Microsoft's new Xbox Home UI is being reworked after complaints over 'crowded' backgrounds

Microsoft started testing a new Xbox Home UI last year that will release in 2023, but fans haven't been impressed with the aging tiled interface that does nothing to show off the dynamic backgrounds and wallpapers available on the console . does. The new Xbox Home UI started out looking like a giant Xbox Game Pass ad, and now Microsoft is admitting that it looks a bit overcrowded.

"We heard from you that the changes to the top of Home haven't left enough room for you to enjoy your background, and it's become too crowded," Ivy Krislove, senior product manager lead for Xbox Experience, said in a blog post. " post today. "We've been working to balance experience, accessibility, functionality and the needs of our community to bring you a great and fresh home experience."

Microsoft is now rolling out the new Xbox Home UI to testers and pausing experimentation to prepare for bigger changes to come. Krislov says the Xbox team will share more on the new Xbox Home UI soon. Krislov says, "Thanks for all the feedback you've shared. It's an important part of our process, and our team is working hard to incorporate it into the experience and bring it to you for use."

I wasn't a fan of the new Xbox home interface, and I'm hoping to see something like we've seen from a number of fan concepts that put the background at the heart of the UI and offer a lot more customization.

It's encouraging to see Microsoft responding to criticism and fan feedback regarding this part of the Xbox dashboard. Microsoft has redesigned the Xbox dashboard several times over the past decade, but it now looks like it's largely in a good place, and the Xbox DVR feature is getting a refreshed Xbox Home UI to make it feel more complete. To be. and needs some improvement.

Microsoft has added some useful features to its Xbox dashboard over the years, including Discord integration, a night mode, a 4K dashboard, and some great energy-saving options.