Neil Davidson, THE CANADIAN PRESS

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TORONTO - The Xbox 360 is getting a free facelift Wednesday, with a new-look interface.

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Microsoft

The new dashbord for the Xbox 360, to be launched on Wednesday, is shown in this Microsoft handout image.

Gamers with an Xbox Live online membership will be able to download what Microsoft is calling the "New Xbox Experience" as of 5 a.m. ET. Essentially it's a sleeker console menu that allows 360 owners to customize their own avatar instead of using the existing basic gamer tag or handle, interact with their friends more easily, and get simplified access to downloadable material.

Craig Flannagan, Xbox Canada's platform group manager, sees the new interface as "a more simple, fun, intuitive way to navigate around the console. And a more personalized experience."

In addition to adding some gloss, the interface is a more efficient way of scrolling through the many options available via Xbox Live, from games to movie downloads. The interface takes a page from the iPod when it comes to choosing movies or games, with titles cascading across the screen.

Updating the interface will be as easy as turning on the console and accepting the ensuing prompt. How long the process lasts depends on the Internet connection but could take just five minutes.

"This is the first time that a consumer electronics device has been reinvented through a software download, " said Flannagan.

The download is free but Microsoft, no doubt, hopes that a simple interface will lead consumers to spend more in downloading material.

The revamp was in part due to the explosion of material available on the online Xbox Marketplace, which was first developed for some 200 pieces of content. Flannagan says the number available now is approaching 20,000.

Gamers can use a randomly generated avatar or create their own. Friends' avatars will show up on your console as desired. When they are not online, those avatars are shown on your screen asleep. Xbox also plans to work avatars into gameplay.

Another feature of the dashboard download is Xbox Live Party, which allows the gamer and up to seven friends to get together online. They can play different games while still connected or be prompted to play together, with one gamer leading the way.

Or the group could just chat via headset and share pictures.

Microsoft says that by the end of November, Xbox will reach the milestone of 25 million consoles sold worldwide. Xbox Live, meanwhile, has more than 14 million members in 26 countries.

NOTES - Canadian sales in the video game market for October were up 22 per cent over the same month a year ago, according to NPD Group Canada which tracks the industry. Sales in 2008 through October were up 41 per cent to $1.3 billion ... The best-selling game in Canada in October was "Fable 2" for the Xbox 360, followed by three Nintendo Wii titles: "Fit," "Mario Kart" and "Play." At No. 5 was the limited edition version of "Fable 2."