E3: Xbox Live Avatars, Casual Offerings Shown Off

During their pre-E3 press conference, Microsoftrevealed their plans for their dashboard update this upcoming Fall. The appearance has been changed to resemble a 3D photo album, with the option to install games directly onto the hard drive.

Another new feature will be 3D Avatars for every account. These new components to Xbox Live GamerCards are not unlike Nintendo's Miis or the characters in Sony's Home. These Avatars will be integrated into the new Xbox Live Arcade title Uno Rush.

Additionally, there will be a new initiative from Microsoft called Xbox Live Primetime, with an Xbox Live version of the TV show 1 vs. 100 being the first offering on this service. Other casual games will include the singing game Lips, which allows users to sing to the lyrics of their own music collection on their iPod or Zune player; the Xbox Live Vision camera-enabled You're in the Movies, which allows users to create their own campy movies; and the new trivia game Scene It? Box Office Smash.