Screens of New Xbox Experience, Avatars, Netflix, et al

by Christopher Grant { Jul 14th 2008 at 9:30PM }

click to enlarge

Want to get a better look at the so-called "New Xbox Experience"? Microsoft shared a couple screens with us showing off the new UI, including a look at the home screen (above), Avatars, your games, the Marketplace (sorta), and Netflix. Dig in!

Gallery: New Xbox Experience

Tags: Avatars, Netflix, New-Xbox-Experience, NXE, Shane-Kim

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

kagai @ Jul 14th 2008 9:37PM

You know..I...I...I've got nothing...

Dragod @ Jul 14th 2008 9:37PM

I'm saddened by Avatars... It's going to make my Xbox feel like a kid's toy, rather than the hardcore gaming/media system it is.

All of the other features are excellent though. I just REALLY don't want to have a stupid little avatar. My gamerpics are all I need.

The Fatass of Kickassness @ Jul 14th 2008 9:40PM

I'm sure avatars could be turned off if desired. I don't see a problem with 'em, personally.

AoE @ Jul 14th 2008 9:42PM

Well... maybe instead of stressing about it you should do some reading. Did you miss the part about how gamerpics aren't going away? Because what they meant by that... I *think* mind you, kinda going out on a limb here... is that gamerpics aren't going away.

Vegnagun bwf @ Jul 14th 2008 9:46PM

I agree with you actually. The idea of marketing the 360 for a more child oriented base is sickening.

Dragod @ Jul 14th 2008 9:47PM

I just don't want Avatars. Period.
I've seen what happened when Microsoft tries to reinvent software... They changed my lovable Zune v1 software that was highly functional, into this cute, flashy, "simple" software that was a complete resource hog.

I love the straight dashboard. I don't want some stupid windowed interface.

PojoMofo @ Jul 14th 2008 9:48PM

How do you know Fatass, All indications point to you avatar being a main component of the 360's UI. I hope your right though

kagai @ Jul 14th 2008 9:48PM

Yeah, but they are ENCOURAGING users to move to Avatars, which means, "Yeah, you can user gamerpics....FOR NOW!"

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jul 14th 2008 9:50PM

@Pojo.

Or maybe it's because Microsoft already stated you'll be able to use your gamerpics.

Dragod @ Jul 14th 2008 9:51PM

Even if we can use them, it doesn't change the fact that we have these kiddie avatars instead of our functioning, efficient lists.

ces @ Jul 14th 2008 10:14PM

I completely feel you on this one. I hate the new Zune program. I swear it is the most feminine program I've ever seen. The worse is that every theme for it is all flowers and stuff. I don't understand Why can't there be a design that's brown or navy blue or even dark green. Now Avatars in my Xbox sounds like they want babies to be playing the console that was once portrayed as the "adult gamer console" now that is going to go garbage. I can't stand my Wii because everything has to be Mii related. Those little guys are so childish. Now it seems like when I go pop in Gears of War 2 and I host a match a bunch of 10 year olds are going to try to trash talk when they haven't even reached poverty. Does anyone agree?

DigTheDoug @ Jul 14th 2008 10:20PM

"It's going to make my Xbox feel like a kid's toy, rather than the hardcore gaming/media system it is."

Holy shit, you are serious when you say that? Talk about insecure.

Xoviet chiK @ Jul 14th 2008 10:27PM

That doesn't happen now ces? This definitely won't draw in the kiddies. It will appear to more of a casual, social interaction seeking crowd. The kids you described don't care about it, they are already playing 360 because it is perceived as the more "adult" console. Those kids that trash talk don't want cutsie games / features, they want to trash talk in an environment with lots of blood and bullets.

This should have no affect on you, if anything you should welcome it. Instead of playing with a bunch of prepubescent kids who will trash talk, you can party up with your friends and play Gears of War 2 without having to worry about other players.

riggs @ Jul 14th 2008 11:03PM

kids reach poverty at a early age. like third trimester early.

t_m @ Jul 15th 2008 12:28AM

wow. or you could grow up.

You realise that being paranoid about seeming like "a kid" is a sure sign of being immature and childish?

Dragod @ Jul 15th 2008 1:09AM

I'm not insecure or immature. I'd just like for the interface I know and love to stay the same. Blades are great, and I love how easy it is to navigate. Excuse me if I'd like to not see Wii-like games on my 360. I don't want to see my stupid avatar in every game just because I have one.

Plus, having a human-like avatar is really limiting. With a picture, you can convey a specific message, feeling, interest, or desire. With an avatar, all you can do is try your best to recreate your self, another person, or a person you would like to be. Putting on a shirt that says "Dr. Pepper" isn't enough for me.

You watch. Every game that isn't storyline based will incorporate the Avatars, just as Miis were. So, basically if it's not a Shooter, RPG, or RTS, expect to see Avatars forced in to the game.

Guitar Hero 5 with your avatar being the musician, anyone?

ill trooper @ Jul 15th 2008 2:28AM

I'm ok with all of this as long as the interface is (switch on that Daft Punk Vocoder) faster, smoother and less clunky. I really like the speed and look of the PS3's XMB. Prefer the 360's LIVE functionality, but abhor the ad-ridden blades.

tiremfej @ Jul 14th 2008 9:39PM

I'm really excited for the upgrade. Can't wait.

Tiptup300 @ Jul 14th 2008 10:51PM

At first I hated the thought, then I finally enabled ads on my 360 dashboard. Did you know they are animated!? Seriously, WTF!

I can't wait for this. I want a BIG DADDY Mii!

eminemd12obie @ Jul 14th 2008 9:41PM

even if avatars are optional it does make it seem more kiddy... but now EVERY console has em so no one is kiddier then the other

Xoviet chiK @ Jul 14th 2008 9:42PM

I actually LOVE the avatars. The whole system looks great so far.

ces @ Jul 14th 2008 10:21PM

But you are a girl.... Most of the hardcore gamers are guys. I'm not trying to be sexist.

Xoviet chiK @ Jul 14th 2008 10:31PM

That's true. I'm a girl, and most "hardcore" gamers are guys. Half of my friends list is made up of guys because of that.

I don't like them because I'm a girl, I like them because they enhance the social experience of Xbox LIVE. It's all centered around playing with friends, and I can finally play something other than Halo 3, CoD4, and Shadowrun when I want to "Party Up" and avoid the drivel that seems to be the average LIVE user base.

Co @ Jul 14th 2008 10:47PM

My god ces, what are you 12?

I swear all you whiny 360 owners gotta be under age. Why else would you care this much about "oh my console is gonna be kiddy" "needs moar Hal0zz" STFU

Everyone I know MY AGE (mid 20s) thinks the Miis on Wii are a neat feature, not "oh man that looks so childish".

Get to bed, don't u got summer school tomorrow?

Anticrawl @ Jul 14th 2008 10:57PM

Shadowrun?

... marry me.

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jul 14th 2008 11:51PM

@Co

You must be very insecure with your tiny little Wii.

fred @ Jul 14th 2008 11:59PM

@co
slightly related but it seemed the same thing with the wind waker game; 12 year olds that wanted to seem "more mature" complained about it being kiddy while more actually mature gamers where like "meh, who cares" or "cool new design"

Kspraydad @ Jul 14th 2008 9:43PM

Seems very coverflowish.

mykie @ Jul 14th 2008 10:23PM

Yes, looks like Cover Flow in the "Room" from the old PS3 commercials...

Also, the avatars are very Mii-like...

They aren't "stealing", they're innovating.

Jody Anthony (gamertag and psn: JodyAnthony) @ Jul 14th 2008 9:43PM

i really think this new UI is ugly. I love the blades, they are perfectly functional, without a bunch of wasted space, which this seems to have in spades. i am also not too excited about the avatars thing, it looks too much like those "zwinky" ads i see online

marusame00 @ Jul 20th 2008 3:13AM

Whats with all the 360 news? I mean i own a 360 and this is all awesome, but this is like info overload. It seems Microsoft hasn't been twittling there thumbs, AND they really did take extra time for the fall update with 8 way chat(better then 4 way) Im glad, this year in xbox seems just as fulfilling as last year.

They are really on the ball, sony announces and actually releases there in game xmb, and Microsoft takes that wager and doubles it by having a near fully featured in game guide. lol.

The hardware may fail from time to time,but its hard to ignore the 360 when Microsoft is keeping on the ball.

Josh @ Jul 14th 2008 9:58PM

I have to say that this new UI is not very favorable compared to the old. I liked the blade system, however I liked XMB better but I have to wonder where Microsoft is going to put all the ads for their new UI? It just looks boring, why mess with something that really wasn't broken?

Talryyn @ Jul 14th 2008 9:58PM

Yes you can continue to use your gamerpic instead of an Xii.

You can still use the blades to some degree, for example in game now when you press the xbox button. Plus this is a beta surely, so I am sure MS will listen to the fanbase. After all they are adding more VGA support, and overall those threads were only in the 70 page range.

Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 10:17PM

Is Xii pronounced as "ex-ee" or "Zee"?

Saria the Cat @ Jul 14th 2008 11:17PM

I vote for "shee," like the pinyin reading.

ThePerfectCompanion @ Jul 14th 2008 10:02PM

I'm willing to give it a try....

Nathaniel @ Jul 15th 2008 1:39AM

Agreed. Although we don't really have much of a choice now do we?

That said, I'm really liking the look of the new interface, more fluid and organic. The blades always felt cramped to me, not too sure why.

I do have one complaint though, based on those screens. Do all of the games really need the xbox 360 box top to them? I would think that if I were looking at playable games, you know, ON my 360, ON xbox live, I would kind of know what system they're for?

Kael @ Jul 14th 2008 10:19PM

The cartoony style is fine, but I don't really want to use one of those guys to represent me. I know it wouldn't be representative of me at all to use a badass action hero or a zombie dragon instead, but that's what I'd be interested in using over a dude in a polo shirt and jeans.

Hm, maybe it is or will be possible to outfit the avatars with really cool stuff they just didn't show yet. It sounds really stupid, but I'll probably stick with the gamerpicture most of the time until the avatars get to a certain level of cool.

Chris @ Jul 14th 2008 10:22PM

Avatars DO make this look kiddy/childish/immature, which is not the large majority of the 360 install base. Maybe if I could have a Gears of War fully rendered character as my character, then id be on board. Don't get me wrong, I love everything else MS did in this conference, i just HATE THE AVATARS!

rruss79 @ Jul 14th 2008 10:29PM

Personally, it looks ok to me and I see why MS had to do it. The PS3 and the Wii will have them and it attracts a different crowd which is what MS needs. Also with the new game show type games that are coming out, including games like Scene it and Lips which will probably use the avatars, I can see avatars playing a bigger role like they do with the Wii. As long as I do not lose speed and function with the new interface, I will be alright.

Personally I am surprise that MS has not utilize the camera so that you could put your face on the avatars like you can do with the gamerpics. I am sure something like that will be coming.

I also hope this means that MS is thinking about doing clan/group community things with the 360. The group chat is right up there, I just do not see it really being that difficult to setup a group/clan community within XBL. This would pretty much set the 360 as the standard for all to imitate on a console.

Co @ Jul 14th 2008 10:50PM

"The PS3 and the Wii will have them and it attracts a different crowd which is what MS needs."

Yea but attracts them to what?

"Oh look honey what a cool avatar of yourself! Let's fire up Gears and chop some bodies in half."

MS is in an identity crisis with 360 right now.
Just stick to the 70% T and M-rated game library and Mountain Dew.

ExMcCloud @ Jul 14th 2008 10:29PM

Cant wait for the new interface....Im glad thy're improving the design....Though the avatars look gay....I may end up liking them though we'll see.

ill trooper @ Jul 15th 2008 2:34AM

"Everyone's a little gay" is how the saying goes... Don't be shocked if you start getting "curious" about downloading new shirts and outfits for your avatar.

Army Fork @ Jul 14th 2008 10:38PM

I think this would have been better: http://thefanboys.com/2008/07/01/dreaming-of-dashboard-20/

He makes a good point about how the blades waste space, and how the advertising is really insulting considering we already PAY for XBL. I prefer the Fanboys design, it's simple and efficient, what else do you need? I even like the look of it.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jul 14th 2008 10:38PM

Well this whole event just proved how insecure some gamers are.

Co @ Jul 14th 2008 11:02PM

AMEN.

And put in question the age or at least mental age of these Joystiq commenters.

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jul 15th 2008 12:02AM

@Co

He was talking about you. You are a very insecure gamer. It's all or nothing with yourself and the Wii.

Joystiq does neutral story about the Wii - You say it's bias
Commenter is critical of Nintendo - You call them names and insult them
Unrelated Joystiq post - You make it a point to praise the Wii and bash the other regardless of the truth
YOU PUT anyone with a comment other than complete brown nosing down and make it appear that they hate the Wii

Hell anytime I mention that my Wii only is used by my children you make it out like it's an attack on Nintendo

Vidikron (FU) @ Jul 14th 2008 10:41PM

The avatars don't bother me. As for the other dash changes, I'm going to have to withhold judgement till I use it. From the pictures it looks like it could be more cumbersome, but there's just no way to know for sure without using it. I just want to know where they're going to sneak their ads in.