Rumor: New Xbox Live service is in the works

Microsoft's careers websites just created (not on purpose, of course) a brand new and very exciting Xbox Live rumor that may tell us where the Live platform is headed. According to the first draft of Microsoft's Program Manager job listing (which has since been reworded), the job description reads out like the second coming of ~~Christ~~ Xbox Live, saying:

"Want to be involved in the next release of Xbox? Join the server-backed games team, part of the Xbox Live team that's responsible for creating a completely new way for mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and Live. We're building the games, the console interface and logic, and the server support for a totally new Live experience. Both the games and the dashboard experience will be deeply paired with dynamic server support to create a compelling, fresh scenario each time."

Ooo, fresh scenarios! But what exactly does that mean? We really aren't sure, but it could mean big changes for Xbox Live and big changes for how subscribers use the service in the future. Now that we think about it, we're putting our Vegas money on Xbox Live becoming a virtual reality contrived, Rock Band listening, chatpad enhanced, open Marketplace, ninja-like service with free soda refills. And yes, we have had way too much caffeine this morning.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Reader Comments (30)

I'd just settle for Xbox Live working 100% of the time...

Is it really all that bad? I've had live for 3 years, and haven't ever had any major problems. Just recently the holiday break was probably the only bad downtime I've seen on Live in the 3 years. Intermitten downtimes are to be expected on a service like this. But I've never had any constant problems with Live in the 3 years I've had it.

Yeah, I'm still getting a "your Nat settings" blah blah blah error message every now and again... even though mine is set to open. I always get lag in the next few games that I play after that message.

Ollej: Ditto, the only problems I've had since Halo 2's launch...

BTW: I was getting the "your nat settings" moderate/strict issue for a long time too. I then set my Xbox to have a static IP (.0.36, easy to remember) and forwarded ports 88 and 2074. No issues since.

I don't give a crap. Just add Matroska support to the Xbox and I'll be happy.

File this under "DUH"? If a new Xbox is coming out in 2010-2012, then they are working on a new version of Live to go along with it.

Could it be the xbox live equivalent of Home?

Yikes, I hope not.

I hope not too. I like the blade menus.

I hope not. I don't want to navigate a virtual world to view movies, trailers, and check achievements.

Do you people realize everything like that that can be done in Home, can will also be done in the PS3 blades?

Yeah, I don't understand why people think the ps3 will be required to go through Home to do anything. Sony aren't idiots, sometimes people just want to play a game alone, and won't want to travel through a town hall just to do a single player game.

"part of the Xbox Live team that's responsible for creating a completely new way for mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and Live. "

yeah, have it working properly....

I think this likely refers to the xbox originals program or maybe an extension to that service like maybe downloadable 360 games, I doubt that its something crazy huge and new that we've never heard about. Then again I'm wrong 90% of the time :P

Yeah, I too would be happy with an Xbox Live Service that worked smooth and efficient. Ever since that Fall Update, it just ain't the same.

this is might be for the next xbox too. they abandoned the first one so damn fast it wouldnt surprise me if they did it to this one.

I hated how they canned the original XBox immediately as well, but I doubt they'll do that again.

As cool as the XBox was, it was a money-loser and obviously not the leader for that generation. MS needed to dump it and move on so they could make progress. The 360 has been a success - even in spite of the hardware issues - and is now actually making them money, so it wouldn't make much sense for them to just suddenly chop the head off when the next console shows up.

Someone using my name it seems lol.I think its more along the lines of a attempt to compete with something like home which i thing is a bad idea.They have a good thing going right now and home is only a intrusion on peoples access there features quickly.I mean who wants to have to log into home just then access games then boot the game then play when you can skip the nonsense boot the game and play.Even if sony makes the gives the option not to have top go thru home.What is home gonna be like?

It will be like the world of losers in those internet avater things like red light center and there.I personaly would never want to put up with weirdos dressing there charecters and having fantasy sex and fantasy dates.Just to be able to play my games online fast and easy is enough.

There's no forcing anyone to actually use Home on the ps3 as well. No one's going to want to walk through some virtual town center just to play Motorstorm. It's something you have to login to as well.

Maybe it could have something to do with a server to host all that user-created content they've been telling us we'd have for the last few years?

With the latest dashboard update you DO have access to all the user-created content and games, but it requires a $100 yearly XNA subscription.

Sounds like they are just making it easier for developers to use dedicated severs for their games.

That's all I got from it.

home looks so so, if i had ps3 I would use home as a means the have a 3D msn. Even them msn is cleaner, quicker.

I'd like to hear more about this 'new' xbox live. I think it would be cool to have a thropie like room for achievements.

AThe first commenter said they'd settle for xbox live working 100%, i'd settle for an xbox which doesn't fall apart.

Stukorn, use duct tape, works everytime...

maybe they will be expanding our online avitars beyond just gamer cards - perhaps mii/home people to go with it....perhaps also the long rumored clan support. I dunno, but maybe this has either something to do with Live Anywhere or that keynote speech they're doing at GDC.....

.......Time will tell

to me it sounds like a server based game... a home for xbox 360 or even flash/java/msn games that you can play directly on live without downloading anything...

to make sure core/arcade sku buyers dont commit suicide ( or even worse spens 120$ on a 20 gig hdd that only gives you 13 gigs of actual space you can use!)

I love how these are the things that start rumors.

This is the same job ad that was posted years ago.

I'm not sure if this is going to be for the 360 or the follow-up console....I'm sort of hoping it's actually for the 360, but I doubt it. I'm guessing this is going to be in response to the Home thing that Sony has in the works.

I like XBL the way it is, I don't need a Home-like interface. But it's understandable why they would be working on something to combat it for those who do care.

ummm what happened to the fronlines fuel of war post???? Did they pull it?????

How about DEDICATED SERVERS? ...please?

Rumor: New Xbox Live service is in the works

Reader Comments (30)

Posted: Feb 18th 2008 12:38PM itsburnsie said

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