sounds kinky

I'm hoping it means they've hit upon a new technology for Live that allows you to electrocute squeakers and idiots with a convienient press of a button.

"...mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and LIVE."

Microsoft's answer to Home, XBox Life!

I need more medicine.

I wonder what game the people in that picture are playing? Gears of War perhaps, judging by the look on the mom's face. Blood splatter and swearing makes any suburban mom happy.

I'm trying to decided if "The Next Release of Xbox" is the next firmware update or more likely the next console. If it's the next console combined with that article a few months ago about studios already making games for the next Xbox hardware cycle we might be seeing that console a lot sooner than many expected.

Considering that Microsoft has the on-line console gaming market virtually cornered right now, I can't see them putting a ton of resources into a total revamping of a system that already works pretty well... Gotta agree with Fahey that his is going to be more feature-adding than a total rehaul /revamping.

Interesting. It could mean anything, like the next xbox system, but the small team part sounds messed up, wearing multiple hats sounds messed up too.

I doubt they are talking about web-based games though Fahey. Not enough drm and control :P

"We are looking for a passionate Games Producer to help implement our first generation games that will run in this new environment"

Aren't they just talking about a job to help with Xbox Originals or something? Implementing first gen games in this new environment (online) is exactly what Xbox Originals is isn't it?

Actually I thought as soon as that said 'completely new way for mainstream audiences to enjoy the Xbox and Live' that they were going to bundle a Wiimote-esque IR pointer in with a new version of the service that'd let people point-n-click at stuff with ease. Weren't we talking about rumors of Microsoft looking into using motion/pointing controls on the 360? I'm curious if they planned to develop a more 'Casual PC surfer/gamer' experience for the 360.

as others have said, I too think Microsoft will try to have some sort of home of it's own. But it will still be seen as a copy, much like the sixaxis.

As long as it doesn't surrender to the onslaught of casuals, then I'm fine with it.

I know it's certainly a long shot but maybe they are thinking of revamping the pricing programs or god for bid making it free like it should be.

"Want to be involved in the next release of Xbox?"
I don't think we'll know any more about whatever this is for quite awhile.

I don't think mainstream audiences will be that into home ... non-gamers seem to think it's a bit creepy to make a fake house online and hang out with people there instead of just actually getting together.

Recently mentioned in this interview:

[xbox360.thegamereviews.com]

"JEFF BELL: Now, Web 2.0 we've talked about. Live 2.0 is coming. So, it will not be like the first generation. We are very proud of the blades, we think that worked. It was very innovative at the time. But you will see us evolve to make an even more assessable approachable user interface, that is playing upon where things have been going in the last 5 years.

TGR: Voice chat?

JEFF BELL: Possibly."

And it's most likely not Microsoft's version of Home either. From the same interview:

"TGR: May I ask something? With the introduction of Home. Xbox would be perfect for a virtual world. Well, there has been a rumor on the internet; is it something that MS is considering?

JEFF BELL: Hmm, you know, I will give you my point of view, and again, I am just one person, so never say never, and whatever, but, I actually feel that our role is to humanize technology. I think that we should allow our games, whether they are more online, MMO's, whether it is PC, that are potentially coming into the console, role-playing games, whether it is sports or all the different things. To me, that is the escape. That is the fantasy. I believe that whether it is the camera, or the voice chat or the chat pad, we are trying to humanize the technology to make more real community as opposed to virtual community. So for that reason, we talked to Second Life since I have been here and well before that. They would really love to come in and be on Xbox Live. I just don't know if that is the right thing. I am really questioning it. I can't say that I am done with it, but in many ways the Gamer's Tags are fun, but we are seeing more and more people be more and more transparent about who they really are, as opposed to being kind of "I'm hiding, or I am trying to be a voyager," or something else. So, I think that right now, if you wanted my position, we are trying to humanize the technology and let the games and entertainment be the escape. So we really are not as focused on that kind of Second Life experience."

I hope this new Xbox Live includes a fix for the currently horrible DRM License Transfer method.

MS Home confirmed!

@insane_cobra:

Thanks for posting that! Really interesting stuff. I do feel like they're going to make something similar to Home though

Some of the comments here about Xbox Live sound like they are assuming that;

1. The PS3 has the online gaming market cornered.

2. Xbox is coming up with an answer to Home, who know one knows if it will be successful or not and already is the defacto winner of online interfaces.

3. Xbox Live is copying from PSN which is the farthest thing from the truth since PSN is doing everything it can to be XBOX LIVE.

Man the Sony bias in here is subliminally dominant.

How can MS launch a new and improved Live on current console? Start saving fanbois, once these new recruits get their feet wet it's time to break the piggy bank.

@insane_cobra:

"we are trying to humanize the technology"

why am I getting a downfall of human civilation feeling all of a sudden?

I wont be buying the next Xbox.

Noway in hell I'll make that purchase again.

And when they abandon my 360 like they did with the first xbox... meh.

@Leobebes:

I don't see that at all really. I do see people saying the next iteration would be answer to Home. You have to admit that Home takes the console network to new places, and goes further than Xbox Live in terms of interactivity. No doubt it will be a selling factor for some, so Microsoft would be smart to have an answer to it. Simple as that. Just read the quote above from Microsoft where they elude to that interactive direction and even talked with Second Life..

Hopefully they will be getting dedicated servers. I refuse to use LIVE until they bring about dedicated servers with admin capabilities.

It will be compatible with Internet 2.0

@Leobebes:
1. Home is a nice idea you cant deny that, no one is assuming that means PSN > live :/
2. No we dont know if home will be a success, no we dont know microsoft is gonna make a home style program
3.xbox live did everything first? no it copied it from other things.... thats life

cant we have a bitta fun and speculation? isnt this what comments are suppose to be about?

Me thinks ur bias against sony? :P

@insane_cobra: Oh God. I was just joking. They're not? That's just sad.

The 'creating a new way' stuff sort of just sounds like them telling everyone 'we are the best, we lead the online gameing charge! always!'. But the second part convinced me otherwise. It does sound like the sort of stuff you won't have to download. Maybe trying to get more casual gamers on the 'pay-for-xbox-live-gold' train. Offer Peggle and Diner Dash sort of stuff in a free to subscribers manner.

if microsoft wants XBL to become the next myspace, it's going to have to make online gaming free.

not enough people are willing to pay the subscription...

what Microsoft is currently doing is commonly referred to as 'stepping over dollars to pick up pennies'

@Muffin_Man:

That's the million dollar question though. With Home the PS3 will be on par, if not past, where Live is as a network. So if Sony can offer all the same services with an added twist for free, what will Live have that makes it worth the subscription? That's probably why they're redoing this because people will look at the features and be confused as to where the cash comes in

XBL is pretty damn user friendly already...how could they make it any easier?

Even PSN which is a convoluted mess of..stuff is somewhat easy to use.

Home, well that might be a little complicated for the masses but I guess we will find out soon enough.

I don't have anything to add just posting so i can get my account verified.

Not looking good as when I tried to sign up my email address had already been used?

Maybe I have another account from months ago I'm still waiting to have activated.
God this is a slow and crap system.

@Muffin_Man: Agreed, my first thought was an entirely online game similar to current flash games. In this manner the network will support multiple games that players can utilize for free. All that is required is internet access and the proper subscription. The DRM would be there, but as it would require you to be connected to the network in order to access the content I see no reason why a downloadable (yes you would have to pay for it) version could not be made available as well. Interesting idea if they can manage it. It reminds me of the current Zune subscriptions that are available (unlimited downloads but only available while your account is active).

@Leobebes: 1)Is there an "online gaming market" on consoles? You're stuck with the product that comes with your console. It's not like you can choose PSN on the 360 does it? If you mean that they are getting their shit together than yeah, with user-created content and 40-60 player games (no lag, at least in Fall of Man) for free I would say they got it together.
2)From anyone, especially Microsoft's history, you could safely assume that they will copy it if it's successful. They have done just that. Live is probably the only thing that they created themselves. And they have no shame in it (they shouldn't actually) either. How many times have we heard (Blu-ray, motion-sensing) "if the consumers want it (read: if it sells on the other consoles) we'll do it?"
3)What do you mean? Because they also provide demos and online gaming? I'm sorry but I don't think this can truly be accounted to live, since PC gaming had these components ages before Live. And by the way I don't think no one mentioned PSN, which is different from Home. If MS wanted to copy PSN, they would start by making Live free, which would be a very good direction.

In other words, people's assumptions that it might be a Home rip-off are not that far-fetched.

"and able to wear multiple hats to get things done quickly."

I have a huge head that would be the perfect job for me. lol. Seriously what the hell does that mean?

well m$ is known to follow other company's steps and just throw money in it's path to try and achieve a barely adequate standard so i say,home m$ version:true :)

Home seems creepy to me. I don't need an interactive environment to get to my games...Hell, Live is pretty good as it is.

I'm pretty sure we're at Live 2.0, Microsoft.

You know, functional Live, which finally came after the weak sauce you guys passed off as Live back during its early stages on the original Xbox.

@Lain: Ahoy that.

@Islandkiwi:

Then don't use it. Sony gives you a choice. You can get to games and interact with friends purely through Home's menu system.

@deathsyth8888: From the look on the kid's face, I thought it was DOAX2...

Did anyone stop to consider that this is probably just some HR person using an old, pre-X360 job posting language Word file to cut-and-paste a new one?

What happened to the epic story? Cease and Desist? or just needed correcting? hmm

I hope they're just going to roll out the 720. I want back into the xbox scene....but I'll be damned if it's going to be on a 360.

"multiple hats"???

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

eek ignore that, it disappeared and showed back up

Do we need a new Live?

People need to re-read the article. They aren't saying new Xbox is in the works, they are saying new Xbox LIVE is in the works

@Irenicus-the one and only: "wearing multiple hats" = we will work you like a slave.

Xbox Live is great, but it could always be better!

@Arttemis:

Fix is on the way. I expect the Fall, but maybe even sooner...