The Xbox.com Xbox 360 FAQ

Ever since the first rumors swirled around the Xbox 360™ video game console in early 2005, we've been amassing a number of important questions from our Xbox.com audience about the next-generation system. Here they are ... dig in!

The System

Q. Aside from gaming, what sort of multimedia capabilities does the system offer?

A. Xbox 360 offers a wide range of multimedia features, letting you instantly stream digital media stored on your portable music player, digital camera, Windows® PC running Media Center, or any Microsoft® Windows® XP-based PC directly to your Xbox 360. Xbox 360 is the best way to:

• Enjoy music: Play all music from any of the popular CD music formats (CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-Extra), store up to 15,000 songs on the 20GB hard drive, and stream the music stored on your PC and portable music players.
• Browse images: Plug in your digital camera, portable storage device, or PC and instantly access your latest and greatest shots.
• Experience high-definition: Stream high-def movies and TV directly from your Media Center PC.
• Mix your media: Listen to your own music while you play games. Create a slideshow to your own songs and share it with friends via the best TV and speakers in the house. Or bring down the house by experimenting with the interactive visualizers built into every Xbox 360.

Learn more: Mass Media | Media Center Connectivity

Q. Can you tell gamers more about the wireless capabilities of the console and peripherals?

A. Xbox 360 connects automatically with up to four Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers, with an impressive range of up to 30 feet. Multiple consoles and upwards of 20 controllers won't interfere with each other—gamers can organize LAN parties with ease. The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adaptor makes connecting to Xbox Live® a snap, with support for the most popular wireless frequencies.

Learn more: The Ultimate Wireless Network | Wireless Control | The Power of Wireless

Q. What's the voice headset like? Can I use my current Xbox Communicator, too?

A. We've eliminated the "puck" on the original Xbox controller, so your Xbox Live headset now plugs directly into your Xbox 360 controller. You can use your original Xbox Communicator headset, but you won't have direct volume control or mute capability.

Learn more: Essential Accessories

Q. Do the controllers have vibration?

A. Yes, each controller features vibration feedback. You can turn the vibration on or off to match your personal preference.

Learn more: Controller Evolved

The Games

Q. How will the system's game-development benefits affect the gaming public? Will this affect game capabilities and development time?

A. From Call of Duty® 2 to Perfect Dark Zero™ to Kameo™: Elements of Power™ to Madden NFL™ 2006 to Gears of War™ to Blue Dragon to Project Gotham Racing® 3, Xbox 360 will have the greatest games lineup ever in part because we've put the most powerful and programmable next-generation system into the hands of the world's greatest game designers. In designing Xbox 360, we created a complete development platform that harmonizes powerful hardware, powerful software tools, and the awesome power of the Xbox Live online games network. This complete platform lets developers focus on creating games rather than wrestling with technology.

Learn more: Power Play

Q. Aside from the high-definition graphics, what new functionality does Xbox 360 hardware bring to games?

A. Beyond the jaw-dropping graphics, gamers can expect cutting-edge gameplay, astounding audio fidelity, a leap forward in online communications, an abundance of on-demand content to enhance their entertainment experience, and much more. Explore the links below for more information.

Learn more: Artificial Intelligence | Physics | Audio Revolution | Graphics | The Guts

Q. What are the Xbox 360 exclusive games on the way?

A. Microsoft Game Studios is bringing Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, and Project Gotham Racing 3 to Xbox 360 this holiday. Also exclusive to Xbox 360 is Call of Duty 2 from Activision, Inc., and QUAKE™ 4, which they developed with id Software. You'll also see Dead or Alive® 4 from Tecmo® and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ from Bethesda Softworks/2K Games, among many others.

Learn more: Launch Games Roundup

Q. What is the most innovative new game (or feature) on Xbox 360?

A. There are way too many new features and games to choose just one. Check out our console page and the Xbox 360 titles in our games catalog.

Q. With last November's Halo® 2 and upcoming QUAKE 4, Gears of War, and Perfect Dark Zero, there seems to be a big emphasis on shooters lately. What can you tell us about next-gen development in other areas, like roleplaying games, fighters, platformers, sports titles, etc.?

A. With more than 200 Xbox 360 games in development from a wide range of companies like Electronic Arts, Activision, and Microsoft Game Studios, there's a variety of games for every enthusiast. For example, role-playing and action fans will enjoy The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Kameo: Elements of Power, sports and racing fans will like Top Spin™ 2 and PGR 3, and fighter fans will drool over Dead or Alive 4. 2005 alone will see more than 25 games hitting Xbox 360, and, while shooter fans will find much to love, there's something for everyone. Plus, every Xbox 360 provides a portal into the world of Xbox Live Arcade, where everyone can enjoy their favorite retro titles—without the hassle of quarters or waiting in line.

Learn more: Games Catalog | Xbox Live Arcade

Q. We've heard very little about the gamer party favorite: system link and LAN parties. With all the wireless talk going around, what do you see in the future of LAN parties?

A.Your Xbox 360 console will seamlessly integrate with your friends' Xbox 360 consoles and wireless accessories for clutter-free LAN parties the likes of which have never been seen before. Consider the 30-foot range on the controllers and the trouble-free plug-and-play (or unplug-and-play as the case may be) capability of all the Xbox 360 accessories. And with the sleek design of the console, Xbox 360 travels with ease.

Learn more: The Power of Wireless

Media

Q. What can I do with a Windows Media Center PC and Xbox 360? How does that work?

A. Every Xbox 360 also works as a Media Center Extender—which means you'll be able to access recorded TV (including high-definition shows) and digital movies (including high-definition films), music, video, and photos stored on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox 360. What's more, you can stay connected to Xbox Live and still receive game invites and messages from your friends while watching your favorite TV shows or movies.

Learn more: Media Center Connectivity

Q. What is the DVD format?

A. Xbox 360 plays DVD movies right out of the box and supports progressive-scan if your TV can accept 480p signal or better. Here's the full list of supported disc formats: DVD Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD Audio, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW.  Xbox 360 is also capable of playing back the audio sessions of such CD formats as CD-Extra, Enhanced CD, etc.

Learn more: More Than Games

Q. We hear a lot about the "HD Era" and how it's going to revolutionize gaming on Xbox 360. What tangible aspects of this will gamers experience with launch this holiday season?

A. The HD Era of games is about more than just more powerful pixels. It's about entertainment experiences that are always connected, always personalized, and always in high definition. We will see a shift towards more immersive and integrated consumer experiences, illustrated by a powerful leap to hi-definition graphics, where character movements and expressions are intensely vibrant and highly believable; multi-channel, powerful positional audio fidelity so clear and precise that players will hear the faintest enemy footsteps sneaking up from behind; richer online communications; and an abundance of on-demand content for game consoles.

That's as much as we could dig up this time around, folks. Be sure to browse our Xbox 360 section for more information, and check back often as we bring you the latest news all the way to launch!