E3: Major Nelson Discusses New Live Features

With Microsoft's big press even over and the announcement of changes coming to the Live service, Major Nelson has put up a letter from the head of the development team describing just what these changes mean for Live users.

Live was the first on-line content delivery system put into a console and it did a good job in making the console more than just a system for playing video games, but rather a hub for media entertainment, this continues with a partnership with NETFLIX, the expansion of television shows on the service to include NBC/Universal, and the decision to replace the 20GB HDD with a 60GB HDD, etc.

I’m especially excited about playing from the hard drive, though this will require a bigger HD. Moving with a group of friends from game to game, movies, etc… sounds great especially when your gaming group isn’t local, and finally being able to make purchases over the internet and having your XBOX 360 play catch-up when you turn it on. What has you excited about the new Live?

The highlights (quoted by the letter, order by importance):

• Play from hard drive: Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.
• LIVE Party system: Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
• Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web: Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.
• Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends. Games will support everything you’d expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show. Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions. Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen.
• Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it’s not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.
• Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars. You can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the community. Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games.
• New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440×900 or 1680×1050.

(Thanks, Major Nelson.)