In keeping with Microsoft’s cross-generational strategy for Xbox Series X games, the company will reportedly also be keeping the main system software of the console unified across Xbox Series X and Xbox One. This means that, at launch, the console UI will be very close to what is currently found on Xbox One, but improved by the speed of the SSD in the next-gen console. This is in stark contrast to the PlayStation 5’s “100% overhaul”.
I can confirm the Xbox Series X dashboard will be the same as the Xbox One. Microsoft is adding some additional stuff in for the console features, but the UI and dash will be the same. Speed and perf will also be improved
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) June 13, 2020
This news comes from The Verge Senior Editor Tom Warren, tweeting the confirmation over the weekend.
However, this does not mean that the Xbox UI is going to remain standing still for the next generation. Microsoft have endlessly tinkered with the Xbox One system software through the generation, evolving their design language from the Windows 8 tile design that it launched with to keep up with changes made for Windows 10, reorganising the home screen to work vertically, then horizontally, then vertically again, introducing customisable page layouts along the way. In May of this year, they fiddled with the Guide quick overlay, reorganising the tabs yet again, but making them easy to customise.
Thanks to Microsoft storing your profile and layout preferences online, this will mean that Xbox Series X will immediately load up your customised layout, wallpaper and more the first time you log in on the console. That’s pretty neat.
Whether you use the Xbox One day in, day out or only every once in a while, it’s honestly been a bit much at times. That said, while I know there’s a lot of complaints about the Xbox One UI, it’s not that bad. It’s certainly in a much better place now than it was at launch (the loss of being able to snap apps to the side of the screen the exception).
I think it's a good thing that the Xbox dashboard is aligned on Xbox One and Xbox Series X. There will be improvements in the coming months, and there's a new Store app on the way. Things have been gradually improving on the dash, and will continue to do so
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) June 13, 2020
However, as Warren notes, this doesn’t mean that change for next gen isn’t coming, with the leak of a new Store app showing off Microsoft’s new Fluent Design system. We can expect this to inform a general UI overhaul for the next generation.
I guess we could really frame this scenario a bit differently. Yes, the Xbox Series X is sticking with the same UI as currently found on the Xbox One, but this also suggests that a few years from now, the Xbox One will have been kept in lockstep with the visual changes and usability improvements made for the Xbox Series X, just with Series X maybe having a handful of additional features alongside.
Source: Tom Warren, Windows Central
coruscant
Is it just me or are casual gamers going to get very confused as to what exactly the Series X is, whether it’s a new console or an Xbox One.2?
Starman
Possibly, but if they’re looking to buy a new console it doesn’t take long to find out what’s what. They’ve already had it with the different versions of xbox and Ps4 the last few years.
DeadlyChipmunk
At least you’ve had a fighting chance with PS having a number as the base, variations of each one isn’t too bad. Not like the XBox, 3rd console is called One, and now we have Series X. At least it’s not XBox One Series X.
Starman
I guess the marketing dept would point out the being a number behind automatically sounds like it’s the older system. Xbox3 vs Ps4 for example. Though I agree calling it xbox one was a bit daft. Would’ve been better off following Nintendo (& Sega’s) naming system instead.
MrYd
All their naming has been a “bit daft”.
Start with XBox. Yes, sounds sensible. It’s a box. The X makes it sound all mysterious.
Then XBox 360. Just going around in circles, not going anywhere. Whoops.
Then XBox One. So you’ve given up and started all over again then? Maybe it’ll be a huge success this time.
Follow that with the XBox One X. That’s just asking for trouble. It’s the XBox One with an extra X? Twice as mysterious. Maybe those photos of “One XBox One X Box” will be good publicity?
And now the Series X? Is that just the One X with the word “Series” stuck in it because reasons? Maybe it’s to confuse parents whose kids want one for christmas and end up with a One X instead? Good way to get rid of the old stock. And they spent so long coming up with that confusing name that they didn’t have any time left to design the actual hardware and just said “make it look like a fridge? We can rely on a random number to get people talking about how powerful it is instead”.
I think the name, which clearly is weird and confusing, is the least of their problems though.
Andrewww
Can’t really judge that, as I don’t know this interface. Maybe it’s excellent and it’s actually better not to touch it. But, again, just reading the headline makes for a mediocre marketing message and is easily interpreted as ‘lame, they can’t even be bothered to update the interface…’.