Messaging in Xbox Live - No Email, No Spam

Voice, text and video messaging are all supported by the new Live.

Microsoft reiterated that the messages interface in the new Live would be exclusively for text, audio and video messages from other Live members, not emails (one big reason is to avoid dealing with the issue of spam). Microsoft also mentioned that game publishers would also be able to message you, if you opt in, to inform you of tournaments and other things (most likely things like new games coming out, new levels you can purchase, etc...).

Your Friends list keeps track of your friends and what games they are currently playing. If you are watching a movie or don't wish to be disturbed, you can list yourself as Busy as you can see from the screenshot below:

Much like the current Xbox Live system, you'll be able to view people you've previously played with - this time across all games:

Note that each player's reputation is also listed in this view.

Microsoft Demos the new Xbox Live The Live Marketplace: More Ways to Spend Money
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  • shaw - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    The first Killzone was a generic FPS. So I guess the sequal will be generic FPS part 2. I have about as much faith in Guerella as I do in Digital Extremes for making a good FPS.
  • Generic Guy - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    So, the initial tone of the article is "disappointed." Why on earth should you be disappointed about lack of information about two vapor consoles whose hardware hasn't even been finalized yet, and isn't due out until the end of year at earliestl And machines whose makers are both engaged in ridiculous schlong-swinging hype ("our machine is 4873 times better than last years model..."). Who expected more than empty display shells, a la "Phantom". Who really expected anything other than hype and spin doctoring from either Microsoft or Sony? I mean, C'mon! What did you really expect?

    The really amazing thing I thought was the reserved, sober, and relatively honest pronouncements coming from the former king of hype: Nintendo.
  • ascian5 - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    "If you have any Windows XP machines on the same network that the 360 is connected to, the machine will automatically search for any and all shared music, pictures and videos and make them accessible from the media panel of the Xbox 360 dashboard."

    What happens with your porn? You don't want your buddies or your girl coming over and having the Xbox automatically find that stuff. Not to mention if you have kids! Hahaha
  • tfranzese - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    I'm more interested in the Revolution than the other two consoles. I love my Xbox, but my Gamecube is my baby too and I look forward to what Nintendo will do with their next console. I have too much nostalgia for Nintendo to not just care.
  • Anand Lal Shimpi - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    flatblastard

    Trust me, I tried getting reliable technical info on Revolution - it's simply not out there.

    I tried getting into the press conference; what was I told? "No new technical information will be presented."

    Revolution will be interesting, I'm sure, but the information is simply not out there right now.

    Take care,
    Anand
  • dripgoss - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    #16 Screw the Revolution. There I said it. From what little info I've seen about it, I could care less. They had better release something spectacular in order to grab my money this go around. Nintendo is dying a slow painful death and I hope they hang on just long enough to keep the spirit of competition alive during this next gen. Even then, they have proven themselves as a non-competitor in the current gen console market (note I said console - not handheld) by consistently selling the GC at $50 to $100 less than the other consoles just to stay alive. They just don't understand the changing US market enough to be competitive unlike Sony and MS...
  • barnett25 - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    No one has found out anything substantial about the Revolution. Nintendo isn't going to let us know the important stuff until MS and Sony's hardware is finalized, they've come right out and said so.
  • flatblastard - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    That's right Anand, just keep pretending that Nintendo doesn't exist anymore.....it really shows how much you care about consoles. How is it others have found a plethora of info about Rev, but Anand finds nothing? Either didn't look hard enough or plain just don't care.
  • muffin - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    Anyone else thinking the backgrounds on the first 2 'Marketplace' pictures look like tits from a distance? Or is that just me...
  • barnett25 - Friday, May 20, 2005 - link

    Xbox Live is the one thing that is hanging me up about the Xbox360. I am a PC gamer, I'm used to playing online for free. The thought of having to pay for that is foreign to me. Then add the marketplace, which may have some reasonable items for sale. But I can easily see MS charging for things that you get for free on a PC (like game demos, freeware type games, etc). I guess I'll have to wait and see what kind of online setup the PS3 has.

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