New XBOX Experience (Goes Live Nov 19th)

[YSSMAN]

ITS HERE​

As of about 11pm on November 17th, I've been able to enjoy this new thing that they're calling the "New XBOX Experience." Basically, its a new fancy way of saying "lets copy Nintendo, throw in a hint of Sony, and tie it in with all the new Microsoft goodness."

Early impressions are good. It is a very slick interface, and its very fun creating your own avatar. I'm not happy about the near-certain addition of clothing and other apparel that will be bought with Microsoft points (who wants to bet there will be a Target one!?), but alas, if it makes money, its a wonderful idea. Nevertheless, it works well, and I'm surprised by how easy it is to make your avatar look like you... Or, what you think you look like... Or what you want to look like.

The new menu system takes the blade idea and pushes it to a new level. I like the way you have to scroll up and to the sides, visually it is a bit easier for people like my Mom or some of my girlfriends to find things (I assume), and it looks nice switching around on my HDTV. The "click" noises are a good touch as well, nothing too annoying, but certainly letting you know that you did something.

My biggest, most impressive thing out of the deal is the Netflix integration. My God, its awesome. All of my 40-ish movies came up in my que, played right away, and works without much of a hitch. I'm super impressed by it all, and if you don't have a Netflix subscription, this is a good time to think about getting one. They add new (good!) movies all the time... It is just awesome.

I think the only drawback here is going to be what kind of problems it could cause on the network. If they're already having issues with the origional system, it certainly could cause a few more with the way this is all working out. But, we'll have to see.

I'm very excited over this, and I can't wait to fiddle with it more tomorrow. Very slick indeed!

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Tomorrow is the big day. I am already planning on playing single player games just in case the transaction from old to new does not go well.
Some of the new features are already being transfered ever right now. I noticed you can download videos and games directly from your PC now. Bungie must have inspired them to to this becaue bungie has been doing this since Halo 3 came out over a year ago.

 

[nissan tuner]

I hope this new dashboard doesn't tank

 

[Leonidae]

so, they blatantly ripped off Home,that is going to be published soon as well? good job.. now, let's see how it crashes and burns since it's a copy of someone else's work.

 

[YSSMAN]

Its very clean and runs very smoothly, it doesn't feel nearly as "clunky" by comparison to its predecessor. Streaming video from my PC seems to go by a bit easier, and I'm eager to see what the downloading of the games to the HDD is like.

Like I said last night, the Netflix add-on is the big bonus here. My God, it works wonderfully, and I really like how quickly it updates when I change stuff around with my Netflix account. I think my only complaint with that feature is that it does not allow you to browse around on the service to find a movie you want, it only uses your Instant Que. Nevertheless, if you've got 10 Billion computers in your house like I do, its not much of a problem.

My hope is that if they can get it to work well, we'll see more of the big-budget movies come out on Netflix Instant earlier and earlier. Otherwise, we're still somewhat limited to older (a year or so) releases.

 

[Robin]

I was laughing so hard when I read on the net that all Sony owned films (which is a huge chunk of the worldwide movie catalogue) cannot be downloaded or streamed on the 360 through Netflix basically making this new movie functionality useless.

And some stupid fanboys have the gall to say oh Sony are being jerks etc etc... what they are doing is something which you would classically see MS pull and its about time they got some of their own medicine. PS owners have been screwed out of DLC, demos, games so much by mighty MS with its fat wallet and Sony made the right call to block all thier movies from being used on the 360 service. No doubt Sony will then do its own thing with its huge catalogue and expand the video service.

This was also one of the reasons why Blu Ray managed to dominate, the fact that Sony has such a grip on the movie market.

Robin

 

[nissan tuner]

I was laughing so hard when I read on the net that all Sony owned films (which is a huge chunk of the worldwide movie catalogue) cannot be downloaded or streamed on the 360 through Netflix basically making this new movie functionality useless.

oh my god, what's left to stream then??

This is a very smart move by sony

 

[V1P3R]

Tree'D

 

[Mark T]

Netflix is US only so will the rest of the world recieve something else in its place?

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

The xbox.com site is down and wont let me log in. Maybe I need to update first before I can log in to the site? I have a few single player games set aside for today because just like any other update, it never goes as suspected. I also imagine the online will take a few days to start running smooth.

 

[Joey D]

so, they blatantly ripped off Home,that is going to be published soon as well? good job.. now, let's see how it crashes and burns since it's a copy of someone else's work.

Wouldn't Home have to, you know, come out first? I'm beginning to doubt it will ever see the light of day. I don't see how it can be a rip off seeing as the Xbox dashboard actually hit the public first.

====

I haven't been able to get onto my Xbox yet this morning since I've been at work, but when I get home I'm excited to try it out. Looking around the net I'm finding a lot of Sony fanboy drivel about how much it sucks even though they haven't even played around with it. I hate this, if you are going to talk about one system compared to the other at least own both and be able to make an accurate judgement. Although there is plenty of Xbox fanboy drivel about how this is the greatest thing since sliced bread which I can't imagine is true considering it just came out and there are bound to be bugs.

I do think it's lame that Sony would block all their films, I hate when any company does something like that though since the only person being screwed over in all of this is the consumer. I don't use Netflix though as I get my films by other means, mainly the digital box for my cable which probably has 1,000 films on it to choose from and from my computer.

 

[jonboy1066]

Wouldn't Home have to, you know, come out first? I'm beginning to doubt it will ever see the light of day. I don't see how it can be a rip off seeing as the Xbox dashboard actually hit the public first.

====

I haven't been able to get onto my Xbox yet this morning since I've been at work, but when I get home I'm excited to try it out. Looking around the net I'm finding a lot of Sony fanboy drivel about how much it sucks even though they haven't even played around with it. I hate this, if you are going to talk about one system compared to the other at least own both and be able to make an accurate judgement. Although there is plenty of Xbox fanboy drivel about how this is the greatest thing since sliced bread which I can't imagine is true considering it just came out and there are bound to be bugs.

+1 All this fanboy drivel is just pathetic.

I've just woken up, (Night shift last night) downloaded the "Experience" and it all seems to work fine although I've not explored it that far I've made my avatar and had a chat with a mate in "Party" which has all worked perfectly. Just seems like a new look dashboard to me which is..................................fine.



I don't really understand all this critisism about "Netflix" I'd never heard of it before this thread, so not bothered about it, to me a Games console is for playing games on, I have Sky+ and a DVD player for films so it doesn't bother me in the slightest and messing around with new features that I don't need would just get in the way of my game time.

On the up side at least my avatar looks more like me, my Mii on the Wii looks more like Fred Dineage LOL

 

[YSSMAN]

Although there is plenty of Xbox fanboy drivel about how this is the greatest thing since sliced bread which I can't imagine is true considering it just came out and there are bound to be bugs.

Its not perfect, but I like it a lot. I definitely prefer it to the old blade system, this just feels so much better. I did see that it made me re-download the patch to watch MPEG-4 videos, which may explain why my video streaming off the PC was being so odd before. Hopefully that bug has been fixed, because I was getting annoyed with having to place The Totally Rad Show and Diggnation on a thumb drive every time I wanted to watch it. Hopefully the integration with Windows Media Center is a bit more smooth as well...

I don't use Netflix though as I get my films by other means, mainly the digital box for my cable which probably has 1,000 films on it to choose from and from my computer.

Netflix FTW. Srsly. I've been blown away by how convenient it is, and I'm otherwise angry at myself for waiting this long to ditch Blockbuster. I started with a two week trial about a year ago, and I've loved it ever since. I think my only problem is that I can't watch my movies fast enough. I've got 114 movies and counting in my Mail Que, nearly 40 in my Instant Que. There just isn't enough time...

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

That Netflix sounds really good. This will probably be the motivation I need to check it out. Though I imagine everything will be slow for the next few days while everyone gets used to the NXE.
Any time there is a new update it takes a few days or longer to get worked out. This is a huge update so it might even take a month before everything is running smooth.
If it takes over a month or two then we will probably get an arcade game for free. lol

 

[Alex.]

Just tried it out, it's pretty cool! Add me on Live if you want







<

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

CHeck this out. I am at work on my PC and I just ordered 2000 ms points from my PC for Heather and it went directly onto her 360. How cool is that?! I dont even think she knows yet. lol

 

[Moglet]

I'm loving it so far, my avatar is a bit spooky but I love the new system that opens during a game and Connect360 still works like a dream streaming music and video from my iMac.

Here's my avatar btw;


I like to call her 'the mannequin'

 

[YSSMAN]

More on the Sony/Netflix thing:

It has absolutely nothing to do with the 360, the licensing agreement for all of their non-PC distribution systems have yet to go through with Sony/Tri-Star/Etc.

 

[Moglet]

Who needs Netflix anyway? Just sign up for LoveFilm.

 

[Zrow]

I just downloaded it, and promptly went about making the sleaziest looking avatar possible.

Based on my limited impressions so far, it's pretty cool. It seems a bit faster than the old dashboard. I like how videos can basically be streamed from each channel automatically (not sure if the old dash did that, but I don't remember being able to).

Haven't tried the party functionality yet. Any word on how that is?

 

[Rue]

The new interface seems much quicker to navigate than the one it replaces. It was pretty cool going through my list of friends and seeing you guys etc. in all the avatar get up. Definate thumbs-up to M$ for this one!

Have they changed the Internet version of XBL too? :goestocheck:

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I like the NXE a lot. Overall it is much better than the old dashboard by a longshot. I even set Heather up last night with the free trial for Netflix and so far she is loving it. Most of the movies even stream instantly in HD which surprised me. I noticed a few times it had to buffer but I imagine its because of all the traffic that the NXE was causing last night. If it doesnt smooth out within the free 2 week trial then we will just cancel it. I am hoping after a couple days the Netflix movies will stream without any buffering problems. We have 19megs down and 2 megs up so I know it wasnt our connection. I am sure it will smooth out after a few days. 👍

 

[Max_DC]

Ok, I freaking hate it. If I'd express my true feelings you'd see a dozen lines filled with ********* and a GTP lifetime ban. WTF, I absolutly hate it.

I read somewhere, that you could recover the old dashboard, and now I googled and found out that it is not possible.

OMG, I'm gonna have to kill a lot of people in COD 5 WaW today in order to calm down a bit. Modern new age sh**, damn Wii, ruins everything, casual kiddy style piece of, nah damn...

 

[jonboy1066]

So what in particular don't you like about it? or is it just not to your taste?

 

[Max_DC]

So what in particular don't you like about it? or is it just not to your taste?

Tbh, I liked the old one, I should have the possibility to peek it ( changed only as far as needed for the new features ). I simply want tje old look back.

What I disliek most ? The Wii inspired avatars. Thanks Nintendo for screwing up Wii and now Xbox360.

Let's face it, I'm 25 and I'll be M.D. in 2 and half years. I don't like that childish modern animated avatars.

Never change a running system.

I'd pay 2000 or even 3000 MS points for an oLd dashboard look a like.

 

[Moglet]

Ok, I freaking hate it. If I'd express my true feelings you'd see a dozen lines filled with ********* and a GTP lifetime ban. WTF, I absolutly hate it.

I read somewhere, that you could recover the old dashboard, and now I googled and found out that it is not possible.

OMG, I'm gonna have to kill a lot of people in COD 5 WaW today in order to calm down a bit. Modern new age sh**, damn Wii, ruins everything, casual kiddy style piece of, nah damn...

What exactly is not to like? It's quicker, easier to use, has better features and even in game it's smoother and quicker and more accessible. You don't even have to make an avatar if you're that insecure about using a 'casual kiddy style piece of...'.

The 'Friends playing this game' is a neat little touch.

Why does being 25 stop you from having a bit of fun? Lighten up a bit!

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Tbh, I liked the old one, I should have the possibility to peek it ( changed only as far as needed for the new features ). I simply want tje old look back.

What I disliek most ? The Wii inspired avatars. Thanks Nintendo for screwing up Wii and now Xbox360.

Let's face it, I'm 25 and I'll be M.D. in 2 and half years. I don't like that childish modern animated avatars.

Never change a running system.

I'd pay 2000 or even 3000 MS points for an oLd dashboard look a like.

Doesnt sound like you are going to be a MD that will work very well with children.
On a serious note the old system felt old. It felt like something from 1990 where this feels very modern like something from 2010. I cant imagine not liking a positive and fun change like this. I am 31.

 

[Moglet]

I'm 23 and hoping to be working as a graphic designer soon, and I think the avatars are just a bit of fun! You don't even have to make one if you don't want to, so what's the problem? Just leave your avatar blank and look around at the new features.

 

[Max_DC]

What exactly is not to like? It's quicker, easier to use, has better features and even in game it's smoother and quicker and more accessible. You don't even have to make an avatar if you're that insecure about using a 'casual kiddy style piece of...'.

The 'Friends playing this game' is a neat little touch.

Why does being 25 stop you from having a bit of fun? Lighten up a bit!

There are avatars everywhere in my friendslist, so I still have to watch them.
Reagrading all the other features : Could have been done without chaning the style.

Doesnt sound like you are going to be a MD that will work very well with children.
On a serious note the old system felt old. It felt like something from 1990 where this feels very modern like something from 2010. I cant imagine not liking a positive and fun change like this. I am 31.

I'll be a surgeon, so I'll avoid that . Nah, that's not the point. I just don't like Mii inspired avatars, that's all.

I can live with the NXE without avatars.

 

[V1P3R]

I just don't like the fact that M$ was too lazy to be original and instead ripped off the Wii. As for the interface itself... it's still just as bad as before at least for efficiency.

Then again... it wouldn't be M$ without the above.