Some more new features have been added to the fall Xbox 360 firmware update on December 4th.
These new additions will follow the previously announced “Family Timer” (which limits the amount of playtime the 360 can have per week or even per day, for parents who want absolute control of what their kid plays), Xbox Originals (Original Xbox games that you can download to your 360 via the Marketplace for $15 each) and a new “Friends of Friends” feature that lets you see your Friends’ Friends list. You’ll also be able to set your name, location and a brief bio as part of a social networking-style addition to the service.
And now the update will also include the Xbox Live Arcade Hits program, which will give us a discount for older Xbox Live Arcade downloadable titles. The first group of Arcade Hits will be: Bankshot Billiards 2 and Lumines Live!, both of which will cost only $10 (1200 Microsoft Points) now down from $15. And Marble Blast Ultra, Zuma Deluxe and Small Arms, which will cost $5 ($400) down from $10.
A new “Inside Xbox” news ticker will appear just below your gamercard on the Xbox Live blade. And it will show any update to the service, including new games added that week. There will also be a number of smaller updates, although none the less significant. You can now view previews in full-screen, and there is support for DivX and Xvid video files. People who were minors when they bought the system but are now adults will now be treated as such, and see their chat and IM features enabled. And you’ll also have the ability to change your Windows Live ID (passport) that’s associated with your Xbox Live account. — Via Joystiq