The new Xbox 360 dashboard in motion: still sucks

Written by Dan Zuccarelli

Tuesday, 15 July 2008 15:09

So you readers out there are probably starting to notice I have a new whipping boy in the video game world... and it's the redesigned 360 interface and the (ugh) Avatars. I'll be ranting and raving about it like a lunatic for the next few months, so Wii fanboy's will probably be getting a break for the time being. I'm like the huge glowing Eye of Sauron, I can only seem to focus on one thing at a time.

What I can't figure out is why they found it a good idea to waste so much screen space. Everything just seems to float in the middle of the screen with tons of grey nothing in the background (ad space perhaps?) Have they looked at this on a SD tv? I have a feeling those on smaller sets will have an honest to good problem seeing it. Oh and white text against a grey background? Brilliant. The Avatars are something separate and it pisses me off to think about them so I best just leave it alone. But I'll say this: they fucking suck. God help those of you with tons of friends, having to look at a bunch of puppets bouncing about trying to get a "party" together.

It's really weird that they always seem to refer to any group on this thing as a "party." Reminds me of when I watch Cathouse on HBO and the hooker refers to what they do as a "party" when all they really mean is someone's about to pay for sex.

Now this video below shows it all in motion. I didn't like it when they first showed it at the Microsoft press conference, and seeing this just re-affirmed it. Maybe it changes your mind, maybe you like it even more. I know some people out there are going to agree with me and some aren't.

I really and truly want to hear some opinions on the matter, so even though you don't usually comment do me a favor and chime in.

Comments (20) Add Comment

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written by Miles Moore, July 16, 2008

When I heard about the new dashboard, I wasn't sure about it. I don't see anything wrong with the actual dashboard, and the fact that it is a required update and you can't go back to the old way if you want sucks....

I do like how the blades are now the basis for the 360 guide, but still. I think the new dashboard looks very bland and really crappy. but whatever... as long as it works well...then I'm ok with it. I just wish that I can use the old dashboard if I wanted to.

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written by Oni, July 16, 2008

Well, let's break this down a bit, shall we? From Nintendo, they've lifted their Avatar system and the channel moniker, and from the PS3 they've lifted the Xmedia bar. Great job, MS. You've successfully ripped off both of your competitors and created something that is far more clunky than your previously very intuitive blade system. Bravo.

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written by OH, July 16, 2008

I actually like it a lot. It's pretty similar to the Media Center and Zune UI, which is fine by me because both are great. I liked the Blades, but it's time for a change.

The avatars I could live without, though.

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written by Katana, July 16, 2008

While I like the Blade system, the new UI doesn't seem terrible either.

Also there's a simple solution to the Avatars, they're optional so if you don't like them don't use one.

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written by Muffin Man, July 16, 2008

While the new dashboard might not be the most amazing thing ever, you've still got the blades on the guide button so atleast you can go back to them. And you can do everything on this current dashboard on the new guide button, I think.

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written by tbahnck, July 16, 2008

I think the UI looks better. Looks similar to cover flow in OS X, surprise surprise. The avatars thing is just retarded and inviting a lawsuit, but it's not uncharacteristic of Microsoft to copy an idea and make it "better".

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written by Random Disease, July 16, 2008

About the whole avatars thing, I thing it sucks and it will only appeal to the Wii/Casual/Retard crowd which probably don't even own a 360 to begin with. But it will be all fine if they fix the backwards compatibility issue that prevents Panzer Dragoon Orta (the pal version) to work beyond level 3. If that happens, I'll suck Microsoft's dick out of pure joy.

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written by Bkay, July 17, 2008

I HATE avatars. I really really really really hope i can just keep my gamerpicture, after all some of us paid for that picture!! I don't care a lot about leaving the blade system cuz i'll get used to this new system. But still, who came with the idea of putting white lettters on a grey background? c'mon!

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written by Grim Santo, July 21, 2008

Not sure why people are saying that Microsoft stole the XMB from Sony. It has more in common with Media Center from Vista. In fact most of the Media Center have had that look. I think its fine myself. also the Blade system is still being used, its just move to the guide. As for the Avatars, not a fan but your not force to used them. You can stick stick with your gamerpic.

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written by Lurchalot, August 04, 2008

Wow i cant belive they are trying to fix something that isnt broken!! Ok first off i hate the new interface its bland and boring. I love the blades system, to me its what makes the xbox360 unique, and the backgrounds that i have purchased are they lost forever? those are really awesome. Anyway I hate the avatars! Great idea MS!! If i wanted a wii i would have bought one. Please let this be an optional update!!! If not ms has lost alot of points in my book!!

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written by joe, August 17, 2008

shows how "innovative" microsoft is trying to become by copying its competitors completely, especially with the wii. They're even copying the wiimote....how the hell do you copy nintendo after publically saying that the wii was going to fail before its release due to its gimicks.....

i don't care how great some xbox 360 exclusives are, i can't spend money on people who claim better than its competitors by acting this way...

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written by Yfrlwf, November 19, 2008

When I found out I couldn't just sit down and play a game, that I was forced to create an "avatar", I felt like throwing the controller through the screen.

Nintendo makes it an *option*, Microsoft makes it a requirement.

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written by Yfrlwf, November 19, 2008

@joe: Welcome to Microsoft. You should find out about all the other stuff they've done.

I don't mind sharing ideas, I think that's good, but MS always goes further and back stabs, mocks, threatens, and in general acts like total asshats. The only things they're really good at are spending money, filing lawsuits, writing contracts, and taking over companies.

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written by Yfrlwf, November 19, 2008

oh, and throwing chairs.

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written by Alex, November 20, 2008

Oh god its suck so bad like you have three choice when you want to buy a console A PS3 (Expensive good graphic but still unfinish) a Xbox360(Good graphic for the price and a lot of exclusivity But its also made for gamer like the Ps3) and you have the wii ( If you want to just play like a little kid that for you) But with that ugly dashboard microsoft try to copy Wii and thats really bad because the sibling customer us who had buy this console want a gamer experience not a wii experience so if they want to compete with Nintendo they have to make an edition like Xbox 360 Kids or something like this come on ...

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written by sdfiu, November 20, 2008

I don't like it.. I would prefer an option to switch back to the blade system.

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written by Baker, November 20, 2008

I have absolutely no interest in using an avatar. And I resent M$ forcing me to have to represent myself on xbox live as a frickin 3d puppet. Why do this? How much of my drive space is being taken up with something I don't even want? and Why couldn't you make this an optional feature?
Really, other than the avatar crap, its the same basic system. Party mode is just a glorified chatroom and they rearranged the way the info is organized. But yet they still can't include a web browser. LAME!!!!

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written by TheBBPS.com (Bits, Bytes, Pixe, November 20, 2008

[...] Dan has been staunchly opposed to the NXE since hearing avatars wouldn’t be optional, I’ve tried to keep an open mind. Sure, [...]

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written by shawn, November 20, 2008

There are two things I dislike about the new dashboard:

When viewing video and audio folders, there is less information displayed in the list at any one time.

Avatars look childish and detract from the experience, we are not all 12 years old here.

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written by pb, November 21, 2008

l fraking hate it... i also hate that it was shoved down my gullet... I already have wi.
If i wanted MMPC would build a one. let me go back to the simple large easy to read interface... if i had know it was coming and known it looked like this I would have not allowed it. I do not game online. xbox live i could live without. besides i refuse to pay with all the adds that are on the console.
no adds, be happy to pay. other wise,blow.
o well guess i'll trade it in on a ps 3... is a shame.
enjoyed having a gaming console.
bought the 360 because it was a gaming console and had more games
i like that ps3 when it came out...