thoughthead

In Part 1 I talked about the media and A/V related dashboard features MS should consider implementing into the Xbox 360 dashboard. Today I’m going to discuss the next five features in my list all dealing with the Xbox Live community, and how gamers connect…

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Microsoft is getting ready to launch their biannual Xbox 360 update on May 7th. While the Fall update typically concentrates on user requested features, the Spring update is usually less visible and more focused on behind the scenes optimization, security, and bug fixes. Even still, the feature list of the Spring update has a few nice additions to the dashboard. Some of these features how ever seem to be non-issues in comparison to some changes that might actually provide a significant benefit to Xbox 360 owners (and potential Xbox 360 owners).

In light of that I’ve created a list of 20 dashboard and guide features that I feel would add tremendous benefit to the Xbox 360 console (at least it will give them something to think about for 2007′s fall update). There’s a lot to cover here so rather then delivering it all at once I’ve decided to make it a four part series spanning four days this week (that’s five features a day for the mathematically inept). Part 1 starts off with Media and A/V features… enjoy.

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By request I’ve written an extended version my Xbox 360 and HDMI article. The article appears exclusively in the Editorial section of the Xbox-Scene forums.

The State of HD Gaming – Past Present and Future

          

One of the many things people complained about when the Xbox 360 was first released was the lack of an HDMI port. Many speculated that they could come out with an HDMI adapter down the road however that speculation has since been quashed. More recently we’ve seen report after report after report confirming that an HDMI capable Xbox 360 does exist and that it will arrive very very soon (update: it’s now official). What does this mean for gamers? What does this mean for people who’ve already bought an Xbox 360? Read on to be enlightened… (more…)

          

One of the best features of Xbox Live is the Live Arcade which allows you to download classic arcade games as well as new games in the classic arcade style. Many people don’t realize it but this was actually available on the Xbox 1, but it required you purchase a disc and there were only a very small handful of games (most of which which were either ported to or had a sequel on the Xbox 360 version of the arcade). The Xbox 360′s arcade offerings started fairly strong out of the gate but it has suffered a drought that it’s just now starting to overcome, unfortunately it comes at a time where they now have Nintendo and Sony to compete with in that regard as well. It leads one to wonder: what does the future hold for the Xbox Live Arcade? and do they have what it takes to put up a good show against the likes of Nintendo, Sony, or the countless Arcade style games on the PC? (more…)