in.

TRT-X

"New payment methods for international users."

If this is true and includes Maestro, I might purchase my first ever XBLA game since buying the machine on launch day.

Taking 2-3 years to add it still an absolute joke though.

CivilD

#1 on the Xbox LIVE list seems true to me. Whenever I boot my 360 now, it doesn't automatically sign me in to LIVE. I sent my console in for repair about a month ago and got it back a week and a half ago. Maybe this list isn't all rumors?

Blake Ruff

Wow! The evolution of Xbox LIVE is incredible.

crusadernm

12. New payment methods for international users.

Interesting. I live miles from anywhere in the UK and refuse to use banks.

Red_Breast

This list is a dream come true (if it's true, of course).

Herbal23

@Red_Breast

I'd imagine they just mean supporting localised Credit/Debit cards like Maestro.

Other than buying a code in a store, I can't see how else you'd be able to buy them.

Contra666

On private chat:

Xbox LIVE reserves enough bandwidth for one chat channel to be open at a time. That works fine for a single chat or for a game because everyone's in that one channel.

For group chat to work across multiple games/other features (like during a DVD) you'd need multiple channels to cater for everyone involved. Sure some connections could handle it, but it's a mess having to explain to some people why they can't do chat.

On Installations:

Microsoft decided this roughly a year ago. They said that only MMO games could use HDD installations AND that they strongly discouraged it because it would just result in developers losing customers.

I can't see them backing down on that now, particularly with the 20GB HDD remaining as standard so far and their desire for people to use such space for other things (Movie Rentals, TV shows, game content).

Plus everyone is forgetting that ALL games have access to a pretty large cache without any impact on the user's space.

Throw in the use of DVD and most of the benefits of a HDD install go away.

Contra666

Optional installs sound good - buy a game, play it, let it install overnight, and then get faster load times at basically no time cost. Bonus points for giving me an "install and then turn off my console" option.

That said, I doubt this list is true. Too good to be true.

Erwos

I read through the whole list and it sounds fine. Nothing excites me all that much about it, except maybe podcasts.

I will still scream about the only feature I REALLY want, and that is fast forward/rewind through audio files. WHY CAN THE 360 NOT DO THIS?!?

megahurtz

I really do hope this turns out to be the real list. "Big" stuff like the motion sensing bits aside, it's a very nice list of refinements and polish to many of the existing aspects of the service and the dashboard.

Jernau

14. Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!

A Pimp Named DaveR

Fudding, v., meaning "to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt".

Yup, Trixie's fudding, all right. I'm pretty sure she does that for a living; that and break glasses with her voice for TDK adverts.

gblock

That photoshop is hilarious. Could only be funnier (perhaps) if you'd used "smurfing" instead.

What's "Extra's"?

@okenny :): Nice one. I hope nobody road you too hard about that comment.

T