New Xbox Experience beta signups open
by Randy Nelson 
{ Oct 24th 2008 at 7:23PM }
As he hinted about earlier this week, Major Nelson has updated his blog with details on how to sign up for a chance to download the New Xbox Experience prior to its official Nov. 19 launch. It's called the "Xbox 360 Fall 2008 Preview Program," and, in order to participate, you must sign into Microsoft Connect with a valid Windows Live ID and complete a brief survey.
As Major Nelson points out, filling out the survey won't guarantee you early access to the NXE. He says that several thousand participants will be chosen, however, and that your chances are best if you're an Xbox Live Gold member (although Silver members can still apply). Those who are selected can expect to be contacted via the email address they provide within a week.
[Thanks, Cody]
As Major Nelson points out, filling out the survey won't guarantee you early access to the NXE. He says that several thousand participants will be chosen, however, and that your chances are best if you're an Xbox Live Gold member (although Silver members can still apply). Those who are selected can expect to be contacted via the email address they provide within a week.
[Thanks, Cody]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
memot @ Oct 24th 2008 7:26PM
I signed up after like 20 minutes he posted it. Hope i get in the preview, too bad I'm Silver for now. >.
NukeAssault @ Oct 24th 2008 7:26PM
Probably wont get it... But no harm in not trying. =D
Latin Trident @ Oct 24th 2008 8:06PM
You think people with modded/flashed 360s will qualify?
Cody @ Oct 24th 2008 8:17PM
@Latin
Somehow I doubt it. :P
Ghen @ Oct 25th 2008 5:42AM
if you aren't banned from Live yet then you have just as much chance as anyone.
Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Oct 24th 2008 7:34PM
Already signed up for it earlier today, as I was already signed up for Microsoft Connect.
Also, there is a good chance you'll get selected, as there are around 1000 people they're choosing for this.
Waffle Slayer @ Oct 25th 2008 12:35AM
"We’re looking for a few thousand participants..."
I'm sorry but 1,000 isn't a few thousand.
Shawn @ Oct 26th 2008 12:05AM
1000 people isn't a lot. Especially if you take into account how many people play on Xbox Live. By the way I'm pretty sure it's more than 1000 that they're picking
whookid @ Oct 24th 2008 7:36PM
So basically, Microsoft want people to sign up and be specially selected to find out if their console will red ring. Nice. (Signs Up)
Cody @ Oct 24th 2008 8:18PM
Seems to me so far there haven't been any problems with any of the 360 updates. Granted, this is one HUGE update, but I still doubt there will be many problems.
sk8monroe81 @ Oct 24th 2008 8:52PM
whookid- the 360 firmware updates have never been a cause of RROD or other console issues..
u are confusing the 360 with the ps3..
the ps3 has issues on almost every firmware update on some consoles that need to be later patched.
wonderweazel @ Oct 24th 2008 9:42PM
bad troll, back under your bridge!
whookid @ Oct 24th 2008 10:08PM
Wow.. amazing, jump on me for speaking my mind. Microsoft obviously require people to test it for some reason, which is what my point was.
Thanks for your insightful comment on the PS3 by the way. (sarcasm in case you didn't figure that out)
dmg @ Oct 24th 2008 10:38PM
Speaking your mind =/= Being right. In case you were not aware, 360s RROD because of HARDWARE malfunctions not software.
Tiptup300 @ Oct 24th 2008 10:49PM
Oh my god! Talk of the RROD when the xbox is brought up! How passe.
jayeffaar @ Oct 27th 2008 10:40PM
Yes, whookid, Microsoft requires thousands of people to test this for some reason. The reason being that you shouldn't release software meant to be used by hundreds of thousands of people at once without having run at least some stress tests involving more than a few dozen employees.
They're doing the right thing here for once. You should keep the sarcasm for the (all too frequent) cases where it is appropriate.
Sora @ Oct 24th 2008 7:36PM
I doubt they're gonna choose me as the questions seemed like they wanted specific types of people.
Jakka @ Oct 24th 2008 7:36PM
In the event of me getting in, I do reserve the right to poke fun at you sore losers!
:P
Erik Stroud @ Oct 24th 2008 8:49PM
You can poke fun at me, my console wont be here till the 27th, so I probably wont get in.
Absolute Filth @ Oct 24th 2008 7:37PM
I hope I get into it, I just want it for Netflix :)
oh and party chat will help since that should have been out since day one of the 360
CB @ Oct 24th 2008 7:40PM
When registering to Connect, it says the handle I want isn't available. I'm trying to use my gamertag so is this separate from Live unlike Live/Zune?
whookid @ Oct 24th 2008 7:41PM
Yeah, is totally seperate as you put in your handle and your gamertag seperately later.
CB @ Oct 24th 2008 7:50PM
Thank you, whookid :)
Orionsaint @ Oct 24th 2008 7:56PM
When I went to signup it said,
"You are already in the participation process for this program."
So I guess I'm set?
marklar @ Oct 24th 2008 9:50PM
NO! it looks like a glitch - scroll down and click on the "survey"
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 24th 2008 8:01PM
it's Gold only. Trust me. This is another way that Microsoft makes me sick. They even had a little sneering moment.
Gold members have a better chance, but Silver members can sign up too."
Translation: Only for people who pay 50 dollars a year for next to nothing, but if you don't want to get anally raped by Microsoft, you can have the fun of completing a survey to see what it'd would be like if you could get to have this opportunity.
reddrive @ Oct 24th 2008 8:08PM
Yeah it sucks that Gold costs money, but there are often things that make it easy to lie to yourself and say you are getting your money's worth.
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 24th 2008 8:11PM
What makes it even wworse is that I have a ps3 that I can compare it to. There are far better games and graphics on the 360, but the PSN is free and I get the type of stuff that Gold gives you (actually even better stuff) for 25 dollars a year.
Cody @ Oct 24th 2008 8:27PM
Well look at it this way...at least Live doesn't cost as much as WoW or other MMOs.
TheAbbotFire @ Oct 24th 2008 8:28PM
Stop being a cheap bitch then and get a Gold Membership
Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Oct 24th 2008 8:28PM
Just to let you know, I'm here playing my violin.
Jakka @ Oct 24th 2008 8:34PM
Joins Moorios band and begins playing the world's saddest song on the world's smallest violin.
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/609/smallestviolinwz4.jpg
TheAbbotFire @ Oct 24th 2008 8:36PM
And I hear a million voices crying out in agony at your pain as well.
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 24th 2008 8:39PM
but if i get it, then i'm microsoft's bitch. it's not being cheap to not want to pay 50 clams for something another console gives me for free.
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 24th 2008 8:44PM
I'd always been told that most other 360 users were infantile douchebags, but now I believe it. Go back to 4chan.
sk8monroe81 @ Oct 24th 2008 8:54PM
martin- what does free online mean if so many people cant play SOCOM... a new sony ps3 game released last week??
there have been so many server errors, disconnects, and no hosts..
so players have not really even played the game online yet.. kinda sucks when the game is online only..
reddrive @ Oct 24th 2008 9:13PM
"I'd always been told that most other 360 users were infantile douchebags, but now I believe it. Go back to 4chan." - Martin
I think what they are all trying to say is that you have had 3 years to get used to dropping those clams.
If you spend a little time, you can pickup a year right now for $30 w/ bonuses on the net or some people got the old live cards for around $15.
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 24th 2008 9:15PM
You're right, I'm just not used to having to pay for this since I've had a Wii and PS3 for 2 years and I just got a 360.
AoE @ Oct 24th 2008 9:57PM
If Microsoft makes you so sick, why did you buy a 360? Why would you choose to support a company who apparently nauseates you in many ways? That I just don't understand... unless perhaps you're just claiming ownership so you can bitch/troll/whatever you want to call it?
Mike @ Oct 24th 2008 10:09PM
I'm happy to pay $50 a year for online gaming and all the other perks that come with it, such as an early preview of the dashboard.
I guess that makes me Microsoft's bitch eh. Now that I think about it, I pay for many things...tuition, last.fm, skype, cell phone, internet, insurance...wow I must have a really loose ass!
dmg @ Oct 24th 2008 10:41PM
You consider the ability to play online next to nothing?
Tiptup300 @ Oct 24th 2008 11:31PM
Sounds like someone didn't get their allowance this week.
Metal Geario 360 @ Oct 25th 2008 9:51AM
I still am BAFFLED at the "Gold" complaints...
Dude, its 50 bucks...
For every person that "rants about XBL Gold", Ur PC should crash for typing code your PC cant understand.
*How about in NY it costs $81 a month for an unlimited/ monthly Metro Card(public transportation to get to "work")
Get a job, grow up, bother parents or GTFO...
Martin Greenberg @ Oct 25th 2008 12:58PM
Are you still whining about it? You people are fucking relentless. That was yesterday. Get over it.
Steve @ Oct 24th 2008 8:12PM
I threw in hat in the ring....I'm feeling lucky my birthday is in November.
therpham @ Oct 24th 2008 8:13PM
I saw this on his feed earlier and thought "Eh, what the hell. I might as well try to get the fifteen minutes of fun out of Avatars before everyone goes nuts over it."
Ben! @ Oct 25th 2008 1:47AM
Yeah, it'd be impossible to have fun with something if everybody else was able to have fun with it too.
therpham @ Oct 25th 2008 12:20PM
That's not really what I meant - I just meant that I would like to make my own impressions of it before the Internet is filled with those of others.
Lord HowitHurtz @ Oct 24th 2008 8:21PM
It would be nice to sign up if BOTH my 360's hadn't RROD!!!
TrojanGuy @ Oct 24th 2008 8:25PM
As cool as it sounds, I think I'll just wait for it to be generally available.