Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Microsoft has launched a new Xbox 360 System Update Preview program, inviting gamers to try out their upcoming "updated Xbox 360 disc format".

Participants will receive a copy of Halo: Reach, along with "other possible rewards". As usual, though, the program is only open to US gamers, apparently due to "disc distribution limitations".

Those who qualify, however, can sign up right now over here, with Microsoft accepting "multiple thousands" of Xbox 360 gamers, including both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members (although Gold will be given preference).

Regardless of who's allowed to join the preview program, though, what's really intriguing is what will the "updated Xbox 360 disc format" actually entail? Has Microsoft found a way to further increase the size of a standard DVD? Or perhaps, improved the compression, allowing for more space?

It's common knowledge that the restrictive size of the Xbox 360's dual-layer DVD - which is 9GB - has been problematic for many developers in the past, and Xbox 360 gamers have had to deal with heavily compressed and low bit-rate videos, or even cut content, for games which have had no problem on the PS3 due to its ability to read blu-rays up to 50GB in size.

Of course, it could just be a new anti-piracy update, which wouldn't be very exciting at all.

We'll let you know as soon as we hear more.

[via MajorNelson]