XBOX Live’s General Manager recently sent out a letter to Major Nelson, also from XBOX Live outlining some great new enhancements to the live experience. These updates will be available in the fall.

• Play from hard drive - You’ll be able to install your 360 games right on your hard drive, thus increasing load times and reducing the wear and tear on your DVD drive.
• Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web - You won’t need to be logged into the marketplace via your 360 to download content. If you have a computer and internet connection, you can choose what you want from the marketplace and let it download to your 360 the next time you turn it on.
• LIVE Party system - Up to 8 people will be able to chat privately and stay together from one game to the next. This will work with ALL XBOX 360 titles.
• Xbox LIVE Primetime - A new category of games that will allow you to earn the things you’re accustomed to, such as achievements, but there will also be the possibility to win real prizes.
• 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 - With the update 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440×900 or 1680×1050 will be available. This one makes me very happy.

Categories: Gaming News
Tags: news, xbox 360, xbox live