this is how your themes will look
I think the most exciting thing to come out from E3 this year, regarding the Xbox 360, was hands down the announcement of the
Xbox Experience.
For those of you who don't know, the way you interact with the current dashboard will be overhauled into a brand new user interface. With the addition to redoing the interface, you will now be able to create avatars to personalize your identity on Xbox Live. The avatars will be used for various things and other stuff Nintendo wish they would have thought of.
the marketplace was in need of a huge make over
While I could careless about the avatars, I think the new look of the dashboard is amazing. Yes, I said it, AMAZING! As most gamers, I love getting new stuff and this re-imagining is like getting a new piece of hardware. Not only will it clean up the bloated Marketplace, but it's going to give Xbox 360 users a new way to interface with their console. Granted it' will still serve the same purpose as it does now, but it will feel brand new and refreshing.
I like the fact that the avatars are there for people who want to use them and it seems like they won't be something that is mandatory. I do think it would be awesome if Microsoft could somehow give you accessories or clothing for your avatars for completing such things like, oh I don't know, getting achievements? I hope they implement a system that awards you stuff and not only points when you get achievement in games. It would actually give achievements a new meaning besides the large epeen that I throw of my shoulder from time to time. Imagine having a avatar who wields a Lancer from
Gears of War 2. How awesome would that be? You are correct, only awesome if I could use the Lancer to cut other avatars in half.
what it looks like when it's time to play a game
I have always looked forward to the 2 times a year when Microsoft adds more functionality to the dashboard and was disappointed when they foregone this Spring's update. Lucky for me, we are getting something bigger, better, and more exciting. I look forward with open arms to the new update and hope I'm not alone in my enthusiasm.
Don't fear the change, embrace it.
[Source of pictures thanks to Marjor Nelson]
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You going to bring yourself to our PS3 Friday Night Fights? Evar? Or Poker? C'mon chump.
Also I agree..I like the clean interface but the avatars are gay.
I think one of the best parts about it though which a lot of people missed is that this new UI is supposed to be faster to navigate, and will get rid of that lagginess you get while navigating around the blades and the marketplace. That's always bothered me with the current iteration of Live.
Notice how there are absolutely no ads in those theme pics? I wonder if it'll stay that way... Regardless, it's looking nice, and I too missed having an update this Spring...
Still would like this as an option though.
...With the noises.
LOL. Man, my roommate was saying that this should have been an option instead of the new look. It's funny that you mentioned this.
I don't see the old themes being compatible with the new XBL so will they allow us to download the new ones for free?
Does anyone else other than me even care?
I care! I'm pretty sure they stated that the old themes and gamer pics will work with the new UI. I think the first picture on this post is what they said it's going to look like. So your main picture will just be pushed to the back behind the windows. I think it looks a million times better. I guess as you go to different categories the picture could still change.
I'm definitely interested in messing around with not-Home using my not-Mii. Ill be even more excited if they kind of built a "game" around being in not-Home. I DEFINITELY want there to be an Achievement/Unlockable aspect to this.
Aside from that specific point though, everything about this update (from cleaner looks to optional game installs) is fucking awesome!
I think they should also give you a shirt that is blank and has a spot on the back or front that you can put your old gamer pics on.
Well, I guess if you want to play around with the avatars, then sure, that would be a reasonable request. As a person who wants as little to do as possible with those things (read: disable them completely so I don't even see other people's avatars), I would prefer them to give me an option to show something more neutral or customized to my tastes or games.
Why not have the OPTION though, why the hell does everyone hate options so much?
@ Avatar haters
So all of the avatar haters are telling me basically, is that when something like The Dark Knight comes to the Marketplace, you're not going to want a little BatBale avatar or a Joker avatar? You people do not enjoy fun that is being given to you for free.
The avatars are MODELED fine. Its just the damn heads and facial expressions. I'd personally be up for something more cartoon'y, googley eyes style and not cutesy.
Unrelated
Seriously. I'd like a variation like the old Matrix green XBOX dashboard back with those sounds. As I said, no joke. That theme was awesome.
I'm not sure I care all that much for the dashboard design, but I'll wait and see once it's in motion on my TV.
The whole party feature is pretty bitchin' though
If they let me replace those Playmobil characters with something awesome like Batman, Joker, Dante, Ryu Hayabusa... then I would actually use it.
As it stands now, though, I really don't want to use or see them. All I ask is for the option to disable them.
I agree that if they started unlocking items from games for achievements (like the Lancer) that would be nice...I could have a Gambit-style pack of deadly Uno cards, or I could make my attack pinantas tear you apart, or roll into and out of cover while Dom is shouting, then take out your Miivatar (I'm putting in for copyright) with a Spartan Laser...
I think the only thing MS should really regret is that "In the Movies" thing...That just looks re-fucking-tarded.
It wasn't a banner year at E3, I think it seems worse because big devs/pubs pulling out of the event. I can't say I'm dissapointed with MS showing. If only they could get Namco to put Tekken on the 360....