Microsoft Announces Xbox Live Network Testing, Live Labs

Avatar items, zero point achievement available for those who take part.


Microsoft is looking to enhance Xbox Live, and it wants your help to do it. Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb announced Xbox Live Labs this morning, a voluntary program designed to perform network tests on your Xbox 360 and improve the online gaming service.

The chance to participate in Xbox Live Labs begins today, and those that take part will be rewarded with new avatar items and achievements.


"Although we want your support, participating in Xbox Live Labs is entirely optional and voluntary," Nelson stated in a post on his blog. "These results are recorded solely for the purpose of testing and improving the service and will not be used to identify you."

Live Labs is comprised of three network tests, and Microsoft will reward a mad scientist themed avatar item (lab coat, brain helmet, Einstein hair) for each test completed as well as a zero point achievement.

Testing will run through March 27 and is open to all Live members in the United States. To take part, look for the Live Labs panel in the Xbox Live community channel and follow the prompts. Nelson noted that other Live activities, namely online gaming, are disabled when the Labs tests are running.



Now I personally did this last night, not for the items, but because it will help improve XBL, which is something that is good for everyone, basically I just left my Xbox on overnight and was able to complete this.