Proto:Xbox

This page details one or more prototype versions of Xbox.

In order for developers to test out their games on a dashboard, Microsoft sent out dashboard preview copies to developers in the Microsoft XDK for developers to try out. Some of these dashboards resurfaced onto the internet.

Designer Pitch

The designer who pitched the Dashboard's design still has the original pitch on their portfolio site. Along with it are two videos which most closely reflect the April 2001 build.

(Source: Seton Kim)

3424.1 (April 2001)

What stands out from this build is the text in the background, the lack of Xbox Live and with an unused "Games" tab being present.

Present for a split second at 4:16 is the early Xbox logo, seen to the right.

Something rather interesting, seen at 5:45, the games tab has the description "Go buy some games!". This could imply that you were originally going to be able to buy and download games from Xbox Live — Xbox 360 added said feature.

3521.1 (April 2001)

"Games" tab removed, so is the background text in the previous build. Some zoom in- and out animations were also added, similar to the final dashboard.

This version uses the early boot sequence.