Once again Microsoft is trying to change their image from Corporate Raiders who want to sell you over priced software to a cute and cuddly company that is more like Nintendo or Apple. The difference is that unlike Nintendo or Apple there is very little behind the fluff. And worst of all they are taking down the people who have supported them all these years in doing this.
As with every Dashboard update things have changed. And as with every Dashboard Update since the Avatars were released, not for the better. For some reason it seems that Microsoft feels that their old Dashboard from years gone by was just not soaking up enough processes. So they have, with every update tried to stress the system so that you are seeing more loading screens than actual content.
Best of all not only do you have to download the ESPN add-on and a new Zune Marketplace add-on separately. But the inital setup of the new dashboard drops all your original settings. Thanks, Microsoft that was handy. Perhaps instead up changing the design of the dashboard and Avatars AGAIN! They could have worked on the back end and make everything run more smoothly, have fewer loading screens, fewer errors about content that doesn’t exist, and less time screwing around in menus just to go to other menus. Yeah, but where would the fun in that be? How would that be a good PR campaign. Because after all, ALL these people who are going to buy a Kinect for their living room/gymnasium aren’t going to know the difference. Yeah, that’s too bad, considering those people are probably going to buy two games and never touch the system or any of the the content again. These are people the analytics refer to when they talk about people who don’t use DLC.
Apparently however, everyone wants a piece of the Nintendo pie. Too bad Microsoft, isn’t holding back on the crazy to do it. After all, Sony seems pretty low key about their casual jump and that’s good because the people they are targeting aren’t going to be impressed by marketing or ads. They will be impressed by word of mouth. Unfortunately the only word of mouth I can give this new update is, “rip-off.” I say this because starting in November we get to pay an extra $10 a year for the casual revolution so that Microsoft can pretend to be Nintendo for six months until they realize they aren’t making any money and start on Halo 4.
So thanks Microsoft, good to see my money is going to good use. Perhaps next time, you’ll survey the hardcore before you start throwing our money around.
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