Xbox Experience : the whole truth
November 19, 2008Microsoft decides to follow in the footsteps of Nintendo and release to all its customers the renewed Xbox 360 Dashboard. Technews download the same day ‘upgrade and start the test …
December 1, 2008 : After a long test dressed up with online games , performance tests with old Xbox Originals download movies, view content and thorough review of more people, we can finally reveal whether the new found Redmond is truly remarkable or whether it instead of a useless window dressing . But proceed with calm …
Xbox 360 is the next-gen console oldest Batch : submitted in advance of the revolutionary Wii and fearsome rival PlayStation 3, the Big Box has taken advantage of the time advantage to build up a loyal user base , a vast park, software and especially a strong reputation in the world of console succeeding in the mission that had failed the first game machine of Gates . But what gives the time , also takes time : after several years undoubtedly Xbox 360 console has become the most affected by the seniority factor . Hence the decision by Microsoft to refresh your dashboard , offering menus more attractive , larger and more accurate services and using intuition that made the fortunes of Nintendo.
Why deny that the new Xbox Experience avatar monkey Miis on the Wii is really impossible: From haircuts to facial customizations more varied and strange , funny movements from the many games created specifically for these characters , the similarities with their counterparts Nintendo are well above the differences. Never mind : a citation of an idea can be more successful a demonstration of humility and intelligenceRather than highlighting the blatant lack of creativity . Not to mention , then , that the new Dashboard anthropomorphic avatars are little more than a nice cigliegina on the cake.
In fact , at least graphic terms , the dashboard has not only evolved : it has been totally revolutionized, reversed , transformed. The menus are now cascading , with lots of pictures for each function in parallel to this vertical . The main options included in the selection are: SpotlightsWhere you can find the newest content , Personal MenuThe section dedicated to their Xbox and their files (as well as the reproduction of the disc) , the classic Marketplace GamesAlways broader and include more extensive descriptions and images , Inside Xbox, Which tells the new Microsoft , the screen Welcome, which directs the novices use the console and dashboard , the area Friends and Video Marketplace.
And ‘ that the main new feature of the Xbox Experience : with the new firmware it is possible also download movies (Cost tot Microsoft Point) in both loan size ( saved temporarily in the memory of the console and can only be seen in a given period ) and in the final version. Not only films, anyway, but even amateur productions of users, a combination of content and offers that follows the Modern Cable TV even offering a little something extra.
Sure, there is to say that this service is still being structured : several times we ‘ve downloaded or a block in some flicker in the movie experience , but the overall function proves practical , fast and above all helpful.
Xbox Live well , connections and basic settings, the new Dashboard fortunately has not changed nor mandate in conflict. Excellent , finally, Scroll Speed menu, which is not affected at all the heavy graphic animation present.
What about then? Examination passed with flying colors ? Only partially. The new Dashboard is certainly better than the last, and perhaps the most beautiful and comprehensive interface in the park of the three consoles Next Gen. But there are in some that can not be made to pass unnoticed. First, the confusion with which some information is proposedIt is not intuitive for new users , it is often difficult for even the most loyal customers. The new Dashboard is a bit ‘ upset by a series of concepts and piled on each other with feedback that search but you can not find. Secondly , and perhaps more serious , the upgrade takes up about 128MB, which is only half the memory card of those who bought an Xbox Arcade. Too , considering that the update becomes automatic to the first internet connection.
It ‘ true that a player can not be demanding without a hard disk. But it’s still Microsoft to sponsor and sell Xbox Arcade, And a total neglect of this important slice of the market ( which by the way with only the memory card can not benefit from the new videos and demos offered) seems contradictory and utterly superficial to customers .
Not to mention that , between us , important innovations there are few: if we exclude the movie channel, for the rest of the dashboard is the same as always . Just as clean , colorful and lively . And ‘ this really the quality they seek a gamer ? These are very important things to improve ? Or perhaps it would be unfair to focus on more concrete aspects such as lower prices of games and services on the Marketplace, a proposed expansion of online and truly innovative ideas ?
Leaving the answers to these questions to our readers , we conclude by saying that the last news came to the office – that , by implementing processor Jasper, Microsoft would have solved the problem permanently Ring of Death – has made us immensely happier pseudoMii avatars of the new Xbox Experience …
