Spring 360 update adds more "integration and innovation"

Microsoft's Larry Hryb details next Xbox 360 system update.

The update details comes in the Major's latest podcast (posted earlier), in which the MS blogger says unlike PlayStation Home the Xbox 360 interface will always have games integrated into the experience.

[Sphinx]

I'm always interested in seeing what the different companies and consoles come up with!

[BrotherSic]

CVG ask whether MS will counter with a similar product to Home but i dont think there is any chance of this.

Home is unproven, if they ever decide to 'copy' then they will wait until they know people actually want and willing use Home.

1UP has been hinting for ages that MS are going to move to dedicated servers so this might be announced. This would tie in more with the quote:

"The new stuff we're bringing in Spring adds more functionality and integration,"

[T-Virus]

are the best thing MS could do, funny if Halo 3 BETA was testing dedicated servers.

[OldSchoolGamer]

To go the PC/Xbox 360 interplay route would almost (not as a certainty though) require dedicated servers. Regardless of the crap they have spewed before about the huge cost of dedicated servers and the broadband costs associated with it, there is no denying that additional revenue from all the content, and the yearly fee for live only makes sense in switching to dedicated servers. This would also make terrific sense in that you would allow games to possibly go beyond that 16 player standard that all but maybe 2-3 games are limited to. You would see no benefit to standyby in ranked multiplayer games as it currently happens in a couple games (Halo 2, and Gears of War occasionally off the top of my head). This would elminate the desire to cheat through modding as well. The only thing that would be a draw back would be a Denial of Service attacks, but if Microsoft can't fight back, what company has a shot?

The line of thought are too many benefits and elimination of a possible bad experience for Halo 3 online (which Microsoft cannot afford, you want to see a fast PS3 victory? that would do it) if users still remain as hosts. This would mean a major online code rewrite, and I still am not sure if it will be their annoucement since they said games would be the focus, guess we will have to wait and see but your thought sure makes sense, although it just may be my wishful thinking.

[BrotherSic]

i think you could be right with testing the dedicated servers with the Halo 3 beta.

I think it will be similar to most PC games which have maybe 10 dedicated servers playing set games and then you will be able to create your own games through peer to peer. Luke Smith on 1UP is certain it is happening so it will eventually

slightly un-game related but maybe they will add video marketplace to Europe and Japan? something that i would be very interested in :)

[Icryo]

All sounds well, i just don't want to hear those 'updates bricked my 360' stories again...

[DrKing]

private chat would be a huge plus for me lets ditch this whole 64/64 bandwith crap. i want at least multiparty dashboard chat

[Maddens Raiders]

...sounds like rumour more than anything at this time, but no doubt MS is working to counter Home right now. The question is what? exactly will they counter with?
Another thing.....

-- "unlike PlayStation Home the Xbox 360 interface will always have games integrated into the experience."

....Well games will also be at the heart of PS HOME since they are part of the current PSN download process and the 'decorating' aspect of the virtual world. What would stop you from seeing where you're friends are or joining them in a game since this is what's currently available now. Would it not be even better with Home? And Home will offer a social meeting place with various types of interfacing and user interaction that will make it a truly unique online experience in a virtual 'PS' world. Now there's no also no doubting that Live's integration and functionality is much smoother than the PSN right now, (and the features that SNE offers MS will too -- that's just good business) but I'm sure things will change.

One thing is for sure: People wondered for years how SNE would counter the uber-success of MSLive. Now it is clear that not only has SNE, observed, learned, and adopted -- but they've wholly changed the concept of a world from a gamer's perspective.......

--"Will MS follow in Sony's lead adding more "virtual world"-style interface features? " --

....and made it the envy of the industry, overnight mind you. Well, on paper at least.lol (and still at no charge) Nevertheless, this will be a fun contest to watch unfold of course between these two. Great, great news for gamers in the end though. =]

[Dusk]

First, I applaud Sony for doing something for the PS3 not related to bluray. However, it's still just a concept. In no way is it the 'envy of the industry'. It hasn't been implemented, tested, or even remotely finished yet. It's coming from a company that is the king of promising things that never come true. MS would be foolish to copy anything from the Home concept at this point. Every gamer I talk to and play with (which admittedly is a very small sliver of the actual gaming comunity) has absolutely no interest in 'Second Life' for the PS3. I'm not saying Sony can't pull it off and turn it into something worthwhile, I'm just saying it's WAY too early to tell anything. Will Sony, a hardware company, be able to even live up to its claims when they rarely do? Especially with it being free, as free stuff is almost always of lower quality. Will people, besides fanboys, be even remotely interested in this when the real goal of a 'Game' system is the game playing?

[Grown Folks Talk]

until they had some specific information to give out. probably start prep for iptv and the directv partnership. maybe 4 person video chat, multiple voice chat, and more camera integration. guess we'll have to wait and see.

[_insane_cobra]

"One thing is for sure: People wondered for years how SNE would counter the uber-success of MSLive. Now it is clear that not only has SNE, observed, learned, and adopted -- but they've wholly changed the concept of a world from a gamer's perspective......."

Big words, but it remains to be seen whether that'll be the case. Imagine you throw a fabulous party and no one shows up.

[Rasputin2011]

Lets just wait and see.

Funky Town_TX- LOL I do agree with you regarding your comment...but the point I was trying to make is that Regarding the Success of "HOME" and if MS will try and "one up it" is that us gamers should just do what we do(and thats game) and wait and see what goes on.

[Funky Town_TX]

Just wait utill e3-06, Just wait untill TGs-06, Just wait untill fall 06, Just wait untill home comes out. While I wait I will be gaming on the 360. I hope Sony finally gives what they promise. I will get a PS3 if that is the case. There has just been so many broken promises. Now I must play the wait and see game.

GAME: WAIT AND SEE
PUBLISHER: SONY
DEV: SONY
RELEASE: FALL 2010
PRICE: $600

[OC_MurphysLaw]

You are on the money about the wait and see part. Sony sure does like to make a lot of big promises well in advance of actual launch of said promises. I know they do this as a business practice...makes sense I guess. Promise a ton to hold the consumer at bay with dollars until you can get them to buy yours and not the competitor. Sony has delivered on some ....to a degree...but many promises still seem left as promises.

Home ...while it might be a great social platform, hardly seems like a great premise for a gaming lobby. It just seems to be a tad tedious from what I have seen to be quick and easy to use. And there still is that problem of a lack of a unified system so even when your friends are on playing games you may or may not see them in those games due to how things are structured. Hence....its not a good system for a game lobby.

I am hopeful that MS is moving towards two items.... 1) Multi chat...I think this is a must have. 2) Dedicated servers... I think with the pricing issue becoming more of an issue...and Windows LIVE launching...LIVE gamers are going to want more garauntee's of lag free service than before. I just don't think Windows LIVE can live on its own with out dedicated server support.

[power of Green]

You do realize Spring and Fall updates have nothing to do with HOME". Updates are not meant to compete with other consoles but to improve a work in progress service for future console's and the 360. lol GET that Home talk out of here I don't own any SIMS i sure in the hell dont need to hear about Home every day.

[nicodemus]

We already know what Microsoft is planning -- IPTV for the 360! (And I believe it was announced well before Home)

The two companies are going in completely different directions. PS3 will have Home, and 360 will have IPTV. Personally, I prefer the idea of watching HDTV through my console, as opposed to walking around in a virtual community, but it's all about choice.

I don't think the 360 needs to counter with any version of "Home." Just read about IPTV. It will be awesome.

[zonetrooper5]

Well MS i think are bringing out DirectTV and IPTV this year i think or is it all one service?

I reckon they will fix many bugs and add alot more stuff, they will also do alot more stuff which we don't know about right now.

[Says you]

XBox Live is that it gets boring really quick cause I know
you have to buy all these worthless gamer points to just download
there retarded crap and this is suppose to be a game console lol I
don't think so XBox 360 is any thing but a game console by wasting
your money online and buying gamer points that are meaningless to games
in real life.

[BIadestarX]

I am not going to try to explain the benefits of doing this, since you wouldnt understand. But, is this the best you could come up with against xbox live? What are you 7 years old?

[Boink]

what is the big difference between that and just entering in your credit card info like sony?

that is the dumbest complaint i've heard.

[silent ninja]

i hope the new update allows xbox 360 to play different codecs and not just wmv

[Ps3Fanboy777]

Im sure you can add things here and there but it will be interesting to see what they add.

[SDS Overfiend]

"XBox Live is that it gets boring really quick cause I know
you have to buy all these worthless gamer points to just download
there retarded crap and this is suppose to be a game console lol I
don't think so XBox 360 is any thing but a game console by wasting
your money online and buying gamer points that are meaningless to games
in real life. "

There,There Everything gonna be alright stop crying man. You don't have to feel this way, There are plenty of suicide prevention hotlines for Sony lovers.

[DaTrooF]

wat are your thoughts on this?

[power of Green]

Who cares about the Zune fool!.

Says you" how old are you? and why are you so angry?, Oh! i know you bought the Sony hype and got Mummy and Daddy to finally buy you a PS3 and now you're bitter because all your friends are really happy with the Xbox and you're stuck with watching movies while hearing i told you so from all the kids at school.