Larry Hryb, Xbox Live's Director of Programming and the blogosphere's Major Nelson, was kind enough to find the time to do a short Q&A for my Rocky Mountain News story, which runs Friday morning. Unfortunately, much of it won't make the paper, so I'm running it in its entirety on Kotaku.

What would you say the biggest change is to Xbox Live with the coming of the Xbox 360?
One of the biggest changes to Xbox Live is the way members will access it. Specifically, members will now have one unified user interface that they can call up at anytime with a tap of the Xbox Guide Button. With one tap of the button a member can stay connected to their console and the community.

How big a deal is the new Xbox? Would you say it represents a paradigm shift in gaming, or just another step toward one?
Xbox 360 redefines what gaming is all about. Xbox 360 places you at the center of the fun, YOU are in control. In addition, Xbox 360 takes the world class Xbox Live service and makes it an even richer, more exciting service to be a part of.

What Xbox 360 feature are you most looking forward to?
Since I have a Windows Media center at my home, I am really excited about that part of it that and the complete wireless experience. Beyond that I am really excited about the way the system will interact with Xbox Live. The gamercard and the rich data that is available from the service will redefine online gaming.

I understand the faceplates of the Xbox 360 or very customizable, you can have different colors, create your own, even grow Chia on it. What are you doing with your faceplate?
I am thinking a nice bright orange and blue. I am a Syracuse Orangeman after all ;)

Do you think that Microsoft is pushing the whole concept of Hi Def, especially Hi Def TV, too hard too soon with the Xbox 360?
It s not like the Xbox 360 will ONLY work with a HiDef TV. What s great is that over the lifecycle of the console, more people will be purchasing HiDef displays then ever before. In that regard, the Xbox 360 is future-proof. It s ready to go on any display you have but will REALLY shine when you finally get that HiDef display.

Do you think that Microsoft will beat out Sony this generation around? If so how?
We are in this business for the long haul we are not sprinting to the finish line, but rather taking smart steps to make sure we deliver the right hardware, software and services that will excite gamers. I think everyone will agree that we are off to a astonishing start and it will only get better!

Do you have a sense what percentage of Xbox owners are online and do you think that will increase dramatically with the Xbox 360? If so, how much and why?
Xbox Live has over 1.4 million subscribers, which is a small percentage of our install base. Xbox 360 broadens the appeal of the notion of online with some innovative new features that will allow all levels of users to interact and connect with the world in new and exciting ways.

Alrighty, thanks a ton for your time and keep up the great work, I think your site is probably the first corporate blog that really works.
Thanks! My blog (www.majornelson.com) gives me a chance to have conversations with our customers and members that really excite me I am especially excited to finally be able to talk about the things we ve been working on for so long!

Have any favorite Xbox 360 games yet?
We aren t discussing specific game titles until after our press conference on Monday.

Halo 2.5?
Again, we aren t discussing specific titles.