Xbox 360 gets avatar system, new dashboard

Damn Casual gamers, first they ruin Halo, then the dashboard. What are they going to ruin next?

I have all three consoles but something I've always wondered about is why the console that has a subscription fee is also the only one with ghastly advertisements all over the interface.

Yeah no Motion Control thats all good but MS FFXIII how could you?

This is scarying me cause frankly I like my gamerpic and I don't wanna do so gay looking Avatar.

Hey when is this new dashboard getting released?

well i think its a great idea. Yeah it might look a little childish and not appealing to hardcore gamers, but i always say that a little change is good once in a while. I mean its gonna be three years since the launch this year and i think the blade system, although easy to use, is a little outdated now.

Don't Worry, Microsoft won't let us down. Bill Gates always has something incredible up his sleeve and im sure this update is gonna be great. Just be patient adn stop complaining.

You're all missing the point. Japanese loves those little Avatars and that is one reason why the Wii has been killing XB over the past year. It is obvious they are trying to bring in the Asian market with something they feel comfortable with.

I like it, it adds a little more of a personal touch to friends and my own dashboard.

How is this even *possible*? I've read a huge wad of comments on this post and it seems the general response has been a negative one with concerns about refunds of old themes, with "wii-fication" of the dash and concerns about the 3D avatars. Who did they confer with to decide this was a great idea?

I like the idea but from what I can see of screenshots on the web it looks really underdesigned. I was hoping for something more inspired from the original xbox GUI, if slicker and quicker. At least it looked less toy-like than this, or even the default 360 dash. And like many people reading these comments I DON'T want to see childish 3D avatars polluting my xbox experience. If I wanted that, I would buy a Wii. The interface looks like a nintendo fanboy got hold of it.

How is this even *possible*? I've read a huge wad of comments on this post and it seems the general response has been a negative one with concerns about refunds of old themes, with "wii-fication" of the dash and concerns about the 3D avatars. Who did they confer with to decide this was a great idea?

I like the idea but from what I can see of screenshots on the web it looks really underdesigned. I was hoping for something more inspired from the original xbox GUI, if slicker and quicker. At least it looked less toy-like than this, or even the default 360 dash. And like many people reading these comments I DON'T want to see childish 3D avatars polluting my xbox experience. If I wanted that, I would buy a Wii. The interface looks like a nintendo fanboy got hold of it.

Fuck this I am AFRAID OF CHANGE.

This is Utter Pony and a complete waste of time!

I use my 360 for playing games (shock!) and have no issue with the current Dashboard the way it is. Miis, Avatars, Themes, whatever YAWN YAWN YAWN.

Life is far too short for that sh!t.

Pointless really!

Well, guys... let's all wait and see what happens... The new interface may end up not being so terrible. However, I've grown to love the current one quite a deal, and in spite of being fairly open minded, the changes MS have decided to make do make me worry slightly. I'm afraid it won't feel the same to turn on my Xbox 360 in the future - afraid I might love my Xbox 360 less.....To everyone out there who feels the same: We can handle this! The 360 is still number 1! It all comes down to the gaming at the end of the day! Remember that! It'll all be ok...

The new dashboard looks great but I would still like to see it in motion. Microsoft are, as usual, 10 steps ahead of Sony this generation!

I think the new design, looks hip. But I dont think its an original idea. To me this looks a lot like Coverflow, on the macs and iTunes.

The Avatar idea I like it, I like it better than the mii's the mii's are cool, but these avatars look better.

I like the primetime idea, and I like the idea of installing the games on the hd, because some games could use the extra speed on loading times.

The only question remains is, when is this update happening?

I also liked the Primetime Live Game... that thing looks cool.

As part of the new dashboard update they should add a web browser like both the ps3 and wii have.

its sooo ugly s#*t too me love the current one DONT change it

Um just wondering may sound like a noob question but how will this new dashboard get on the 360 will uahve to download it off of xbl r will it automatically come on one day?

Some one please tell me

Tom ROth

The new interface looks fine, but all forms of avatars (Miis includeD) are ridiculous and unnecessary. Good thing I can just stick to good ol' custom gamerpics.

i like this.
its clean and simple
very minimalist

So How Will Our Old Dashboard Be Updated. Do We Go Into Marketplace And Download This New Dashboard? How Will We Switch Between The Two?

i want the new features like dashboard party but i want the old look no stupid avatars. if i wanted the wii i would have bought one instead.

"Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it’s not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game."

Sorry, but that doesn't read optional to me. It still says we have to deal with the new interface. I don't want to have to deal with it at all. If every new feature every released was optional, the world would be an awesome place. This is the one and only 360 update I as of right now, hate.

I have always had the idea that the xbox and xbox 360 console was for the mature gamers, with its vast variety of m related games, shooters, and bloodshed, i was not anticipating such a childish dashboard. but on the other hand it could be a plus, bringing new gamers into to the community

WTF Mate...

No seriously, what is this crap? I get the need for a new design when they're trying to shoehorn new features into the old one and mucking up the arcade side of things a while back. That's all fine and good, and although I dislike the new design, hopefully it isn't as bad as it looks. What's getting me is the new avatars. Seriously? That's some major bullshit right there.

With this new dashboard there are only two directions so it'll be easier to navigate like XMB. Hopefully they include dynamic wallpapers like PS3 too. I'm looking forward to the changes.

However if they continue charging for tiny things that are not only free on PS3 but are open to personal uploads Halo will lose start losing more and more attention. There are plenty of games on PS3 now for Microsoft to continue being rich jerks who beg for change.

Seriously I can make any design I want for my XMB and load it with a USB pendrive, even explicit icons and wallpaper, because it's my console that I look at everyday, it doesn't belong to Sony anymore! And neither should my Xbox feel like it's on loan from Microsoft.

The avatars are optional and that 1 vs 100 thing was part of the new Primetime thing where your avatars are in the 1 vs 100 show and they compete for real prizes. That sounds cool. Also to all the people asking how do we get it, it will probably be an automatic update like when the marketplace blade was created.

The new slides look good but the avatars are just stupid it will just turn away the hardcore gamers. Who play Halo and other games where you go round killing.


If you want something far a 2 year old buy a wii its cheap and it will be in the attic next to that old 64 in a few months.

For people saying this look is ripped off apple or PS3
this look was used for windows media center before apple or ps3 thought of using it
Soo shadup

So whens all this new Dashboard happenin

I really am excited for th is new development, i love the new look but its going to take time getting into the hole avatar thing.

2 who called it a rip off of mii's : mii's werent the 1st avatars. and since xbox was the 1st to revolutionise online gaming for consoles by makin it great, so sayin xbox avatars are a rip off is like sayin psn and wii's online play stuff is a ripp off.

Dasboard looks ok but avatars are annoying :(

Hello all, I just flew in from nerd-land to bring you all releif (except for that PS3 humper on page 1)

There seems to be a LOT of confusion around this, so ill sum up the next bit o wall here:

Bye blades hi blades.

On to buisness. the new dashboard has an 8 player party system: This is like Halo 3's party system, in the sense that you stay party'd up after the game. thats the only comparison, really. while in this party, you will be chatting with all 8 of your freinds. (or however many you have in that party)

If they play a game you dont own, you will A: be brought to a screen where you can buy it(for arcade games) or B: (i dont know what happens if you dont have the CD)

Either way, you'll still be connected with chat. think having 7 other people (8 total) in private chat with you SIMALTANEOUSLY. this is both heaven and hell, depending largely on your freinds.

As for my summary, let me explain: the blades will be forever banished from your main screen, but a similar version will be availiable in the new guide bar! it has less options and less flexibility than the main screen, but its meant to be used as a shortcut tab.

the new system uses a plus schematic. think of it like this:

you have files going vertically. they show their contents horizontally. its actually incredibly similar to the old blade system. This is hard to explain, and im sure your eyes are bleeding by now, so ill leave this for you to see.

Just to let you know, You can use gamerpics INSTEAD of your avatar, but you'll still need them.

The new avatars will be used with several 'game shows' that will be released with the update. (I believe they are free, think wheel of fortune)

Also, The backgrounds will still work, so youre not losing anything.

NOTHING. (I tried to break up my text so it was readable, srry!)

SOURCE: OXM MAGAZINE OCTOBER EDITION (like i said, im a nerd)

Ill check back in a few days and try to answer any more questions. YOU LOSE NOTHING!

@ Fireproofjeans. Thanks for the info. Im having trouble finding much about this. They are doing the xbox live updates in a few minutes. But do you know when the new stuff will be active? Thanks again.

Its going to be the same thing as Wii but still FREAKIN ALSOME!!!!!!!!!! CAnt Wait

This avatar update is going to make me hate microsoft for bringing out a rip off version of th Mii characters.
i mean Xbox 360 is way better than wii and ps3 but now it's just sucking up and now they are going to make the xbox look sooooooo gay

this dashboard is probably the dumbest thing ive seen ever. i loved the blades. now they just copy wii and give us a gay avatar?!?! i mean wow Microsoft this is a very very very dumb idea. im disappointed. . .

this reminds me exactly of the wii and the ps3 kinda lame.

this is the best thing tht happend to xbox i think .... but every one has different opions!

i think the new dashbaord is well mint and xbox 360 ownz ps3 are rubbish and shud die.



XBOX 360 ownz all other consolez and if u not got xbox live u need 2 get it or ull miss out on this well mint dashbaord