So the XBOX Live Preview program is finally out to the public and I got my invite on the third wave. If you’re a follower of me on Twitter or Face Book you probably saw me complaining(Ok Bitching) about not getting until the third wave and my good friends like Mr. Janes (who I originally informed to sign up for it) has given me enough crap about it.

Moving on I do have to say I am very impressed with what we’ve been shown so far let me first start with the Avatars and what your able to do with them now, and in the (hopefully) soon future for the XBOX, now I’m not saying they’re the fist to use an Avatar system on a game console, there was Nintendo’s Mii’s which not only gave Gamers a personalize character to use, but you could also use that character in some games (for example WiiSports, WiiPlay), and then there’s Sony’s Home Avatars which gives you the ability to do a more in depth customize on your Avatar, but your also able to customize a “hang out” place where you cannot only place items around, but your also able to but trophies for game around your place.  But XBOX’s little buddies are going further than that, and the preview program is show hints of that. The big part of the upgrade is the Avatar Marketplace where you cannot only buy items from different styles, but you can also buy items to use and wear from the games (for example: Halo 3, Halo ODST, Fable II, and The Secret of Monkey Island) but the part that excites me the most the award system for the Avatars so if I get a Achievement in let’s say Marvel vs Capcom 2 and achieve a perfect round 5 times in a row, I could be awarded a Ryu head band, or some Cable short-shorts lol. The point is not only can I show off some achievements that I earn and I’m proud of, I’ll now have the possibility to get an article of cloth that’ll show my achievement in a game. Now it’s been out for a while, but Microsoft is trying to get more Avatars into games, especially in “Indie” games. Microsoft also showed off a new racing game that’ll let you use your Avatars, and Guitar Hero 5 just released a video showing the abilities to use your Avatars as your Rockers.
The next thing shown was the Netflix party system which was shown a while back, and it’s finally out, but the one issue I have with it is the fact that only four people can be in it, and it’s gonna be frustrating to be in a situation where your in a party of five to seven people, and you gotta draw straws to see who’s gonna watch Fanboys together…

Other than that 1 vs 100 now has the ability to when prizes which includes an Arcade game given to the top 3 scorers of every round, and Microsoft point given to either the One or the Mob depending who wins. a new rating system for games, videos, and DLC. And your now able to see how log you, and other people have been a Live subscriber. Besides that not much else has changed on the Dashboard except a new “how to” guide for the preview program. This is the first update since E3 and I gotta say I’m impressed and very excited to see what’s next, and even more excited to see what Sony, and Nintendo (mostly Sony) will do to.