Introducing the new Xbox 360

We hate to say it, but we told you so! Microsoft finished off their Monday E3 briefing with the unveiling of a new 360. The glossy new box not only looks great but sports a 250GB Hard Drive, and built-in Wi-Fi… isn’t it about bloody time?

New Xbox 360 Boot Screen?

New box, new kit, new look? With the launch of their new console and Kinect approaching fast, Microsoft look to be rebranding the Xbox 360. Kinect and its Hub (shown at E3) add more dimension to the Dashboard’s UI, and will likely bring new tweaks to the interface at launch. A revised boot screen would only be natural, right?

Say Hello to Kinect

As revealed earlier, Microsoft has officially confirmed that its motion-sensing Project Natal will, when released later this year be called Kinect. The above image was provided by Microsoft (via 1UP) to attendees of the event.

It definitely looks familiar, and not much seems to have changed aesthetically, though if I was a betting man I’d put money on a surprise or two come later this evening. The big M kicks off E3 today with its Media Briefing at 1:00pm EST (6:00pm GMT), stick around for more news on Kinect as it happens.

Could This Be the 360 Slim?

An Italian website looks to have ran an early ad for the long-rumoured Xbox 360 Slim on their website. Apparently the console of tomorrow will sport a 250GB hard drive and built in Wi-Fi functionality – not bad if I do say so myself.

Here’s a translation, courtesy of Google:

We present the new Xbox 360
250GB Hard Disk
Built in Wi-Fi Functionality
Compatible with Kinect (Natal)
Ready for the Future Technology of Tomorrow

The ad also states the new 360 is compatible with Kinect, Natal’s rumoured official name. All will be revealed in the briefing tomorrow – stay tuned!

UPDATE: The ad agency associated with Console Tribe has pulled the advert. For those that didn’t manage to catch it the first time, hit the jump to see the ad in action! Read More »

Blur Multiplayer Demo Now Available on Xbox Live

The Blur Multiplayer Demo, previously an early exclusive to beta players, is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for the rest of us mere mortals. For those that missed out on the beta the first time around, you no longer have an excuse. What are you waiting for?

L.A. Noire Coming to 360? “It’s not a PS3-exclusive”

As L.A. Noire slowly begins to reveal itself, Joystiq are reporting that it’s no longer a PS3 exclusive. Coming from the comments section of a Game Informer post, Matthew Kato claims the game’s going multiplatform.

“It’s not a PS3-exclusive. It was at one point, but it’s coming out for the PS3 and 360.”

Nothing’s official as of yet, so I’d take this announcement with a grain of salt if I was you, at least until we see it in print. Being something I’ve had my eye on for a while I’m happy we’re finally hearing news on this project. Game Informer’s preview will be with subscribers and newsstands shortly. Stay tuned for more info.

Original Xbox Live Service Discontinued in April

Major Nelson has revealed that as of April 15, 2010 Microsoft will be discontinuing the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360. Read More »

Project Natal Out “Holiday 2010″

The rumors surrounding Project Natal’s launch window have finally been answered. Today Robbie Bach confirmed that Natal will be available this “holiday season” at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Details are vague at the moment, but hopefully we’ll get a price, official name and some game announcements at this year’s E3.

Check out the press release here, and the Project Natal – Innovation Journey video after the break. Read More »

Give Your Dashboard Its Very Own Christmas

OMG! Christmas tree’s are like, so 2008! Get with it this holiday season and decorate your Dashboard instead. With a week to go until Christmas, the team at Rare have prepared this lovely Holiday Theme to get us in the festive spirit. For only 240 Microsoft Points you can let it snow all year round and unlike that tree, it won’t be shedding needles and dying out anytime soon.

The Rare Holiday Theme is available now on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points.