Xbox Live receives update

Posted on 23 Apr 2004 at 11:21

Microsoft this week has updated its Xbox dedicated online gaming service Xbox Live with new features directed at both users and developers.

For users, first in a wave of content in the pipeline based on 'gamers' wish lists worldwide' is the introduction of a Voice Messages service. Xbox Live subscribers can now send verbal rants to friends and verbally invite other players into games.

New Live content provided for development studios is a tad more extensive; and such introductions will benefit the end-user, naturally. Here's what's been added:

* Teams: Gamers will be able to easily form teams and notify them of matches, strategies and even upcoming competitions

* Competitions: Empowers gamers to easily create their own tournaments while in-game; as easy as creating, inviting and playing for all their favourite games across any game genre

* Online Content Swapping: Title-managed online storage allows gamers to create and share mottos, emblems, and custom content and create and update maps, rosters, and other environment data

* Level Playing Field Technology: New arbitration and reliability technologies reduce players' ability to cheat online, while increasing reliability ratings for all players and penalising actions like disconnects during games

According to Microsoft, 'many of these new features are expected to debut later this year with new Xbox Live titles'.

The company has also announced the launch of a new three-month subscription Xbox Live Starter Kit for the US market. The package contains a three-month subscription to the Xbox Live service, an Xbox Live Communicator and game demos of MechAssault and MotoGP. Retail price is $39.99.

And that's not all. Next week, the 12-month Xbox Live Starter Kit will be updated and packaged with a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox Live Communicator and a full version of the award-winning Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. Retail price for this will be $69.99.

Author: Stuart Bishop