With Microsoft about to let in a heap of public beta testers to try out the New Xbox Experience (NXE) this week, I’ve gotten the chance to screw around with the Xbox 360 new dashboard make-over. Adding some new exciting functionality, Avatars, and doing some cleaning up is the NXE worthwhile? Absolutely! However, there are a few things that still need some ironing out and tweaking and DasGamer.com is here to help figure out what's what with the NXE.
Getting set up in your new digs:
The download and setup of NXE was super quick – approximately two minutes to install and reboot the console. NXE introduces itself with a quick flashy video, and then it’s off to set up a new Avatar for your particular Xbox Live account. Designed by Rare, these avatars are basically glorified hi-def Miis. You choose an avatar that closely resembles what you’re shooting for, and then begin designing how you want your Avatar to look.
he physical options–you can tweak hair styles, facial features, body height, weight, eye color–stick fairly closely to the Nintendo Mii palette set. The selection of eye shapes, in particular, seems straight off of the Wii. Where avatars go one step further is clothing options. Currently you can change tops, bottoms, shoes, and bling, and then save your look to your outfit library. While for now there aren’t any clothes to buy, or any game-themed clothing, expect both. I’m hoping that the majority of clothing will come along as added value with the purchase of individual games (an NFL jersey with Madden 10, a COG t-shirt with Gears 2). But selling virtual clothing is a layup of a revenue stream. Even if you get a free COG t-shirt for your Avatar, few hardcore gamers will resist buying a full set of COG armor. Add popular brands like Nike licensing new custom sneakers or Snorg Tees dropping in their catalog and the Microsoft Points will start to buy. In the quest for individuality gamers will buy virtual threads, just like they did with Gamer Pics and Themes.
Speaking of Gamer Pics, after you finalize your Avatar’s design, you can then take a snapshot of your Avatar to serve as your Gamer Pic. You can zoom in and out and take a quick snap. For now, I’m using a picture I nabbed, but I don’t think I’ll use it forever.
Pro Tip: Press the LB button to get your character to use emotes such as laughing, acting goofy, and more.
Click here to read the rest of DasGamer.com's NXE preview story and get all of the important pro tips that you need come November 19th.
