Xbox Live summer update details revealed.

Thursday 6th August 2009 - 11:00


Raft of new content on the way for Xbox owners plus Super Monkey Ball Step Roll screens



Less than a week from today, the Xbox Live summer update will arrive to more than 20 million members and with it will come the next evolution of connected entertainment on Xbox 360. Browse, select and jump right into your favourite movies from the top genres: comedy, action, horror even a tear-jerking chick flick. There are hundreds to choose from, with many in HD.

Now thanks to Avatar Marketplace the options for customising your avatar are endless. With an ever-expanding selection of stores, full of premium outfits and accessories from favourite games and fashion brands, you can express yourself through your Avatar like never before.

You can also earn special Avatar clothes and items just by playing your favourite games, starting with a logo t-shirt from "Splosion Man," the hit Xbox Live Arcade title that kicked-off off the 2nd annual Summer of Arcade. And to keep your Avatars from getting bored, Microsoft is giving them fun new props to play with; everything from a basketball to pompoms, even a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, Games on Demand marks the introduction of digitally distributed full Xbox 360 games: You'll also have the option to easily purchase Games on Demand titles directly via credit card. From award-winning hits like "Mass Effect," "and "Assassin's Creed," to family favourites like "LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga" and "Sonic the Hedgehog," Games on Demand gives you access to a growing catalogue of full Xbox 360 titles, updated weekly and available to browse and download 24x7 from launch.

Now you can also view, find and arrange your content on Xbox Live the way you want. Want to send a specific friend a message? Sort your friends list by Gamertag, status and even activity, so you can easily find the friends you want. There are also new options for viewing your Achievements and progress, improved matchmaking support and more.

Best of all, you can now rate every single piece of content on Xbox Live Games Marketplace using a five star system. Support your favourite XBLA game with a five star rating, or find the top-rated titles in the newly-updated Indie Games Marketplace - it's never been easier. The free update is scheduled to launch next week.

Finally, we've got the first screenshots of a major new Nintendo title due out next year. Super Monkey Ball Step and Roll is the next instalment in the highly popular Super Monkey Ball series. Expect lots more motion sensor puzzle mayhem when the game (and hopefully, further details) gets released next year.