Xbox.com set for overhaul tomorrow

By Aemon Malone October 19, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console continues selling at a steady place. It recently committed $500 million to a marketing campaign to promote Kinect, its controller-free device set to launch next month. And next month, Xbox’s online gaming service, Xbox Live, will launch in nine new markets including Russia and South Africa. Things seem to be moving right along in the life of Microsoft’s video game system, and tomorrow (Oct. 20), the company will tend to some house cleaning by overhauling the Xbox’s online home.

The Xbox.com re-launch was announced by Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, who promised that the changes would extend beyond a makeover for the site (although that is promised too). Changes include integration features between Xbox Live and Microsoft’s Window Phone 7 to allow for Web games to be played on the mobile device. Visitors can also expect to see a better search function for the site’s Marketplace, with additional browse and filter features. In addition, a browser-based avatar editor will debut, allowing for customization and preview prior to purchase. And for parents, the re-launched site will feature a monitoring feature to “understand what your family is doing and how they are using Live.”

The site is expected to be inaccessible for a short period tomorrow starting at 5 a.m. ET as the changes are implemented. Xbox Live is expected to be unaffected during the overhaul.

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