In a series of low-key e-mails to games-press editors yesterday, Microsoft announced an upcoming group of new Xbox Live features, code-named "Tsunami." While no concrete release dates for the upgrades were given, Microsoft said they would come before the end of 2004.

　　While only the broad strokes of the feature set were revealed, Tsunami will sport a variety of attractive options, including:

　　Improved team dynamics, including enhanced intrateam messaging and challenges to rival clans both within the Xbox Live dashboard and on the Web via MSN Messenger. Team customization features, which will allow gamers to create and share team mottos and emblems, as well as statistics, rosters, history, maps, and other content. New custom-competition option that will let gamers build new types of contests and matches for titles that are created and administered by the publisher and/or the users.

　　According to Microsoft, Tsunami will also contain improvements and service management and developer support. GameSpot will have more details on Tsunami as they become available.