Why is the Xbox One so ugly?

[DrunkOnEstus]

I think it looks...inoffensive. Exactly what they're going for. If it looks "cool" or like "one of those toy game machines", they'll drive away this ESPN/TV market they're chasing. Sony sold a lot of PS3s when it was the cheapest blu-ray player in town, alas a lot of people already have smart TVs and boxes that perform the same functions that the Xbone does. It looks like what they want it to be: A set-top box that controls everything in your living room. Too bad this conversation has fuck-all to do with video games.

 

[EHKOS]

I don't think its ugly, kinda makes me nostalgic for old VHS systems. Now if we could get a system with some wooden framing like the Atari, now that would be stylin'.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Your alias and avatar work wonders for that post.

OT: I actually really like it, despite the fact I hate Xbox with a burning passion, so it's hard for me to say. But it is a cool, retro look.

 

[hazabaza1]

It looks like an even fatter Ps3. So I guess they're trying to do that now? Good for them I guess.

 

[TheKwertyeweyoppe]

I get the feeling they're trying to disassociate it from gaming, and get it looking like a media box, since that's what it's basically becoming.

 

[Roxor]

One trope to explain it:

Everything Is An Ipod In The Future [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EverythingIsAnIpodInTheFuture]

No, seriously. Everyone has been copying Apple's little music player for the last decade, and Microsoft is no exception. Would a little variety kill you, Mr Balmer?

 

[CannibalCorpses]

It's a tool of function...who cares what it looks like?

It's what's inside that worries me but unless Sony break the PS4 i'm going back to the company that i last enjoyed playing games with...fuck you Micro(transaction)soft

 

[Andy Shandy]

See, I quite like the look of it.

No worse than the Xbox 360 anyway.

 

[RJ 17]

My theory is that they were specifically trying to design a console that no one would want. Judging by all the news that's out about it thus far, I'd say they succeeded.

Seriously, it's like they brought in consultants from EA and said "Alright, we've got the basic build for our next-gen console. What extra things can we stuff into it that gamers neither wanted nor asked for?" "Hmmmm...you know that Kinect piece of shit that no one bought? Yeah, make that mandatory."

 

[kamay]

big consoles need love too man

 

[Jimmy T. Malice]

It's what's on the inside that matters.

Unfortunately, what's on the inside is a TV box that only works in America and a downright Draconian DRM scheme. So zero points all round, Microsoft.

Captcha: Describe CASIO with any word(s). I put 'delicious'.

 

[Ickorus]

Spoiler

To be honest, I don't think it looks terrible, It isn't particularly creative but it isn't ugly either in my eyes; I just wouldn't pick it out if I was choosing a new case for my PC.

Not that it affects me anyway, I've never been an Xbox user and all the stuff I've been hearing about this iteration isn't making me any more willing to become one.

 

[BBboy20]

It looks like the Wii so I suppose they're not hiding that they want that casual audience.

One Hit Wonder...sadly, that's directed at Nintendo, I think.

 

[Little Gray]

It's a tool of function...who cares what it looks like?

It's what's inside that worries me but unless Sony break the PS4 i'm going back to the company that i last enjoyed playing games with...fuck you Micro(transaction)soft

Yay I am not alone. Seriously who cares what the little box sitting on a shelf under your tv that you will barely ever look at except for five seconds when you put in a disk looks like.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Simplicity. They want a entry-level everything-feature product for the TV, and a simple look makes people more likely to buy it as it seems easy to use!

Simple doesn't have to be ugly. It can be simple and look slick. They could have at least rounded the edges a bit. This looks boring and uninspired. Like Microsoft, I guess.

 

[Hazy992]

Of all the things Microsoft announced yesterday, the way the actual console looks is the thing I care least about. We all knew it was going to be some sort of black box and lo and behold it is. It's going under your TV anyway[footnote]If you're buying one, I'm certainly not[/footnote] so who cares?

And I don't even think it looks bad. It's actually quite slick.

 

[Not Matt]

there are a lot more questions than that

why is it ugly?
why isn't it backwards compatible?
why is there live tv, i obviously already have a tv (and if not, then you should priorities)?
why is it called one ?
won't the voice control go to hell if you have an accent?
does this damn thing have any games for it or not?
What does it cost?
does it do retail or not?
will it be a good coaster for my drink?
is it as noisy as the 360?


honestly. this thing feels less appealing than the wiiU for the moment. it doesn't really seem like any product testing or listening to feedback was being done in the processe of making this thing.

 

[chstens]

Why do we care? No really, why do we care. Isn't the games what's actually important?

 

[MindFragged]

I think the 360's a smidge ugly, and the PS3. Maybe I don't like curves on my machines.

This. if it doesn't go in my hands, I'm all about the polygons.