Get a chance to preview the New Xbox Experience [update]

by Dustin Burg { Oct 24th 2008 at 11:45PM }

Update: Hopefully you already registered because, according to Major Nelson, the "preview program is now FULL." That was quick.

You were promised the chance and now your chance is here. You (yes YOU) can preview the upcoming New Xbox Experience prior to its release on November 19th.

Microsoft is looking for a few thousand NXE preview participants to give the NXE a trial run prior to its official release to, you know, make sure everything is functioning correctly. To sign up for your chance to be selected as a previewer, simply head to Microsoft Connect, register using your Windows Live ID, then click here to fill out the official NXE preview survey. Answer a few questions, submit that sucker and cross your fingers in hopes that you are selected. And just in case you weren't listening, only a few thousand registrants will be selected, so filling out the survey does not guarantee a NXE preview.

Note too that those who are selected will not have access to a full-featured NXE. Though, things like Netflix, Live parties and Avatars will be included. Now go, get registered and hope for the best!

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]

Tags: dashboard-update, fall-update, new-xbox-experience, nxe, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Mad Dylan2 @ Oct 24th 2008 11:52PM

I am definitely not looking forward to this update they are going to do. Hopefully I can keep my old dashboard and stay away from those pansy avatars and other...weird things..

Urza @ Oct 25th 2008 12:17AM

Nope. The current dashboard blades will be transferred to and over the menu you get when you hit the xbox button on your controller. The NXE will replace the old dashboard completely, when you start up your xbox and don't have auto-run on, that's what you'll see. The NXE is also essential for the new gaming party system and you can bet new games (starting with Gears 2 likely) will use it instead of creating their own party systems from scratch. Like it or not, it's what the 360 is.

monkeymonkeymonkey @ Oct 25th 2008 1:43AM

The avatars are not what makes this exciting, so I dont know why people are whining about Avatars...

psychohog @ Oct 25th 2008 1:33PM

My only complaint is the avatars. Yes, they are very childish and pansy.

Mik @ Oct 25th 2008 1:55PM

Looks prety kiddiefied to me to.

I don't want to be left with the kiddie-konsole.

I assume I can just not update, or is this thing forced on me?

Andrew @ Oct 25th 2008 1:58PM

I don't understand why people aren't getting it. If you want to be able to connect to LIVE you HAVE to accept the update.

Peter @ Oct 24th 2008 11:55PM

Where do you get that it will not be a full feature NXE? Neither Major Nelson, nor the Microsoft Connect page mentions anything of the sort.

Greg Mauk @ Oct 25th 2008 12:14AM

This is old news...Forbes announced today that this major update to the dashboard is officially being delayed until Spring.

Urza @ Oct 25th 2008 12:19AM

Riiiight.. and Joystiq and Kotaku aren't mentioning it.

Peter @ Oct 25th 2008 12:21AM

This guy is talking about Primetime being delayed until Spring. Either that, or he thought that when they said Primetime is delayed until Spring that they meant they would not release the entire NXE until Spring.

monkeymonkeymonkey @ Oct 25th 2008 1:45AM

you are a dope. Its Primetime that was delayed...

ScottishPrik @ Oct 25th 2008 7:22AM

Dumbass. I'm so sick if internet idiots. Now I know why people go on killing sprees.

Dave @ Oct 25th 2008 12:16AM

Hmmm, I believe I gave the answers Microsoft would want (they were mostly true anyways). Hopefully I get in. :)

BIGFAT @ Oct 25th 2008 12:40AM

i know, for that router question they wouldnt let you leave it blank, even thought they said "if you have a router" so i just put netgear(even though i don't have one) and left it at that.

Sarth @ Oct 25th 2008 12:25AM

Neither page will load :(

Daniel @ Oct 25th 2008 12:37AM

^ try using Internet Explorer and no other browser, that worked for me.

I signed up, doubt I'll get in. Meh.

salmonmoose @ Oct 25th 2008 12:40AM

Worked in firefox under linux for me, so it's not a browser issue.

Diamondxp @ Oct 25th 2008 1:01AM

I had to use bootcamp on my Mac and register using IE. I know this will be so good and worth it. I hope to get picked. They should let XBL Ambassadors like me in automatically.. that would be nice.

Josh Riesen @ Oct 25th 2008 1:12AM

Actually, I'm pretty surprised you're not.

Zack11190 @ Oct 25th 2008 1:23AM

Really? I was able to register using FireFox on my Mac natively.

GPX2 @ Oct 25th 2008 1:28AM

All I want is the Netflixs set-up and that is worth putting with the Stupid Mii rip-offs that I have to buy clothing for, and a Crappy iTunes rip-off.

Overall this update is going to suck, the party system seems interesting and Netfilxs integration got me to switch back to Netflixs from Blockbuster., but the actual cosmetic features are the worst things I ever heard of.

Aero @ Oct 25th 2008 9:25AM

If you feel so strongly about buying Avatar clothes then just don't buy them and stick to your current gamerpic. You're voting with your wallet that way.

zourskittles @ Oct 25th 2008 11:12AM

"Oh noo, I'm going to have the option of using this new Avatar feature. It even has an option to buy clothes for my Avatar, what ever shall I do?"

Maybe you should quit your bitching and just not use the Avatars you moron. No ones forcing you to do shit. So shut the fuck up, to all of you who are complaining about Avatars.

GPX2 @ Oct 25th 2008 11:45AM

Yes they are forcing you to use avatars, it is tied in with the entire party system. Also please give me one reason why they are a good idea?

Also I got to look at the stupid avatars, it is not like I can turn them off, so yes they are forcing me into using them. Honestly just one thing on why they are a good idea?...What they help personify me to my XBL friends? Will I ain't a loser and my XBL friends are people I actually know or lets say I met a friend online, how is some big head dumbass gonna help? They all look like the guy from those Mac ads anyway.

zourskittles @ Oct 25th 2008 12:28PM

You don't have to USE it, you may always have one, but never have to use it. The party system doesn't revolver around your avatar, it just shows when your in a party. Its a good idea for people who like things like this, such as Miis. So stop complaining about an option that everyone has.

nowandtheworld @ Oct 25th 2008 1:34AM

Hmm, hopefully I get in, i'm actually looking forward to the update.

chelsea_smile @ Oct 25th 2008 1:38AM

http://xbox.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/psm3-fallout-3-looks-better-on-the-360/5#comments

PixelFlix @ Oct 25th 2008 1:38AM

Wow you guys are completely negative about the new update.
I'm actually pretty exited for it. I've been a 360 gamer sense 06, and having a new dash face lift will almost feel like having a new console! Come on guys lighten up a little..

PeacefulOutrage @ Oct 25th 2008 2:47AM

I find it thoroughly interesting that people bitch so much about avatars on the DASHBOARD! If the whole thing is faster and the avatars are optional as they say, who cares? Just play the games and you won't notice. Even the blades issue is addressed by moving it to the guide.

The biggest complaints I see are the storage and the fact that the old themes will have their lower halves obscured, which if I paid good money for them, would piss me off.

pibs @ Oct 25th 2008 1:39AM

I hear they are only picking about 1000 people

birdshake @ Oct 25th 2008 4:28AM

Which the article says...

tinker_xp @ Oct 25th 2008 2:04PM

The article says a good few thousand, so it could be anything about a 1000.

"We’re looking for a few thousand participants, so your chances of making it in are good
"

Wildcat1080 @ Oct 25th 2008 3:13AM

signed up

I don't get the QQers

What is there NOT to like about it? It's something new and free and adds more to the dashboard. It's a long overdue update if you ask me.

Zach S @ Oct 25th 2008 11:47AM

Well, I really don't get it, considering the fact that the OLD dashboard will STILL be around in the form of the little blades...

Actually, that's updated too, as you won't have to exit a game to use the blades! That alone excites me!

Rob Bourne @ Oct 25th 2008 5:17AM

"An object that you requested, or that was needed to process your request could not be found."

Error page when I click the NXE Preview Survey link...

Just signed up to connect for nothing :(

Xiphias @ Oct 25th 2008 5:21AM

yeah I found that too just now
:(

Alex @ Oct 25th 2008 7:40AM

This will be like, the first time I get picked for anything if I get picked :). Well I'm hoping for the best. But I totally can't wait for the full-featured NXE to come out. It's going to be amazing!

XceeD @ Oct 25th 2008 9:04AM

link doesnt work anymore :(

Brian @ Oct 25th 2008 9:11AM

An object that you requested, or that was needed to process your request could not be found.

johnnyrook82 @ Oct 25th 2008 9:15AM

Same thing here. I wonder if we are too late.

TTSP @ Oct 25th 2008 9:34AM

I signed up last night:) Hopefully I get in.

martin_alvis @ Oct 25th 2008 11:20AM

what the fuck..

"An object that you requested, or that was needed to process your request could not be found."

KFelon @ Oct 25th 2008 2:20PM

Major Nelson has updated his blog, 1,000 users have signed up so there are no more entry slots for a chance to get the dash early.

Nick @ Oct 25th 2008 11:56AM

Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too late for this one, serious snooze/lose situation :(

ah well, I tried.

BIGFAT @ Oct 25th 2008 12:10PM

They really need to do a update to this article telling people to click on the link first to at least see if its available before having to register.

Good thing i registered late night:)

Nick @ Oct 25th 2008 2:01PM

pfft. Hush, you :P

kfresh97 @ Oct 25th 2008 12:13PM

"Bah" to the NXE. I've signed up, as I would like to give it a try, but I highly doubt that I'll enjoy it. It's a serious "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" situation.

The NXE add essentially *nothing* to the gaming platform that couldn't be added to the current system. Party system, Netflix, hard drive installs... tell me that none of this could be done using the current design template... That's right, it could! But no, Microsoft has to change an existing, distictive, function, and familiar system with something that more resembles the competion's setup. What a cop-out. Stand up for your design and make it work, don't piss it all away because Nintendo invented Miis.

It's as good-a reason as any to play offline for the next few months, dagnabbit... Whatever, I'll play Fable 2 stay off Live and I'll be fine.

BIGFAT @ Oct 25th 2008 12:56PM

" It's a serious "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" situation."

yeah Riiiiiight.............
and you telling me that the wii beating the xbox by a good 10mil worldwide isnt a reason to change strategy's? or how bout the ps3 gaining ground on the 360? trust me this is a " its broke, hurry up and fix it", situation.

kfresh97 @ Oct 26th 2008 1:07AM

Nintendo haven't sold that many consoles because of the Xbox's dashboard :S they've done so because of their price point, marketing, franchises, target audience and a games catalogue that makes use of an original gimmick.

It's daft and, dare I say it, completely fucking stupid, to think that the Dashboard/NXE change is the reason -or- the solution to Microsoft's competition worries.

This isn't a change in business strategies, it's a change in design. An *unnessecary* change in design. One that time, effort, and money have gone into that could've been focused on better and more productive avenues.