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Over the course of the few hours that have pasted since the E3 2008: Microsoft Press Briefing and the introduction of the “New Xbox Experience”, there has been quite a bit of discussion all around the web as to what they think about “Avatars”. Over on the Xbox forums a poll has been put up by non other than TriXie360 (Gamerchix/Community Confidential/ and more) and what will you find in response to this poll? Of course, some rational thought and a whole lot of hate on the side to go with that. Now, of course when Denis Dyack said what he said on 1up Yours a few weeks ago many chose to take the easy way out and just call him crazy by dismissing any and all that he was talking about. Failing to actually listen to what he was really saying, the aforementioned forum thread clearly proves Denis’ point.

No one on the outside of Microsoft has had any experience with this “New Xbox Experience” so why are so many people so quick to damn it to hell without using it first? Surely these are the same people who went ape sh*t crazy when they profusely said they were unhappy with the current dashboard, especially when it was revealed that some XBLA titles would be delisted as to clean up the clutter. So, I here by ask again, why are so many hating all over this new direction?

All of the games you’ve bought and/or are going to buy are still going to be the same as they where before. Then again, I bring another “why” question. Why are so-called “Hardcore gamers” so quick to want to isolate themselves from the rest of the world? It’s painfully obvious that this new dashboard update isn’t just thinking about those that may happen upon these words. It’s thinking about those who aren’t so enthralled in this medium to feel most of the population isn’t worthy to be included. Sorry to tell you folks, gaming isn’t just for the hardcore anymore.

If you want to lock yourself away in a closet of self wallow while you keep telling yourself that no one should be able to play a videogame unless their super serious about it, have at it. You complained about the current dashboard all the while screaming to high heaven about innovation and wanting something new, but when it’s tried you do nothing but bitch. How about you wait and see how you feel after actually using the “New Xbox Experience” first. First impressions are one thing, but declaring that the old dashboard is better already is ridiculous. Compare it to Mii’s all you want. There’s no mistaking the similarities, but don’t go making the copycat arguments when both the other two competitors are freely “trying” to parody the experience of Xbox Live. Calling someone a hypocrite at this point isn’t worth it, because there are no words to describe the blasphemy going on.

Oh, wait, you say that none of this matters in the long run? Well if you do, that’s where you’ll be completely short sighted. Don’t tell me that when someone who doesn’t play videogames often or ever asks you about this stuff that your opinion doesn’t carry any weight. That’s when that mindshare thing happens. So when the Xbox 360 is considered a hardcore only console what did you most likely do when the Nintendo Wii lauched? You more than likely told that person they should buy that, because its non gamer friendly and guess what happened? They went out and bought and continue to buy the Wii not because they researched ahead of time, but because people like us told them it was made for them when it really was just marketed well toward them well. Now, go tell me that our opinion on forums which turn into the mindshare don’t matter.

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-William “thewilleffect” Bell-