The next couple months may feel like some sort of divine unveiling in the world of Xbox gamers. Not only are we seeing a number of hugely anticipated multiplayer titles (Rock Band 2, Left 4 Dead, Gears of War 2) and single player titles (Fallout 3, Mirror’s Edge, Dead Space), we’re also seeing a brand new interface with added features, the “New Xbox Experience,” roll out on November 19th.

I’ve complained before that the New Xbox Experience (can I call it the “NXE”?) presents a potential problem to viewers on standard definition televisions; I only ever see it previewed on high-def, widescreen sets, and it looks like the text content has been squeezed into smaller spaces on the screen. So, of course, it was necessary to acquire a 37″ flat screen HDTV, which I have done.

I’m really looking forward to the new “party chat” function, which will allow you to have a private chat going with up to eight members at once (the current chat function only allowing one-on-one). This will allow me to play games with friends that don’t have a party system built in already, like Team Fortress 2, and will make it easier in general to avoid bratty teenagers calling me a fag and shouting at their mothers to bring them chocolate milk.

The preview video up at Kotaku, however, has me a little bit wary. The new Miis avatars have been so integrated into the system of representing players that your Friends list has been entirely replaced by an alleyway of avatars, with only a few visible at a time. The first thing I want to see when I log on, however, as quickly and efficiently as possible, is which friends are online already. I do not want to have to scroll through a bunch of avatars (whose appearance is likely to be constantly changing, making quick recognition tougher), only seeing screen names for the few that are immediately on screen. I really hope there is a text friends list easily accessible somewhere still. Not even buying a new TV can fix design errors that fundamental.

Anyway, I had better get back to work. Lots to do before taking a chainsaw to my friends this evening.