Isn't the Beta just to raise hype?
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But what's the point? I can understand a Beta of a game as an outside stress test that you don't get in a closed environment but doing it for an interface just seems odd.
Beta's of games might be wonky and not work but the worst that happens is that it fails to get past the loading screen so they switch it off and go play something else till it gets patched. If you're fiddling with the major interface between the user and the system and something breaks then that's a whole new level of pain when their hardware (potentially) becomes nothing more than a paperweight.
Which makes me think that they wouldn't dare let it loose on anyone outside of MS unless it had been rigorously tested and all but done. And in which case why bother and just hang fire a bit and release it?
If we are living in the age where they're determined to create hype for an interface, then we're truly through the looking glass
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I honestly don't believe MS would Beta something that could brick a console. I think the firmware part will be as solid as they can make it before the public Beta testing - that's not to say it won't brick anything, as we've seen, but the firmware will be "locked" pending a bricking **** up.
Maybe they need to stress test the new interface. More likely, the changes aren't just cosmetic but work the Live servers differently, and they want to see how they hold up on a limited, but large, test. They won't want the same **** as last Xmas, and that was with a known setup.
And of course, this is building Hype. I think the 360 is a couple of big exclusives short this holiday season (not that it will likely matter from a sales perspective given the recent price cuts), and rebranding it all "NXE" gives it a catchy, exciting name (just add an X for Xtra Xcitement!). A Beta keeps it in the news and the buzz going.Comment
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I'm pretty sure that it has been the new xbox experience since it was unveiled.
The dash will be ready now , the only reason it hasn't been realeased sooner was so the launch of Gears isn't marred by the inevitable failure of peoples machines. This could also be a way of getting the dash to the geeks who really want it an reducing the risk of live imploding come release.Comment
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This is less likely to happen this time around. The reason why you have to have a memory unit this time is so that if something was to happen while it was installing, your xbox wouldn't be left OSless because it'll be on the HDD.Originally posted by Chain View PostComment
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I obviously meant rebranding the Dashboard as the New XBox Experience. When it's just a new dashboard / interface isn't it? They are actively marketing this as a Big Thing, hence the rebranding.
Does this mean after 6 months they'll call is the XE, as it will no longer be New? How long until it's the [old]OXE?Comment
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Is it an interface role-out or a new firmware as well? I thought it was both. I'm sure the HDD install will require a firmware change. So they're effectively flashing the firmware and putting a new OS on the HDD.Originally posted by El Leone View PostComment
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I really hope so EvilBoris as I would be happy to take the risk as I'm sure its more than ready by now..Originally posted by EvilBoris View PostComment
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With the reviews Fable 2 is getting, the hype building around Banjo, the behemoth that is Gears 2 and the timed exclusive with Rock Band 2 (plus the casual bumpf - Scene It, Lips and You're in the Movies), MS are pretty well set, at least as well as any of the others.Originally posted by Chain View Post
I don't think a beta of the new experience is about building hype - they stand to lose far more than gain. A game that releases in Beta stages but is bugged is kind of acceptable. A new dash that courses problems is likely to be much more publicised and raise serious concerns for people, because they have no choice but to use it, unlike any game which is an optional purchase.Comment
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The only person to of said the word beta is the OP anyway. It won't be a beta.Comment
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Just tried it, and yes, it does. Without integration to the Dash or the ability to create your own it is no more than a character select, however.Originally posted by Brats View Post
The game is exactly the same as before, just a some new modes and (in the demo at least) there is no announcer guy.Comment
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Someone has found the links to the place where generated image of your avatar are stored
You can change the gamertag to find other ones (they don't open in firefox of safari BTW)Comment
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Apologies for the bluntness but, are you on crack ?Originally posted by Chain View Post
Fable 2, Banjo and Gears 2, as well as the whole NXE thing. Can anyone point out to me even one title that will come close to Gears 2 this holiday ? And by that I mean proper seriously challenge it, not just IMO *title X is better* type challenge but actually top it in terms of sales and critical acclaim.
Spending too much time reading B3D mon amis
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Well, my opinion is my own. But maybe the fact you're including NXE in that "exclusive" list proves my point - that MS see this as a big selling point and are hyping it accordingly.Originally posted by TheBlackLodge View PostApologies for the bluntness but, are you on crack ?
Fable 2, Banjo and Gears 2, as well as the whole NXE thing. Can anyone point out to me even one title that will come close to Gears 2 this holiday ? And by that I mean proper seriously challenge it, not just IMO *title X is better* type challenge but actually top it in terms of sales and critical acclaim.
Spending too much time reading B3D mon amis
The only thing that may beat Gears 2 is CoD5, but as multiplatform, I'm not sure if that counts. Personally, I see Fable 2 and Banjo as pretty insignificant titles - will they sell consoles? Probably not. Yes the hardcore here are excited by Fable, but it doesn't interest me and I don't know how it will sell. And is Banjo even a big name these days? It will be interesting to see if that sells. I'm not sure a title like that will on the 360.
So yes, I think the 360 lacks a couple of big exclusives this Xmas period. The only game that screams blockbuster to me is Gears 2. Compare to last year when the 360 was loaded with stunning titles.Comment
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Just to counter (and you make your point well, it's all opinion after all), what I asked was if anyone can name me something that will stand up to Gears 2. You say it (360) is lacking some exclusives but if it's lacking then.....well you know
Lacking compared to what ? What else is there out there on the horizon that will come close to competing ?
/Edit: The last year thing..........I'd argue this years line up is just as strong from an exclusive and MFG stand point.Comment
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