When Microsoft unleashes the New Xbox Experience (NXE) for the Xbox 360 tomorrow as a mandatory system update, it will be the first major overhaul of the user interface since the system's 2005 launch. The earlier biannual updates offered only tweaks as it added functionality, but the NXE takes an axe to it, replacing the old "blade" UI in favor of what can best be described as the love child of the PlayStation 3's XrossMediaBar (rotated 90 degrees) and iTunes' CoverFlow.
I was lucky enough to be selected for the last group of beta testers before Wednesday's launch, and after spending a weekend with the new UI I've come up with quick tour along with some observations.
* Download and installation. For such a major overhaul, only 3-4 minutes elapsed between the initial "mandatory update" alert on the old blade UI to the introductory video for the NXE. The time of day I downloaded it -- early evening Friday -- and the fact Microsoft had done some pre-install as part of an earlier update undoubtedly reduced how long the process took, but the major factor was probably that the beta participants could be counted in the thousands, not millions. When the update is pushed live tomorrow, you can expect all the Xbox 360 users slamming the servers to increase your download time.
* The avatars. The NXE gives you numerous options to customize your on-screen representative. There are 90 hairstyles that can be applied to either gender, 45 types of eyes (including some weird comic-strip dots) and 17 ways you can sport facial hair, as well as various options for ears, noses, chins and mouths. You can also adjust the avatar's height and body type, and then pick skin color and moles.
Once you've created the character, it's time to go all Barbie on him and pick out a wardrobe. There are 36 tops to choose from, ranging from a Cobain-esque T-shirt to a high school hoodie, and 18 types of pants and jeans. (There are only two options for shorts, which may be due to the fact that it's November.) You can then pick footwear, glasses, makeup and accessories. You can even embrace your inner Kutcher and put a trucker cap on your avatar. (The other avatars will make fun of him, though.)
Despite all these options, you'll most likely end up creating a character that looks like he/she works either at Hot Topic or Abercrombie & Fitch.
* The user interface layout. There are eight main channels in the NXE, stacked atop each other: Welcome; Spotlight; My Xbox; Game Marketplace; Video Marketplace; Friends; Inside Xbox; and Events. As you scroll up or down, the options available under each heading fan out to the right which you can move to and click on. Your username and gamer picture are displayed in the upper-right corner, with your Gamerscore and Friend/Message alerts rotating just below.
Welcome. An introduction to the NXE that briefly talks about the new available features, such as avatars, parties and community games. Once you've gotten all the info from it you need, you can hide it from the main listing, cutting your vertical options to seven.
Spotlight. If you remember the big block ads on the old UI, these will look familiar. They are just highlights of new games or movies you can buy/download, contests, or other features Microsoft wants to promote, such as the "Game with Fame" opportunities that let you compete online with famous (?) people.
My Xbox. This is where you access your games, music, video and picture libraries, as well as go to the game currently in the disc drive and fiddle with system settings.
The channel's default up-front window shows what game disc you currently have in the system. If it's a 360 title, a representative snapshot of it will be shown, which is much cooler than the simple line of text shown at the bottom of the old UI. (Last-gen Xbox games still have just the line of text.) Clicking A on it will go to the disc, allowing you to play it normally, while clicking Y brings up details of the game, such as available downloadable content, Achievements and a description and tech specs for the game.
Clicking Y also gives you the option of installing a game to your 360 hard drive. The potential benefit to this is a reduction in load times. A definite benefit is that once it's installed, the game doesn't have to access the DVD itself, which means the DVD drive and fans don't have to turn on. While it's still not as whisper-quiet as the PS3, it no longer sounds like a jet engine.
The downside is that these games are quite large to install. As a test, I installed 'Grand Theft Auto 4.' It took about 12 minutes -- not bad at all -- but it also took 6.8 GB of the available 8 GB of space on my hard drive. If you're a gamer who can commit to a single game, not changing it until you've either completed it or given up, this isn't bad. However, if you suffer from Gaming ADD like me and enjoy rotating around several games at the same time, you're either going to get tired of installing and deleting, or you're going to need to buy the 120GB hard drive for $150. As hindrance to piracy, you have to have the game disc in the system to play it off the HD. You can expect this to be cracked by hackers by lunchtime.
The second window in the My Xbox channel lets you adjust your Xbox Live account, alter your avatar, read messages and customize your 360 "desktop." You can also see your Gamerscore and Achievements for each game you've ever played, and the last time you played them.
The other windows in the channel link to your libraries and settings. The content looks identical to what was available in the old UI, but just in a different format.
Game Marketplace. The channel's default up-front window will take you into the marketplace itself where you can download/buy games, gamer pictures and themes. A new vertical stack of options gives you access to the various types of content, including the new Community Games that have been created by small dev teams (or just a single person) and submitted to Microsoft. Expect a lot of puzzle games and shooters initially, with more complicated games to follow as the pool of developers expands.
The other windows in the Game Marketplace array will promote specific titles or more general categories, such as Top Arcade Games or Community Games. At the very end of the channel is a shortcut to your Game Library.
Video Marketplace. Like the Game Marketplace, but for movies, TV shows and music videos. This channel is also where you can access Netflix's live streaming (actual Netflix account required). The channel ends with a shortcut to your Video Library.
Friends. The avatars of the people on your Friends List are displayed, with their names in little bubbles over their heads. (If they're offline, the avatars look to be asleep.) People who have not yet updated to the NXE have black silhouettes where their avatars will end up. Clicking on a friend brings up the same info as in the old UI: Gamerscore, last game played, their zone. As before, you can send messages or chat.
Inside Xbox. Here is you get the videos that are more about the gaming lifestyle than specific titles, as well as links to videos about strategy and production of major titles. At the end of the channel is a link to an archive of more free videos, including tips from gaming site IGN, briefs from Xbox Live Community Manager Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, and features from the people at Official Xbox Magazine.
Events. Upcoming special events, such as gaming with celebrities or with specific communities. For example, one of the currently-promoted events is GamerchiX Ladies Night on Nov. 24, for female gamers. It helps to build community by allowing you to not have to socialize with people you wouldn't want to in the real world. There are promos for groups for older gamers and those with specific tastes, as well as for individual games.
* The Guide button. Pressing the bulbous silver button with a green X on it brings up a small bladed window you can use as shortcuts to most options. You can visit the marketplaces, your libraries, your profile and Friend/Party lists. The option to shut down your system is on the last blade, Settings.
http://blogs.indystar.com/geek/2008/11/nxe_preview.html
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