Microsoft launched the long-awaited UI update for the Xbox home screen. The new layout was previously available to insiders whilst in the testing phase, but the update is now available for all users on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Ivy Krislov, Senior Product Manager Lead at Xbox, said in a recent newswire post that Xbox's new home screen was "designed from player feedback" and would allow users to "create a more personalized experience." However, within a matter of hours since its launch, Xbox users quickly picked fault with the new design, mainly due to the lack of customization, and the fact that it's riddled with adverts, according to users.

Your feedback, your dashboard!

The new Xbox Home Dashboard, made better from your responses, is now HERE: https://t.co/ayxpO9i3ib

— Xbox (@Xbox) July 26, 2023

One user took to the Xbox Series X subreddit to ask if there was any way they could get rid of the "most played games" tab. According to the user, the most irritating part of the tab is the fact that it doesn't actually include the user's most played games, but rather the most played games on Xbox as a whole. Many other users in the replies agreed, with one person saying, "Why would I give a flying fuck what is most played?? It’s literally been the same 4-5 games for the past decade. Pointless tab."

Another replied with a more joking response, saying, "You want Microsoft to get rid of the ads on your home screen despite paying for a premium monthly service? The nerve."

But it's not just the most played games tab that appears to be frustrating users. Another user took to the Xbox Series X subreddit to praise the new design, but many of the comments were not in agreement. "The ads are bigger than your content how does that make sense?" one user responded, whilst another said, "Minus the ads it would be great."

The new design has certainly divided the community. Many can appreciate the overall aesthetic and layout, but the lack of customization and how many ads for Game Pass there are as you scroll down has frustrated a large number of Xbox users. "I like the main screen but anything under it is a total mess. It is like one big ad, even if you create a group, it is shown under the "most played games" line with random games from the store," another Reddit user said.

It's possible that with some tweaks in future updates, the new home screen design could become a thing of beauty. But for now, it's simply "one big ad."



Posted: Jul 30, 2023 2:55 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: https://www.dualshockers.com/xbox-home-screen-update-one-big-ad/