New Xbox eXperience

[2099net]

Well, I downloaded it today and here's my avatar! (Needs a little more time spent on it to get it right) I'll have a closer look at the system tonight to see how good it is. But I've already installed Fable II to by hard disc which should be a boon (I think my 360 DVD drive is slowly failing).

[drfsupercenter]

Hmm, that looks a lot like the Miis... only with better graphics.

Darn Microsoft and stealing Nintendo's ideas! (I heard they were gonna make a Wiimote ripoff for the 360 as well)

[2099net]

Damn. The Virtual Console and Wii Ware are just like Microsofts Xbox Live Arcade and Community Games.

Darn Nintendo and stealing Microsoft's ideas!

[pap64]

Downloaded it in the morning. In all honesty, I feel pretty "meh" about it. There are too many windows to navigate through. I like the install option, but you still need to have the disc in order to run it. It definitely prevents people from abusing it, though (like renting a game, then returning it and keeping the full game for free).

The Avatars are cool, but HATE the fact that you can't collect them, trade them or even make multiple avatars, like the Miis. Once you make an avatar it stays attached to your profile. So if you want to another one you have to make a new profile. I was looking forward to make multiple avatars, since its my thing.

As for the rip-off claims, well, its HARD to deny that they were created to combat the casual audience Nintendo caters to with their system. What annoys me is that MS keeps claiming that they come up with the avatars long before the Miis were released.

There's nothing wrong with taking an idea and making it your own, improving it to fit your and your customer's needs. MS, however, keeps defending it like they created the concept, when the idea of avatars has been around long before the Miis. It just reeks of arrogance, and makes it feel like the avatars were indeed created to combat the Miis.

OK, I am done rambling. Mind if I add you to my friends list, 2099?

[2099net]

You can add, but I'm hardly ever on my 360 at the moment (for work and PS3 Fallout 3 commitments).

Fable II is installed on my 360 (I only have a 20GB HDD so I don't have any more room for another game) and while its not faster, it certainly better than my DVD drive chuntering away all the time - the game is constantly streaming data.

As for Miis and Xbox Avatars, well MSN messenger has been using avatars (including animated ones) for years. Are they the same as Miis? No, but there hardly light years behind either. Really, if you look at any of the big three console manufacturers, you'll be hard pushed to find any genuine innovation (even the Wii Remote is built upon techniques and technology used in light guns and Samba De Amigo Maracas!)

[pap64]

You can add, but I'm hardly ever on my 360 at the moment (for work and PS3 Fallout 3 commitments).

Fable II is installed on my 360 (I only have a 20GB HDD so I don't have any more room for another game) and while its not faster, it certainly better than my DVD drive chuntering away all the time - the game is constantly streaming data.

As for Miis and Xbox Avatars, well MSN messenger has been using avatars (including animated ones) for years. Are they the same as Miis? No, but there hardly light years behind either. Really, if you look at any of the big three console manufacturers, you'll be hard pushed to find any genuine innovation (even the Wii Remote is built upon techniques and technology used in light guns and Samba De Amigo Maracas!)

The idea of inserting yourself in the games have an even longer history, especially at Nintendo. The first instance of this was during the NES days, when the Japanese Famicom featured the CD add on.

They have been trying to find ways to make a cost effective way to make an avatar system, but all their ideas either involved a separate game or an additional peripheral, so they dropped it. It wasn't till they discovered that a small team was working on an avatar system for the DS. They loved it so much that they implemented it on the Wii and the rest is history.

Not saying that Nintendo owns the idea of avatars, just explaining the history behind them.

You can also add MMORPGs as the originator of online avatars. Technically, you can create a character that looks like you and take it online.

I wouldn't call WiiWare/XBLA innovations since both have the same functions: to provide cheap games, discover new talent and, most importantly, explore the possibilities of downloadable content.

I agree that even the most innovative ideas come from existing ideas or have surfaced to meet the needs of the consumers. Again, there's nothing wrong with updating current ideas.

Darn, sorry for rambling again.

[DarthPrime]

The nice thing about the download content on the 360 vs. the Wii is you can easily transfer the DRM rights to another console. With the Wii you have to get Nintendo to repair your system, or you lose everything.

This isn't a big deal, but after the warranty is up on the Wii I would rather buy a new system, than pay almost $100 for a refurb. That and the fact that I had a horrible time getting my Wii repaired in January (took 2 months, and finally they sent me a brand new console instead of a refurb which was very nice in my opinion after my problems.).

I like the optional installs for 360 games. It beats the mandatory ones on the PS3. The 360 keeps getting better. I think I'll finally get one whenever Jasper models become easy to find.

For the people using NXE how are the HD streams from Netflix?

[pap64]

Sent you a friend request, Netty.

[DarthPrime]

For those that are looking for a 360 right now, Jasper models are finally showing up in stores. Right now its only confirmed in the Arcade models. What's interesting is not only did the GPU go to 65nm like the CPU, but a few other changes happened. The internal flash memory has been upgraded from 64MB to 256MB on the motherboard. The Arcade no longer comes with the memory card, and NXE and games saves can be saved to the internal flash memory. Of course memory cards, and hard drives can be added. Also the power supply is now 150 watts instead of 175 watts that the Falcon models had.

Jaspers are showing up in Lot #0843X from Team FDOU. Their are some Falcons in this lot, but Jaspers begin with a manufacturing date of 10-23-2008. Anything earlier is a Falcon.

Of course if you open the box and have no memory card, and a 150 watt power supply it is a Jasper. From the early reports people say they are quieter except for the DVD drive. Adding a hard drive and installing games makes the Jasper very quiet compared to early models. They are also reported to run cooler.

Just a heads up for people that have been waiting on Jasper. I think upgrading the flash memory was a good ideal so they can have NXE loaded on the new systems. Still should have included a memory card in my opinion (how much can a 256MB card really cost them to included?), although most people will eventually get a hard drive.

Might go out and see if I can locate one of these. I assume they will be easier to find in a week or two after consoles start getting restocked because of the holiday rush.

Hopefully the Jasper units finally stop the RRoD.

[DaveWadding]

For those that are looking for a 360 right now, Jasper models are finally showing up in stores. Right now its only confirmed in the Arcade models. What's interesting is not only did the GPU go to 65nm like the CPU, but a few other changes happened. The internal flash memory has been upgraded from 64MB to 256MB on the motherboard. The Arcade no longer comes with the memory card, and NXE and games saves can be saved to the internal flash memory. Of course memory cards, and hard drives can be added. Also the power supply is now 150 watts instead of 175 watts that the Falcon models had.

Jaspers are showing up in Lot #0843X from Team FDOU. Their are some Falcons in this lot, but Jaspers begin with a manufacturing date of 10-23-2008. Anything earlier is a Falcon.

Of course if you open the box and have no memory card, and a 150 watt power supply it is a Jasper. From the early reports people say they are quieter except for the DVD drive. Adding a hard drive and installing games makes the Jasper very quiet compared to early models. They are also reported to run cooler.

Just a heads up for people that have been waiting on Jasper. I think upgrading the flash memory was a good ideal so they can have NXE loaded on the new systems. Still should have included a memory card in my opinion (how much can a 256MB card really cost them to included?), although most people will eventually get a hard drive.

Might go out and see if I can locate one of these. I assume they will be easier to find in a week or two after consoles start getting restocked because of the holiday rush.

Hopefully the Jasper units finally stop the RRoD.

You can get a 20GB HD refurb off MS for like $30 with a 3 month Gold subscription if you buy an Arcade.

[DarthPrime]

For those that are looking for a 360 right now, Jasper models are finally showing up in stores. Right now its only confirmed in the Arcade models. What's interesting is not only did the GPU go to 65nm like the CPU, but a few other changes happened. The internal flash memory has been upgraded from 64MB to 256MB on the motherboard. The Arcade no longer comes with the memory card, and NXE and games saves can be saved to the internal flash memory. Of course memory cards, and hard drives can be added. Also the power supply is now 150 watts instead of 175 watts that the Falcon models had.

Jaspers are showing up in Lot #0843X from Team FDOU. Their are some Falcons in this lot, but Jaspers begin with a manufacturing date of 10-23-2008. Anything earlier is a Falcon.

Of course if you open the box and have no memory card, and a 150 watt power supply it is a Jasper. From the early reports people say they are quieter except for the DVD drive. Adding a hard drive and installing games makes the Jasper very quiet compared to early models. They are also reported to run cooler.

Just a heads up for people that have been waiting on Jasper. I think upgrading the flash memory was a good ideal so they can have NXE loaded on the new systems. Still should have included a memory card in my opinion (how much can a 256MB card really cost them to included?), although most people will eventually get a hard drive.

Might go out and see if I can locate one of these. I assume they will be easier to find in a week or two after consoles start getting restocked because of the holiday rush.

Hopefully the Jasper units finally stop the RRoD.

You can get a 20GB HD refurb off MS for like $30 with a 3 month Gold subscription if you buy an Arcade.

I'm wondering how these drives are working. I've only seen one YouTube review and the person who got one said the drive had visible scratches, etc... on it and it was full of game saves.

Something about a refurb hard drive doesn't set right with me.

Although with Jasper showing up and the Arcades for $199 with a $20 gift card at Target I'm tempted.

[jeremy88]

I was watching this stuff on G4TV and it almost made me want to buy an Xbox 360, which never even crossed my mind before, cause I'm so anti-xbox, but starting at $199? Wow really tempting. But I'm like...well I've been a Playstation fan for years...so I'm caught in the middle. If I bought a 360 I'd have to buy a new PS2 so I can replay my favorite PS1 and PS2 games (my old PS2 finally pooped out after six years)

[DarthPrime]

I was watching this stuff on G4TV and it almost made me want to buy an Xbox 360, which never even crossed my mind before, cause I'm so anti-xbox, but starting at $199? Wow really tempting. But I'm like...well I've been a Playstation fan for years...so I'm caught in the middle. If I bought a 360 I'd have to buy a new PS2 so I can replay my favorite PS1 and PS2 games (my old PS2 finally pooped out after six years)

I've been really tempted to get a 360 lately as well. I've decided to wait though, and see how the Jasper builds go before I get one (see if RRoD, etc... is finally gone.).

The only bad thing about the $199 360 is storage space. They only come with 256MB of memory (either internal, or a memory card depending on if you get a newer Jasper build). The NXE update takes up 128MB, plus you don't really get 256MB of memory anyway because you loose a little when its formatted. After NXE is loaded your down to 100 or less MB in space from what I've seen.

It would be ok if you only had a few games, and kept the 360 offline. I really think Microsoft should include the 512MB card with the Arcade, or even bring back the 20GB drives. The refurb drive deal is a good deal right now for the Arcade models. I've heard mixed reviews on the drives, which is normal dealing with refurbished items like a hard drive.

[jeremy88]

Ah bummer about the 199's, myself I probably wouldnt have too many 360 games, perhaps just the major titles everyone talks about and play those online. Actually more Xbox games appeal to me for online play then PS3 games, there are more PS3 games I want to play just to play but not really any of them online, except for Call of Duty 4 lol.