Xbox.com is getting a facelift, Avatar customization & WP7 support on the way
Xbox’s Major Nelson announced that Xbox.com will be undergoing a “massive facelift” tomorrow evening. Besides the UI overhaul, the redesign promises to include support avatar customization and Windows Phone 7 games support. Straight from the source:
- Browser based Avatar editor: Edit your avatar and preview avatar items before purchase
- Combined views for messages, friend and game requests
- Improved notification of your account subscription
- Leverage Family Reports to understand what your family is doing and how they are using LIVE
- Play web games with your Xbox LIVE friends on the web or on Windows Phone 7
- Marketplace: More powerful search and more intuitive ways to browse and filter
The website will be down for maintenance tomorrow, October 20 at 5PM ET and when it comes back you can expect to explore all these exciting new features. For now, look in the gallery below for a sneek peek.
[Via MajorNelson]
[...] Having updated Xbox.com for Xbox 360 gamers, Microsoft is readying a relaunch of their Games for Windows Marketplace online portal for PC gamers. The gaming on-demand online distribution site “will offer PC gamers a robust lineup of games they love, easier navigation and purchase, and recurring specials such as Deal of the Week.” The new streamlined experience promises fewer clicks to purchase and download games and better search functionality. The Marketplace will launch with a portfolio of 100 “top-quality titles” including Fable: The Lost Chapters from Microsoft and Grand Theft Auto III from Rockstar. As long as you’ve got a Windows Live ID (that emcompasses Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows – LIVE and Zune accounts) you will have access to the store and all that it offers. Microsoft Points are accepted as currency. Expect the site to undergo core and aesthetic changes November 15. In a recent interview with Kotaku, Microsoft’s Peter Orullian says that the company is “doubling down” on PC gaming”, so you can expect the revamp of the Marketplace the beginning of a chain of events in the PC gaming realm as far as Microsoft is concerned. Better Windows/Xbox 360/Windows Phone 7 integration? Fingers crossed. PR after the break. [...]