New Xbox Experience: 'Friends Channel' and 'Themes 2.0' screens, details

by Randy Nelson on Sep 26th 2008 7:00PM

click to enlarge

Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog crew has delivered another in its series of glimpses inside the forthcoming New Xbox Experience. This week's update – sadly sans-video – focuses in on the Friends Channel and what MS is calling "Themes 2.0" – 3D UI make-overs that extend beyond simple wallpaper by bringing themed elements into the interface itself.

It's fitting that both NXE elements are in the spotlight together, since one (the themes) directly affects the other (the friends list). You can browse the latest batch of related screens in the gallery below, and read some insider highlights of how this changes the Xbox Experience at the Gamerscore Blog.

New Xbox Experience (Themes)

Source

Tags: avatars, new-xbox-experience, NXE, themes-2.0, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (52)

Channels? Oh boy...

Boy channels? I doubt it.

yea seriously, why are they calling them Channels? i mean i know Nintendo doesn't own the term 'Channels' but they are already using it with the Wii. i thought it was common courtesy to come up with another name for similar products (ex. Achievements/Trophies).

You have to take into consideration that the idea of calling each section a "Channel" most likely comes from the fact that the console is being output to a TV. An average/casual users would relate better to "Channels" on a TV than say calling them "Tabs" (as someone mentioned below, relates more to web browsers), "Blades" (which they no longer look like anymore), etc.

I know SOME of us are in the habit of just assuming MS copied EVERYTHING (Yes, I believe the popularity of the Wii influenced the creation of Avatars) from somebody else but sometimes we need to use common sense to see if there are any other logical reasons behind their choices. The word "Channel" was not created specifically for game consoles.

Just a thought.

... AND if you're interested in the NXE, they've just uploaded 3 videos that I haven't seen featured anywhere: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/nxe/

If you watch the videos, you'll see some new glimpses of how the menus move. I'm amazed at how the new Friends "Channel" scrolls incredibly fast and it's an early build.

That theme is cool.

I like the orange theme.

The theme 2.0 idea is a lot better than just keeping it with the plain gray into infinity... but I'm still on the fence about whether or not I'm excited about this.

Im also on then fence. But I really am not a big fan of the setup now, its functional but lacks polish. This will at least be a change of scenery.

im on the couch.....not sure where that leaves my decision though

How can you be 'on the fence' about excitement? Either you're excited, or you're not excited. It's not a decision, it's an emotion.

In case you were wondering, if you don't know if you're excited; you're not excited.

sure has a hell of a lot more polish than the current x-game reject layout

I'm more excited about this than Home.

Why?

Because I know that the chances of the Live upgrade actually appearing on time (or even at all) are pretty good.

Rim shots, cymbal kick.

This is definitely ugly... More I see it the more ugly I think it is.

Channels? Really?
Should call it Station or tabs.
Just stay away from the Wii relations.

The zune has channels...so it's not necessarily based on the Wii.

Stations would be okay...but tabs sound like a web browser.

I am not so sure on the new friends list. I hope they still have a text based list of your friends.

Friends Channel.

*facepalm*

Guessing this is the 360's answer to the ps3's home?

I see this brought up a fair amount of times...

I don't see it... Can you explain how it has anything to do with it?

Just a guess man...

It's ridiculous enough that we're paying for jpeg backgrounds right now called "Themes".

I wonder how much "Themes 2.0" will cost us, now that it contains 3d modeling, graphics and animation.

You pay for them?

I get 'em for free. The best themes and pics are free.

Depends Hala, I mean the only ones I see that are free are the themes/gamerpics over movies, tv shows and the sponsored events, groups, etc. I went and downloaded most of the ones I could get on the marketplace and found that most of them "sucked". Well, they just lacked creativity. Occasionally, we get some good ones like the Hope Runs Deep theme (for free) but those types are pretty rare. All I'm hoping for soon is the ability to add our own gamerpics, now that would be sweet!

Yes Gamerpics would be sweet. The walrus would definitely make the transfer. Unfortunately I think they dont allow it because people could potentially put explicit material on them.... and they like making money off of them.

Wait? You actually pay for themes? What kind of fucked up individual are you?

@ Vegeta

Being a strictly(so far) no-dlc person, I once had a spare 200 points from the Terminator offer, and I admit I did buy a theme. That Halo 3 theme sucked compared to free GoW themes though!

Also, it does suck having to pay for themes, but I don't care.MS just let me pick a different picture for every blade as opposed to choosing one for all of them and I'll be happy.

Custom Themes ftw!

i dont get how everyone is complaining about paying $1-$2 for themes...when i have those spare points...like 120 MS points, and i can't really buy anything, like a rock band song, i'll buy themes, gamer pics on the other hand, i don't buy, because i make my own with the Vision Camera

On the topic of gamerpics, i read on MundoRare that in the 16 page NXE edition of some gaming magazine, a microsoft rep confirmed that gamer pics can put on your shirts, but you have to use an avatar

You know...when you people have a spare hundred or 200 points you uhh..don't have to spend it. There's simply no excuse for wasting money on themes or gamerpics, specially when you can download user-made ones on PS3 for free.

Avenger! Get Birdman coffee!

Wii60 anyone?

Dont say that >_>
Microsoft didn't copy anyone, these were made before the Mii remember? You'll be downvoted and the fanboys will be linking the articles and sites telling you that these avatars are older than the Miis.

^irony

Guess the theme in the picture is called "At Home in the Ghetto."

DAMN, you beat me to it! I was going more for Ghetto Miis...

WEST SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE *flashes retarded gang signs*

Meh... I will be changing it back to the blades if and when possible. I prefer boring menus with lists and columns. I'm really not interested in a pretty looking interface; all I want is the quickest way to get to into the game and send messages. Remember, the shortest way between two points is a straight line.

unless you're using a globe

True, but if you dig a hole to China that's still technically the shortest distance. Anyways, I do not like this NXE... I am resistant to change...

You do know that there is a setting to launch games as soon as the box is on right? Completely skips going to the dash.

already looking better than the Miis

updates are updates its something new , i could careless if the devil himself made them .

I like the look of the new themes.

Geepers! I wonder I sent in the tip for this story? Hmmmm?

Looks pretty kiddiefied if you ask me. Looks like Microsoft are trying to just copy Nintendo now, in the hope they can grab some of nintendo's success..

Expect 360 pony stroking soon, with wireless comb...

that'd be good, i can finally interact with my ponies in Barbies Horse Adventure!!!!!!!!

I believe you'll still be able to see a icon/textual version when you press the Guide button and the "mini-blades" popup.

I am glad though that from the videos I've seen the Avatar-based friend's list scrolls extremely fast.

Please don't let this new "dashboard experience" be mandatory to display.

I know I can't get around the actual update,but please don't make me stare at that 2nd grade bullshit every time I load up my Xbox. I'm fine with the regular dashboard,thank you.

Sorry, can't change it that I know of. Got to keep that design once the update is downloaded. Poop, I know.

I'm still not feeling the whole Avatar thing. I'm also not entirely keen on the new look but I will have to cope with it because I can't change to the original design.
Also, what if I use my own images as my themes? Will they work?

Looking back at the image gallery, it saddens me that Avatars are _eventually_ be mandatory to replace gamerpics.

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New Xbox Experience: 'Friends Channel' and 'Themes 2.0' screens, details

New Xbox Experience (Themes)

Reader Comments (52)

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