Xbox Live Update
Xbox have rolled out a major upgrade to the Xbox Live service. One of the key features of the upgrade is the ability for Gold members to purchase full Xbox and Xbox 360 games directly via the marketplace. Having had a look around the online store most of the games appear to be the platinum range and cost around the same price online (£19.99).
From Thursday users will also be able to purchase new avatar clothes and items. I personally can’t see me parting with hard earned cash so my Xbox Live presence can have a new pair of jeans but each to their own.
The upgrade features a range of user interface improvements, the ability to rate content on the Marketplace and a new veteran rating for Gold members of long standing. Netflix support is also vastly improved with this update so here is hoping there is a UK offering very soon (as apparently Love Film is up for sale).
Microsoft have a few more updates in the pipeline, in the Autumn Xbox LIVE will see the addition of the following new features:
Facebook
Twitter
Last.fm
Although many of the features in this upgrade involve invitations to spend more money (or microsoft points) it is definitely exciting times for the Xbox gaming community. Although I personally use the system to get into Call of Duty games some of the arcade games are exciting, the fact that games like Battlefield 1943 can be downloaded as an arcade game would have been unimaginable 3-4 years ago.
To read full details of the upgrade visit the Xbox website here.
