E308: Dashboard with themes, downloads and launch area

Major Nelson just added a trio of images to his flickr account outlining examples of how the new dashboard redesign will retrofit existing Xbox 360 themes, a more detailed download page for content on the Xbox Live Marketplace and an example of a game specific launch page. Microsoft has promised the new dashboard will still allow themes -- as seen in the image above -- and we anticipate the photo will change based on the area of the dashboard you visit.

For images, and an analysis of the images for downloads and specific titles jump in.

The new download area for content is completely overhauled with the ability to add more information regarding the download for a specific game. Scrolling through each piece of content displays the window of information, reducing the amount of button presses it takes to jump into purchasing or learning more. We'd hope the new design would allow for a full display of gamer pictures, but with the new Avatar system we doubt it's a focus.

The game specific launch center adds everything from access to (what we expect are) streaming trailers, screenshots and description of the game selected. Demo download and launch appears to be included in the game specific page and the Play Now function could be an option made available when a game is inserted or added to the harddrive, or always displayed and will outline the steps needed to be taken to play. You know. Put the game in somehow.

[Thanks, Drew]