Tektodo

Last week, Microsoft introduced gamers to the New Xbox Experience, or NXE.  The NXE is a complete overhaul of the previous “blade” UI (user interface) gamers were accustomed to with the Xbox 360.  While there were many reasons for the NXE, one of the largest and most important was the growing Marketplace library.  As more content continued to be pumped into Microsoft’s popular download service, it became increasingly difficult for gamers to find what they were looking for.  While this problem was functional in nature, the NXE also serves an important purpose aesthetically as well.

Microsoft has made no secret that it is trying to cater to a wider audience than just core gamers.  To this end, the NXE is definitely a success, as it feels much more inviting to someone who may not be accustomed to using video game consoles.  It is sleek, polished and fast, yet, I would be remiss without acknowledging that it does feel very similar to Apple’s Cover Flow.  However, this resemblance pales in comparison to Nintendo’s Miis and the NXE’s much discussed Avatars.

Along with a brand new UI, the NXE also introduced Avatars to the Xbox 360.  Avatars, Microsoft’s answer to Nintendo’s Miis, although an interesting idea, feel almost sterile in comparison.  Yes, you can customize your Avatar quite a bit, whether it be choosing its hairstyle or even accessories like watches or rings.  However, Avatars lack the charm of Miis.  While Miis are somewhat universal, in that they can appeal to a wide range of age groups, Avatars feel targeted almost exclusively towards the tween/teen demographic.  Perhaps it’s just me, but I really wish I could have my Avatar stand normally and not in the “hip” way it is now.  It just feels too forced for my tastes.  While this stance may appeal to the younger crowd, I don’t know how older people will react to seeing themselves portrayed in such a way.  Perhaps they might find it interesting or funny; I’m sure many people will find it very appealing, but in contrast to the Miis neutral stance, the Avatars’ seem to be more “love it or hate it”.  You get a sense going through all the customization features that Microsoft really is trying to create something that gamers (at least some gamers) will latch onto, but it just feels like it’s missing something.  I don’t have any problem with Avatars in theory, after all, The Big Three (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) all have (or will have) some form of avatars (Avatars, Miis and Home), but Avatars just feel too similar to Miis at this point in time.  Hopefully down the road Microsoft will differentiate itself from Nintendo and try something really exciting and innovative that isn’t even possible on Wii.  Then, perhaps, I will be more interested in them.

So how does the NXE stack up as a whole?  Quite well actually.  While I didn’t mind the “blade” UI in the least, I find the new Cover Flow-esque style to be very easy to navigate, as well as visually appealing.  I think most gamers would agree the NXE “launch” was a success, but is Microsoft trying too hard with its latest update?  Overall, I don’t think so.  In some areas, specifically, Avatars, it definitely feels like Microsoft is trying a little too hard reach out and bring more people into the gaming fold.  It doesn’t feel nearly as natural as Nintendo’s approach to expanding traditional gaming demographics.  However, despite that, I applaud Microsoft for even creating the NXE.  The NXE is proof (if any was even needed) that Microsoft is serious about gaming and its gaming community.  There weren’t any problems with the 360’s previous UI.  In fact, many gamers liked it quite a bit.  However, Microsoft wanted to make its system even better.  It took the initiative to revamp the 360’s entire UI before the old one became stale.  And I haven’t even discussed some of the really neat features introduced with the NXE, such as the new party system, the ability to install games onto the 360’s hard drive and Netflix integration.  Microsoft really went all out with this software “update” and it shows. Microsoft has also done an excellent job educating gamers about the NXE.  Whether it’s the Welcome “Channel” or Inside Xbox, Microsoft made sure to provide plenty of information about how to get what you’re looking for with the NXE.

Despite a few blemishes here and there, the NXE is a polished, feature-filled update that I’m sure most current and prospective 360 owners will be happy about.