The XMB has been a cause for concern by some PlayStation owners, but it looks like it'll be getting a new redesign next month during Sony's E3 conference.
Sony originally revealed the XMB for the PSX, which was a PS2-based DVR that never saw release outside of Japan and, more-or-less, bombed. The XMB concept was again used in the PSP, which gained the XMB far more exposure than the PSX did. The XMB for the PSP, was sleek, clean, and easy to navigate. As of late, some PS3 owners don't feel the same way about it when it comes to PlayStation 3, though. Many feel it's too rough to use while playing a game and you can't easily navigate to your messages like you can on the Xbox 360 while in a game session, and people have been finding faults with the XMB over the years with some feeling it's too cluttered.
On the last episode of the CheapAssGamer podcast, CheapyD stated that he knows that Sony will show a PS3 XMB redesign at E3. He doesn't delve into what changes will be implemented or if it'll have new features like cross-game chat, but it's certainly something forward to. If true, they'll likely release the firmware the same night of the announcement.
CheapyD: “I’ve heard that the Sony PS3 is getting a completely redesigned XrossMediaBar. Like totally new, not just like new columns and stuff like – totally redone.
Since Sony hasn't officially stated any such plans, this is considered a rumor for now. We'll know for certain in a month.
Comments
Well if PSN want's to start charging they will need an easy to use interface. Maybe shut down the whole system for a few days to get their servers and look right. Maybe then PSN could be more then a big joke. Sony seeing Microsoft rake in like 75 million a month in revenue for XBL alone must really irk them, plus I've noticed Sony has backed off the "Free online" pitch recently.
Yeah, but Live costs MS to run. It's not all gravy
the xmb is exactly the same on psp and ps3 so how can it be "sleek, clean, and easy to navigate" on psp while "everything but easy" on ps3? your description of the psp xmb is exactly how i would describe the xmb on both platforms.
"people have been getting increasingly frustrated with the XMB over the years. Though Sony has made considerable improvements to the it since the PS3 launch" ... so it's constantly improving but also getting more frustrating? i don't get it
i usually enjoy the articles on this website but i have to say W T F to this one
Only a complete and utter retard would have problems navigating the XMB and checking messages while in game.
It does suck to check messages. It's slow as hell to get to a message, read it, and then leave the XMB. XMB is great in design but it blows in functionality.
I have never met anyone who has found the current XMB difficult to navigate, however, others, as well as my self, have had problems with Sony not implementing the some seemingly easy to apply features into the interface. For example, on the PS3: the easy creation and re-naming of folders, and the sub-sequential movement of media into those folders. Why can't i rename a folder once games are in it? Why when I import an album, do I have to type in the album name into every individual song to organize it, rather then selecting so many songs at once, and just type in the album name? The are tricks (look em up), but it seems ridiculous to me that we must still do such roundabout methods, and as such, is the main reason I don't really use my PS3 for music and video playback. On that note, I wouldn't mind seeing either a new interface (worked well for Xbox 360) or even the spruced up XMB, with all errors of the current version fixed. I do like the XMB, I just feel its not to its true potentia
I dont get it. People like the PSP XMB when its the exact same thing as the PS3? I personally like it more then the 360 xbox guide. Since it has more options you can access.
LOL.
The PSP XMB is fine for that but the PS3 one is cluttered and checking messages sucks. It's not awful but it's not good
crapgamer, no they have not backed off the free online as you say, they've just implented additional stuff for the people that pay. It'll still be free online and things that would be unfair to get by paying, as cross-game chat will be available for everyone.
wow man you sure are a tool... PSN a joke? you are the joke, and sony hasnt backed off the free online part, they have said multiple times that online will remain free.
Rumored and supported by announcements, there are going to be substantial additions to the XMB due to "Bravia Video" and other features of the expanded PSN network. A SLIGHT redesign of the XMB might incorporate "folders" or levels of organization. We have been using the X-Y axis, we will need to use the Z axis also. With 3-D active this will be easy to implement.
XMB is easy to use. To me, the MS Dashboard is much more cumbersome.
Jesus Christ we can't even complain about the XMB now?
You fanchildren make me sick, the XMB needs a do-over it sucks, get over it.
it just needs to be seemless and fluid in game in internet etc
"ya but live costs MS to run" - what a stupid statement, it costs Sony, and Valve with Steam money to run those services as well but the difference with PSN/Steam is they are FREE!
Majority of MS games are P2P meaning YOUR INTERNET connection is being used to host servers yet they charge you for it where as the competition doesn't
Are you kidding? The XMB is great! In fact the 360's NXE is pretty much the XMB turned sideways! I've never had a problem with the XMB, sure there's room for some improvements and better categorization here and there, but overall it's the best and sexiest interface! You're out of your freakin' mind Examiner. There was never any 'cause for concern' over the XMB. 'Room for minor improvements'? Sure... but I'd prefer they just leave it the way it is. As do most PS3 owners! SGiven the Sony is using the XMB on the PSP, mobile phones and also on their HDTVs, I'm sure it's safe to say that there won't be any major changes like what the box 360 had. The new XMB will probably feature some other graphical and speed improvements and use the PSEye or the Move controllers for more interactivity. Sony was already showing off the XMB moving just using your hands and the PSEye camera a while back as a tech demo. SO it pretty much does what some people think only Natal can do...
Dear god please just give us cross game chat & dont make me pay for it
I'm glad sony will redesign the interface. I bet they will intergrate nexflix without a disk for one and it seems like sony copies nintendo somewhat lately which isn't a bad thing. Nintendo should update thier interface but sony I bet will have something between the 360 and the wii . windows like they use for ads and what is new in the weekly releases that can flip would be good.
EPIC FAIL!!!!
Dude Matt.... XMB was introduced on the PSX, not the PSP, get it right buddy...
"It's rough to use when playing a game, you can't easily navigate to your messages like you can on the Xbox 360 while in a game session, and people have been finding faults with the XMB over the years -- especially when it comes to the in-game XMB."
complete bullsh*!
When you use XBM during in-game, it only slows down. So how the hell is it hard to go to messaging?
and this site sucks, you can't comment on it via pse browser!
Cheapy D also "heard" that the PS3 version of Red Dead Redemption is "significantly inferior" to the 360 version.
Get over it. The XMB looks dull and out dated. Even with the most awesome dynamic theme the XMB still looks crap and bland. I say... GO AHEAD, PIMP MY XMB!!!
"The XMB has been a cause for concern by some PlayStation owners"
Instant FAIL.
The XMB Is slick, speedy and advert-free. It's a million times better than NXE was on my old Xbox.
@kongrot
Cheapy D got it wrong then. The PS3 version is getting the better reviews, with slightly lower resolution, but better textures, better lighting, better water effects, less pop-in than the Xbox version.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!