New Xbox Live Dashboard Update coming August 11th

[Vector]

Microsoft will soon usher several thousand Xbox Live members to experience the first wave of 2009's dashboard updates, but the rest of the world won't have to wait long for the upgrades. While outlining Comic-Con, Microsoft has also revealed the official launch date for the Xbox Live update that brings tweaks to Netflix, an Avatar Marketplace, Games On Demand and more: August 11.

The press release confirms Mass Effect, BioShock, Assassin's Creed, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Sonic the Hedgehog as Games on Demand launch titles.

This update does not include the social network collaborations announced at E3. Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. integration is coming "later this fall." The second wave of updates will also include the much bragged about 1080p HD streaming.

http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/697551/Xbox-Live-Dashboard-Update-Officially-Arrives-August-11.html?utm_source=g4tv&utm_medium=twitterblog&utm_campaign=so-0907-twittergamenews360-697551&cmpid=so-0907-twittergamenews360-697551

[Branden_Lucero]

bleh, i never care about any of that. i don't even know why i have Gold when the only time i ever benefit it is from early access to things, or discounts, or whatever else.

[Carnivol]

I think the amount of "Deal of the Week" purchases I've made so far this year have more than made up for the annual fee I've pay for my Gold status.

Still looking forward to the new NXE update, though. I miss the days of scheduled updates... this is the first "real" update since the NXE early-access for me, which means that it's 10 months or since I last had a dashboard update (not counting the hot fixes)

The updates have always kinda been a bit interesting 'cause of the major functionality and feature changes and tweaks... oh well... here's to hoping for no more GUIDE or friends list freezes!

[Gradon]

The press release confirms Mass Effect, BioShock, Assassin's Creed, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Sonic the Hedgehog as Games on Demand launch titles.

What does this mean?

[Mr_Zombie]

Digital distribution, something like Steam - you can buy a game and download it on your HDD.

[A-J]

Make the slow ass guide faster + include a proper web browser PLEASE !

[Carnivol]

What does this mean?

What is currently known as "Xbox Originals" is being replaced by "Games on Demand" and will also feature Xbox 360 titles.

[James]

While the marketplace is definitely faster, there's a lot more "commonsense" updates that really should've been here in the first place.

Regardless, a nice update. Cannot wait for the social networking AND games on demand feature. Disc-less full games will be awesome if you ask me, so much more convenient. Shame you can't actually download them though if you already own the game, instead having to buy again >_>

Web browser? lol

[nemesis_lover]

Games on demand would really start to hurt Game retailers in the future, but i'm happy for a new update, shame that Facebook won't be included as yet, because I use Facebook to keep up to date with old friends and Family.
I really wished the xbox avatars had more content, also have the choice to change the colours of shirts etc, so I can make certain people.

[Guest]

Well, here are some 360 news too:
-http://kotaku.com/5321602/unseen-360...nd-a-dreamcast
Yes, what you saw there was a link sword or however it's called

-http://www.gametrailers.com/user-mov...ar-golf/325157
And yes, they are playing golf with the same awfull graphics as in wiisports, the thing is: if it, at least, had better graphics, it wouldn't be such a rip off

[Carnivol]

My initial impression, as far as the early access goes;

This thing is butter smooth. I've yet to have any lock ups, freezing guides and slow loading friendslists and whatever. The European marketplace, which was oddly enough slow as hell for me before (while US and JP worked smooth) now works all butter smooth for me too.

The other little touches are okay enough. I like the ratings system, but it'll take some time before it'll accurately be in effect.

The "totals" screen for your achievements could need some touches, though.
It should display how many games you've got in total too (+maybe w/option to separate arcade from retail too)

The total failure list is great, though! (Showing you how many achievements you've got and what your max is + how many points out of your currently registered max amount)

I wonder if they'll be able to pull off the Games on Demand in some sort of way for the multi-disc games. Also, as far as disc -> Games on Demand goes, I still wish that games would've come with some sort of CD-key (redeem code) that enabled you to keep one installed copy... of course, such systems are always so exploitable... just look at how many buy and resell the Rock Band track packs after using the redeem codes or how many rent Rock Band 1 for the export feature.)

[nemesis_lover]

At the end of the day, Xbox needs a playstaton Home. I love Home, beats msn any day.

[WeskerIncarnate]

Games on demand would really start to hurt Game retailers in the future, but i'm happy for a new update, shame that Facebook won't be included as yet, because I use Facebook to keep up to date with old friends and Family.
I really wished the xbox avatars had more content, also have the choice to change the colours of shirts etc, so I can make certain people.

Not really.

I mean, original Xbox games consume enough memory. It's not like they'll be releasing new titles when they come out. BioShock came out 2 years ago.

Not to mention you have to wait for a download. At a retailer, you have the bonus of a case and are able to carry the game around (I'm sure those downloaded games will be locked to the owner's account only).

Games in disc form have advantages over downloadable media, but downloadable games are going to be of more convenience and more ergonomic as there is no disk involved. You break or scratch your disk beyond use, you either get it repaired, and if you can't, well, I'm afraid you'll have to buy another copy.

With a download, you can delete and download whenever you want, as the system remembers your purchase.

[Carnivol]

Like WeskerIncarnate said; There wont be any "launch day" releases (yet, at least)

(I'm sure those downloaded games will be locked to the owner's account only).

Yeah. They've confirmed that Games on Demand will use the same DRM as any other purchase content on Xbox LIVE has. Which means that the content will tie itself to two things:

1. Your Xbox LIVE account.
2. The console it was initially purchased/downloaded on.

This means that a game will be playable on a system as long as the LIVE account that bought it is signed in (online) on the console, or if you're playing it on the console it was initially purchased/downloaded on (with any account, even offline)

[Vector]

Hey Carn, can you explain the 'ratings system' a bit more?