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Microsoft beta testing Avatar awards

by Xav de Matos { Jun 27th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Joystiq tipsters -- and Xbox.com regulars -- have noticed a strange Beta 2009 icon appearing on some Xbox 360 'Played Games' profiles. While speculation (or hopes and dreams) was that the icon was related to something important, sources tell Joystiq that Microsoft is internally testing Avatar awards. Sorry, no megatons here.

From what we've been told, the test is an executable built for Beta users to play with the awards program before it launches. Avatar awards are triggered by in-game achievements: when a player unlocks an award -- clothing was the only specific award mentioned -- it is made available in the Avatar customization menu of the NXE. Select Xbox 360 users are already sporting fancy new threads, which are presumably related to this beta test.

Avatar awards were one of the many new features coming to the NXE revealed at E3 2009 -- including the ~~smart~~ evil idea of charging users for the real "cool" stuff.

Gallery: Avatar Marketplace

Major Nelson: Xbox 360 guide faster after next update

by Justin McElroy { Jun 22nd 2009 at 1:45PM }

Oh, you thought NXE was the last dashboard update you'd be able to sink you mitts into? No dice. Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson said on his show this week that the next update for the 360 would increase the speed of the guide. "Whatever we call it (and it's not going to be called the NNXE), but whatever the next version of the dashboard is called, it's better with a lot of very cool new features," he said. "That update will be out later this year."

We haven't talked about this sort of thing in a while, so we're curious: What updates would you still like to see to the dashboard?

[Via CVG]

E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 11:45AM }

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

Continued →

NXE update: watch all media with your Xbox Live party

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 1st 2009 at 2:57PM }

Want to watch some Netflix movies, but afraid that your dilapidated couch's springs will grievously injure the tender buttocks of your lady friend? Well, try inviting her into your Xbox Live party*, which, according to Microsoft's E3 press conference, will soon support online, virtual couch viewing of all media -- including images, Netflix videos and your culturally outdated music.

Hey, anybody wanna watch Van Helsing with us? Hello?

Website previews premium Xbox themes

by Richard Mitchell { Apr 27th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Earlier this year, we reported on NXEThemes.com, which showed off previews of various premium (read: paid) themes for the Xbox 360. Alas, it appears that NXE Themes has gone kaput, so what's a frugal, design-conscious gamer to do? Easy, just head over to Theme Xbox.

The website has YouTube previews of premium NXE themes, allowing you to check out every facet of a given theme before plunking down your hard-earned Microsoft Points. Granted, the website could use some tweaking -- it's currently just a forum -- but it's definitely better than wasting money on a bad theme. Finally, you can stop agonizing over whether or not to pick up that Sonic Unleashed theme.

Rumor: Rare 'accidentally' reveals Perfect Dark XBLA

by David Hinkle { Apr 9th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Click to perfect-size

The above image (used to promote the Banjo-Tooie premium theme for Xbox 360) was revealed via the Banjo-Kazooie forums. Notice anything? No, not the huge, red arrow. Look at what it's pointing at. What could that be?

Forum users are saying it's an icon for Perfect Dark on XBLA, though it could be anything, really. We should also mention that Rare does like messing with fans. Remember that Christmas card debacle? This could be another tease that goes ... nowhere. Also, how do we know that Rare isn't developing a game called "Person Stuck in White Room"? Hey, it could happen!

Regardless, we contacted Microsoft about the possibility of Perfect Dark on XBLA. The company's response: "We have nothing to announce at this time."

[Via Xbox360Achievements]

Brace yourself for the new Xbox 360 System Update

by Justin McElroy { Apr 2nd 2009 at 9:45AM }

We don't think we're being presumptuous when we say that April 2 will forever be remembered as the day when the New New Xbox Experience went live. Just how epic is it going to be? Well, as you can see, we've chosen a picture of a totally sweet phoenix rising from the ashes to accompany the post so you tell us.

Grab a glass of iced tea, power on your 360, and get ready to address "interruption issues that some Xbox LIVE users may have experienced when playing a limited number of Xbox 360 games." Also new? Nothing. Sorry.

Avatars go professional, get business gear

by Xav de Matos { Mar 31st 2009 at 10:30PM }

Brand new Avatar threads are now available for your virtual-selves. This week's additions include business clothes for men and women ... just in case your Avatar was planning on attending a job interview or something. One thing to note before you dress up for that next online date, change your shoes. Business suits and sneakers don't work.

Male Business Attire

Blue Formal Shirt
Moleskin Pants
Waistcoat and Shirt
Suit and Tie (pictured)

Female Business Attire

Pencil Skirt
Slacks
Pinstripe Blazer
Twin Set

Joystiq survey: Xbox 360 E74 errors on the rise since NXE [update]

by Justin McElroy { Mar 19th 2009 at 2:40PM }

When we recently posted about the Xbox 360's E74 error and asked for your input, we weren't prepared for the staggering response we'd receive. Within a few hours, we had dozens of emails from readers like you who had experienced this particular hardware failure (typically caused, according to unofficial web reports, by a loose scaling chip). It was surprising to touch such a nerve, but what really knocked us for a loop was what we found when we started compiling the data sent to us.

Continued →

New western Avatar clothing for the cowboy in us all

by Dustin Burg { Mar 10th 2009 at 9:55PM }

Brand new Avatar apparel is available via the Xbox 360's Avatar customizer and, this week, it's all about the western flavor. The new western-wear is supposedly inspired by this week's South by Southwest celebration, but we think the design team just wanted to see what a female Avatar looked like in a knee high denim dress. Well ... now we know.

For the Cowboys

Black Cowboy Hat
Rodeo Jeans
Black Trench Coat
Western Duster
Cowboy Boots

For the Cowgirls

Cowgirl Shirt
Rhinestone Cowgirl Hat
Denim Skirt
Dungarees
Cowgirl Boots

Confirmed: NXE update on Xbox 360 game discs

by David Hinkle { Mar 4th 2009 at 4:40PM }

There was a rumor floating around today about NXE shipping on Xbox 360 game discs (via MCV) and, as you can imagine, we were surprised. So we put in a question to Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, who confirmed that Microsoft has begun including NXE with Xbox 360 games.

As to whether Tom Clancy's HAWX and 2K Sports' MLB2K9 will be the first games to feature the NXE update -- as the rumor suggested -- Major Nelson could not confirm. But, from here on out, expect the update to be included on all retail game discs.

Just in time for Valentine's, Avatars receive formal attire

by Dustin Burg { Feb 11th 2009 at 12:05AM }

Check your Avatar closet, because freshly pressed clothing has just magically been added. Spiffy new (and free) formal wear, in fact. Male Avatars now have the option to wear a black formal suit and blue dress-shirt combo. Female Avatars have the option to sport a sexy (can we refer to Avatars as sexy?) red dress. We're also told that the new duds are perfect for this weekend's special holiday. That is, if you express your romantic feelings over Xbox Live.

Rare: Unlockable Avatar duds coming 'in time'

by Dustin Burg { Feb 7th 2009 at 7:15AM }

Well aware that most all Avatar supporters, and non-supporters alike, demand clothing individuality, Rare art lead Lee Musgrave and producer Stacey Law recently hinted to VG247 that fashionable Avatar apparel may be treated like unlockable achievements ... sometime in the future.

"Games will be able to give away clothes and accessories just like Achievements," Musgrave admitted, being sure to vaguely note that such a feature would come "in time." As far as corralling developers' interest, Law is optimistic, making mention that their team is "currently working with multiple partners who have expressed interest in using Avatars."

It's either unlockable Avatar apparel, being able to change clothing colors or allowing us to put our Vision camera creativity to good use. Those are your options, Microsoft. Your call.

Gridplane shows off what the NXE could have been

by Xav de Matos { Jan 29th 2009 at 9:15PM }

Design and animation studio Gridplane has revealed one of the many mock-ups it developed for Microsoft as a potential user-interface update, which later became the NXE. Tasked with creating new ways for users to interact with multimedia, this particular mock-up showcases some of the style found in the NXE. Notably, the use of full retail packaging to list titles and the panes of information, such as the disc in tray image for Halo 3, can be found on current Xbox 360s.

Gridplane also mentions that they dreamt up an "immersive 3D environment" for users to explore games and events within the Xbox Live Community. Which, to us, sounds suspiciously like Sony's Home service.

While the mock-up is stylistically impressive, it all looks a little too much like we forgot our glasses somewhere. Luckily, the final NXE nabbed some of the best ideas and ditched the whole "ethereal plane" look this version seems to evoke.

Gallery: Gridplane: Xbox 360 UI Mock-up

Reminder: 360 memory upgrade program ends Saturday

by Dustin Burg { Jan 29th 2009 at 10:00AM }

Last call for those Xbox 360 Arcade console owners who are looking to take advantage of Microsoft's NXE storage solution offer. The program -- which was setup to get Arcade console owners storage to install the NXE -- ends this Saturday, January 31st when Microsoft will pull the plug on the website. To receive either your free 512MB memory card or to take advantage of their 20GB HDD deal, simply head over to the official memory request website, enter your console information and review what storage solution offers you receive. There is no time for procrastination, so get to it!

[Thanks, Beagles]