Xbox site gets major facelift

Wednesday, 20 October 2010 15:25 Written by Ragel Nel

The official Xbox 360 Web site has undergone a major overhaul and those changes were revealed when the new incarnation of the site went live today, 20 October.

Microsoft decided to revamp the site in anticipation of the soon-to-be released Kinect, the full-body motion-control device for Xbox 360 in which the player becomes the controller, and the online gaming network Xbox LIVE which will be launched in nine new territories soon – including South Africa on November 10.

In addition to the Web site’s brand new appearance – which includes a cleaner looking white backdrop – other changes are a browser-based Avatar editor which will allow users to edit their Xbox 360 avatars and preview avatar items before buying it; combined views for messages; friend and game requests; improved notification of account subscriptions; Leverage Family Reports, which will help users to understand how their family members are using Xbox LIVE; the ability to play Xbox games online with Xbox LIVE friends or on Windows Phone 7; and Marketplace, which will provide users with a more powerful and intuitive way to search, browse and filter.

In addition to the new site, Microsoft has unveiled a bunch of new Xbox 360 videogames tailored to be played with the movement-sensing Kinect controller. Kinect uses a 3D camera and motion recognition software so that videogame players can play the games by using their natural body movements and voice commands instead of hand-held controllers. The sensor will recognise the player’s body and mirror his/her movements in the game.

Some of the new Kinect games set for release include “Kinectimals”, a videogame tailored to kids that allows players to befriend and train wild animals on the screen with words and gestures; “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, which will place players in the shoes of the young wizard to battle the evil Lord Voldemort.

The Xbox 360 console with a 4GB hard drive with Kinect sensor will be available locally at the end of November for R3 726.66 (VAT included) from DigitalSAOnline. It will include the videogame “Kinect Adventures” that will allow players to river raft, tackle mountaintop obstacle courses, drift in outer space, and dive into a deep, leaky underwater observatory.

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