Xbox Exec Shows Off New Version Of The Blades Dashboard They’ve Been ‘Cooking Up’
Xbox has unveiled a modernized version of the iconic Blades dashboard from the Xbox 360 era, with CTO Scott Van Vliet recently showcasing the project on social media. The dashboard redesign is being developed as part of Xbox Labs, a new division announced by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to research and explore emerging technologies in gaming. Van Vliet has shared footage of the recreated Blades dashboard running in a web browser, demonstrating the feasibility of bringing back the beloved interface.
The revival comes in response to waves of creative AI-driven modding and game mashups seen online in recent months, including projects that have combined games like Minecraft with Elden Ring, Halo with Fallout, and Skate with Call of Duty. Xbox Labs represents the company’s effort to explore how such emerging technologies and community-driven innovations could benefit the platform.
The Blades dashboard was a defining feature of the Xbox 360 generation, and its return has been a long-standing request from the gaming community. Earlier this year, Asha Sharma hinted at the possibility of bringing back the classic interface in her first social media posts as Xbox boss. Now, with Van Vliet’s prototype demonstration, the company appears to be seriously exploring how to modernize and potentially integrate retro design elements alongside current functionality.
While Xbox Labs is still in its early stages, the organization signals Microsoft’s commitment to exploring innovative and experimental technologies that could shape the future of gaming on its platform.