Rumor: Xbox 360 To "Relaunch" On Sept. 25 With TV Ad Blitz, Free Games

A poster on the VGChartz forums (yes, I know) has posted alleged details of a rumored Xbox 360 "relaunch," the specifics of which even the author writes are "batshit crazy." However, the supposed Fall marketing push is specific enough to the point where it could be grounded in reality — and makes some amount of sense in light of new price drops, the arrival of the "New Xbox Experience" and impending holiday purchases.

According to the forum posting, on September 25th, Microsoft will take over basic cable channel G4 with a five-hour infomercial, culminating in the launch of the New Xbox Experience at midnight. The arrival of the new look and feel for the Xbox 360's dashboard will also bring with it three totally new services, six free games and twelve new exclusives.

More On The Netflix/360 Deal

Of all yesterday's 360-related announcements, the one that could have the biggest impact on the console's sales over the years to come could well be the Netflix deal. Because, really, it turns the 360 from a games machine that moonlighted as a movie download unit to a games machine that could be bought solely as a movie download unit and (almost) be worth the money. So, bearing that in mind, let's take a look at the deal's finer details!

Firstly, it's scheduled to kick off sometime "this holiday season". So, late November, early December. Secondly, if you're an Xbox Live Gold subscriber and a Netflix subscriber, this won't cost you an extra penny. You're already paid, and signed, up (though if you're without a Gold and/or Netflix subscription, you'll obviously need to get one/both). Thirdly, the deal covers both Netflix's movies and TV shows, giving 360 owners access to over 10,000 downloads once the service kicks off.

One more thing to keep in mind is that this deal is designed to complement the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, not supplant it. Everything that's in the XBL Video Marketplace will still be there, you'll just soon have the option of using Netflix instead. Presser follows.

Netflix Partners With Microsoft

Neflix is Microsoft's new media partner. Users will be able to watch the entirety of Netflix's film library directly from their Xbox 360s, and movies and TV shows can be shared with the avatar-based community called Live Party, just announced earlier this morning.

Microsoft's John Schappert said that there would be no additional cost imposed on the Netflix service beyond the regular Netflix subscription costs.

Got Vista Premium? You Can Stream Netflix To Your 360

Netflix recently polled its members to see how interested they would be in the online rental company streaming movies to TVs via the Xbox 360, Reuters is reporting.

Netflix declined to tell Reuters whether the survey was an indication that a streaming service, rumored to be bound for the Xbox 360 and PS3 since October, was imminent. The spokesman did say that Netflix was interested in getting its movies to consumers' TVs "in as many ways as possible."

Now word if the survey addressed the possibility of the service coming to the PS3.

Seems like a good call for Netflix and maybe could allow Microsoft to get out of the video rental business, settling instead for a cut rather than the whole shebang.

Netflix surveys members on Microsoft Xbox [Reuters]

Netflix Eyeing Xbox 360, PS3 For Rentals

Gamasutra is reporting that mail order movie rental service Netflix is looking at alternate delivery vehicles for subscribers, including "internet-connected HD-DVD and Blu-ray devices." That could mean that PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners could benefit from the company's on-demand movie watching service, already available for PC users and included with regular membership.

With Sony already rumored to be planning an on-demand download service and Microsoft offering plenty of downloadable movies and television shows via the Xbox Live Marketplace, one has to wonder how open these monoliths would be to inviting a partner. My guess? Not open. Maybe the Phantom console would be a better bet.

Netflix Wants To Deliver Video Via Xbox 360, PS3 [Gamasutra]