New Xbox Dashboard Update: The End of GameSpot?

With Microsoft's newest renovation to the Xbox 360's dashboard dropping August 11th [1], it seems the LIVE experience has become like a vintage wine: Only getting better with age. Amidst the plethora of 25+ new features and improvements [2] like full 360 games on demand, awardable avatar items, and new and improved streamline media content, it seems a win-win situation for all parties involved. But are all the features good or particularity beneficial?

Take the new user ratings for example, where members of the LIVE community can instantly rate games and content using a 5-star rating system similar to that found on the Ipod or Microsoft's Windows Media Player, and peers can then in turn search for games based upon their ratings. Initially, the idea seems beneficial and a failsafe to downloading poor content, but one can't help but wonder how this will effect other online communities such as GameSpot where reader reviews and forum participation are a critical factor in keeping the community thriving.

If reviews are readily available through Microsoft's LIVE marketplace is this the end of professional or user reviews on the world wide web? After all, the 5-star system is simple and easy at a glance without the trouble of reading through the occasionally biased or poorly written outlooks of peer and professional alike. Are the days gone where gamers had to venture from the safe sanctuary of their couches to do a little informative research when a download is readily available with user rating intact?! Or will this simplified and dumbed down review system simply salivate the hunger of gamers to do more in depth research before downloading content?

In good form I've asked a few fellow gamers and users of GameSpot their opinions on the upcoming updates. Here's a few comments I'd like to post:

Uther007 of GameSpot comments, "Well if people didn't write such long reviews like you do I'd be more inclined to read them. Why read a novel about the game when I could just play it? The 5-star system is perfect for me, when I want to get my game on, I want to get my GAME ON!!"

Bearikus of the LIVE community states, "That 5-star crap is too vague! Everything is usually rated 3 ½ stars because people either give everything a 1 or a 5. Wouldn't that make the rating a 3? Nope, you've actually got the occasional smuck who think his opinion really matters . I'll still be online to read reviews, it won't change anything.

Well, there you have it. I suppose only time will tell as the update is scheduled for just over a week away. Anyhow, I'll look to see you then, drop me a line on LIVE at KenseiKoach or hit me up on GameSpot. Either way, good luck, and good gaming. Play on.

[1] http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemupdates/default.htm
[2] http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=8ABF415B-1A64-67EA-E4B4917E9C4BE7C7

Reviewing sites will never die becausI read reviews for technical issues something a star system can't tell me. Either way though I could care less about reviews as I enjoy games that get horrible scores.

Ha! I can't believe you quoted me! Ah well, guess everyone knows where I stand.

You can't really compare the two. Gamespot actually gives a break down of what the highs and lows are.

i really didnt see a probolem with the dashboard before i got live. i like that one better. i dont want to create an avatar and dress him upi want to play my games and music!! ive had live for a few months now and the newest setup still confuses me

I won't stop going to GameSpot. They have really thorough reviewers that know what they're talking about. Yes, I will try out the Dashboard review system, but that doesn't mean I'll stop trusting GameSpot for quality reviews.

The Xbox is one of many systems, and even those with an Xbox will likely have another system. Bottom line, with or without the new dashboard, users will still use gamespot for other systems, if not still for the Xbox.

easy: player reviews with WORDS. sorry, i prefer to actually know what they gave a 5 star for EXACTLY, instead of just saying "the WHOLE GAME is great"

Because of user ratings? No, they won't kill review sites.

Reviewing sites will never die becausI read reviews for technical issues something a star system can't tell me. Either way though I could care less about reviews as I enjoy games that get horrible scores.

craigalan23

scores are arbitrary, reviews are not... well if done correctly they aren't.

Basically I read reviews to see what is in a game. How do the controls work?, is there much of a story, will I have to repeat/backtrack through levels, does it require a walk-through, any grinding, will it challange my intelect, and does it live up to the marketing hype. You can't find out this stuff using a 5 star rating.

Gamespot will be fine.

Personally I will stick to what I normally do which is do some research look around some of the sites and decide which game is for me with a demo or a beta. There is no way a star system on XBL is going to cover the pros and cons of the game.

most people will rate something 5 star if they like it a 1 star if they dont like it. people are kinda stupid and dont have a middle ground. i'll leave it to the pros

most people will rate something 5 star if they like it a 1 star if they dont like it. people are kinda stupid and dont have a middle ground. i'll leave it to the pros

pete_merlin

[QUOTE="pete_merlin"]

most people will rate something 5 star if they like it a 1 star if they dont like it. people are kinda stupid and dont have a middle ground. i'll leave it to the pros

Caddy06_88

[QUOTE="chaoscougar1"] plus has anyone read half the user reviews on this website? people barely reach the minimum word count, id rather a little more reasoning to a review than just 'this game is the best, its grafix are teh coolest, gameplay is fun and you get to shoot people blah blah blah blah need to fill word limit blah blah blah'Caddy06_88

The new 'star' reviewing system will be nice in a couple of ways. For instance, those of us browsing through Arcade games or DLC looking for something to get will get grabbed by certain things they see.

Premium theme for Halo 3, you say? That sounds cool. But hey, look here, it says that people weren't very happy with it. Maybe I should go and find out whats wrong with it on the computer?

or maybe

Wow, I've never heard of this game, Braid, but its really highly rated. Maybe I'll go and check out what its all about on the computer.

Put simply, it'll be a way to weed out the garbage from the more acceptable stuff. No, its not a perfect system as users can just be stupid and score it something they know it blatantly wrong or score things that they haven't downloaded or something. But its better than nothing, and if you look at user scores compared to critic scores for most games, they're typically pretty close. As long as the majority are posting serious reviews, it'll average out those who aren't.

And it certainly wont replace gaming review sites like Gamespot. If anything, it'll make them more important as it will get people going to them to see what all the ratings are about. And really, if people are dumb enough to buy a game or some content based solely on some '5 star user review', then thats their problem. Most people are going to be smart enough to care more about what a review has to SAY, then just judge based solely on the final score, which is typically the most subjective part of a review.