Comments on: New Home movie shows 0.98 in action

By: Quiiick

Quiiick — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:40:09 +0000

No offence, but saying “User interface designers have known this for years.”
is like saying ” It’s been proven right in the past and therefore it will be the only way to do it in the future”. Things change!

Also, applying the same GUI-metaphors for different applications (productivity systems and entertainment devices etc.) is definitely a very narrow way to look at accessibility/usability of graphical interfaces.
These systems serve different purposes, have different viewing distances, different input devices etc. and therefore demand unique GUIs.

By: Truk

Truk — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:02:45 +0000

But if this is just a way to interact with my PS3′s media capabilities, e.g. playing videos/music/online matchmaking etc, then it’s a shit way of doing it compared to using the 2D interface. You have a funny view of productivity if you think it doesn’t apply here.

Of course UI principles apply here. I’d also love to know why you think it’s a bit of a weak argument.

By: Sky D

Sky D — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:36:38 +0000

The transparent avatars happen during on the fly loading, or when the user changes wardrobe on the fly.

By: Quiiick

Quiiick — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:27:31 +0000

@ Syrok
… yes that’s a plausible explanation for these transparent avatars.

By: Syrok

Syrok — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:57:19 +0000

Maybe some sort of privacy measurement, if you want to walk around with out being bothered by anyone, like the invisible mode some messengers have.

By: BartonFink

BartonFink — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:51:05 +0000

So what is the story with all the ghost like avatars walking around the place?

By: Quiiick

Quiiick — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:36:52 +0000

@ Truk
I agree that 3D interfaces are a shit way of interacting with computers where PRODUCTIVITY is the top priority. But an entertainment system is completely different ballgame. So your argument of “user interface designers have known this for years” does simply not apply here and honestly is a bit weak anyway.

By: Truk

Truk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:55:00 +0000

3D interfaces are a shit way of interacting with computers that are displayed on a 2D screen. User interface designers have known this for years.

What it really is, I imagine, is an attempt to catch the young, media-hungry, Second-Life/myspace types and to display advertisements to them. It will be interesting to see if it works. Not for me, but I’m not stupid enough to think it needs to be.

By: Quiiick

Quiiick — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:38:41 +0000

Does anyone know what engine Sony uses for “Home”?
Is it an engine that gets used in (other) games or is it just intended for this service.

Why are some of the Avatars transparent?

Why are people still asking what “Home” is supposed to be offering them?
It’s a 3-d environmental interface for the operating-system. Is that so hard to understand?
You may find it useful or not, depending on you taste, but the purpose is very clear.

By: Truk

Truk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:28:10 +0000

“For some reason that dance that the guy makes his avatar do right at the start of the movie makes me want to stab people. In the face.”

Maybe Home features that functionality. That’d improve things.

I like my PS3, but this just seems pointless. Then again, I’m not a twenty-something with cool jeans and a myspace page.

By: Syrok

Syrok — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:26:08 +0000

That looks……boring. At least that hasn’t changed.

By: Blerk

Blerk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:23:19 +0000

For some reason that dance that the guy makes his avatar do right at the start of the movie makes me want to stab people. In the face.

By: Truk

Truk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:19:26 +0000

You can do different dances, didn’t you see?!

I think this is Sony saying: the next gen starts now.

Wow. Dancing. Imagine.

By: Tiger Walts

Tiger Walts — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:10:42 +0000

Lots more ways for the average online console gamer to annoy you?

By: Blerk

Blerk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:01:06 +0000

To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure what Home is supposed to be offering me.

By: Tiger Walts

Tiger Walts — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:59:25 +0000

NXE is providing way more functionality updates than Home is as far as I can see. Certainly more things that I’d end up using too.

By: Blerk

Blerk — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:47:18 +0000

Home vs New Xbox Experience, head to head, launching same week (if not the same day). You watch. It’ll happen.