Well, well, well, what have we here? Looks like we're finally getting some real evidence that Microsoft really does have some sort of response to Nintendo's Miis on the way. It's been rumored for some time now and the above shot of the linked flash page seems to portend the end of the rumors. Giving the rumor more credibility is that the information contained in the image, supposedly taken from an online survey, conforms to details recently given to Joystiq by a trusted source. These "Xbox Avatars" certainly look to do everything that Miis do and more.
Taking into account that Microsoft doesn't seem too troubled by the rest of the year, this, along with the rumored "Newton" controller, could possibly be what they're betting the farm on.
Hmm ... E3 should sure be interesting this year ...
[Thanks Mighty Healthy]
Rumor: "Avatars" are Microsoft's take on Mii's?
Posted Jun 15th 2008 2:00PM by Terrence Stasse
Filed under: News, Xbox Live, Rumors
Tags: avatar, mii, xbox-avatars, xbox-live
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
6-15-2008 @ 2:28PM
Xoviet chiK said...
You think they rip you off for Game Pictures and Themes now?
Ugh, I don't want to imagine the hundreds of thousands of shirts, hats, dresses, shoes, accessories, pants, etc... sitting on XBLM for 80-200 MS Points a pop. And we think XBLM is cluttered, unorganized, and nearly unnavigable now?!?
Though, they do seem cool. And conversely, the one major problem with Miis is that there aren't enough options. So maybe downloadable content would be a welcome addition. Wonder how long until XBLA gets flooded with "LIVE Avatar Compatible" games?
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:28PM
Roto13 said...
And exactly what percentage of the customization options will they make you pay for?
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 6:01PM
kevin said...
PLAYSTATION HOME RIP OFF
6-15-2008 @ 7:39PM
DemonGSides said...
RETARD RIPOFF!
Wait, nevermind, you are obviously the real deal. Truly retarded, through and through.
6-16-2008 @ 8:57AM
Dr. Jones said...
God forbid someone copy someone else's idea. We live in a world where all ideas are original and none are stolen or copied.
6-15-2008 @ 2:29PM
Tess said...
Heh? What's the "will be used in place of the gamer picture you have today" mean? Are gamerpics going buh-bye? I hate Miis, Meez, and all the bobble headed cartoonish crapola.
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:33PM
todd said...
Why winter for live members and spring for new owners? Why not Spring for all?
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:41PM
Studley said...
I guess it means that existing console owners will be able to download them this winter (possibly via a dashboard update), but that if you buy a new console from spring, they'll come with the avatars feature pre-enabled, without needing to download an update.
6-15-2008 @ 2:55PM
Iced_Eagle said...
Maybe they're using the current Live members as guinea pigs :)
6-15-2008 @ 2:39PM
Superduperm said...
I love my gamerpic... its the weighted companion cube!
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:39PM
Giuse said...
It would be cool if you could buy castle crashers avatars or Dishwasher avatars
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:40PM
GANNONSMASH said...
Having actually spent money on gamerpics, I'd be pretty pissed if they became obsolete. That said, The idea is sorta cool.
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:42PM
Iced_Eagle said...
Oh god, just imagine the micro-transactions.
PLEASE MS, stop charging for meaningless stuff! I know there was nothing mentioned, but I want to say it before it happens.
I think it would be very cool if new costumes would come out when new games are released. Like some COG armor when GoW2 is released, some sort of Fable2 outfit, etc
Though obviously I think even better than doing micro-transactions would be to have the costumes unlocked when you put the game in.
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:53PM
Xoviet chiK said...
Nice! Pop a game in, unlocks content. Should be like that with all game related Gamer Pics / Themes (by choice, of course).
Also, synching your Avatar in Fable II with your LIVE Avatar would be pretty cool (different aesthetics / stylizations, of course). I can totally get behind a Mii rip-off if it's done right.
6-15-2008 @ 2:50PM
007craft said...
the miis are one of the lamest things about the wii. Sure these avatars look better then those stick figue like miis, but their still lame. Leave gamerpics and give us an option to use any picture we ant from our computer. I dont want a retarded avatar to represent myself online. I dont care what my virtual character looks like in anygame.
Reply
6-15-2008 @ 2:55PM
Xoviet chiK said...
"Any Picture We Want From Our Computer"
Every other person you meet would have a Penis or a Nipple. The others would have both. Can already capture one with a Vision Cam, proper lighting and set up and you can get some good GPs visible only to friends... should be enough for most, is for me :)
6-15-2008 @ 2:58PM
007craft said...
well i dont have a vision cam, and i shouldnt need one to have a custom gamerpic. And penis and nipple pics? man people who think these things are so ignorant. Is MSN filled with penises? are webforums that let you use custom avatars and signatures (almost all of them) filled with penises? NO. to think people would do this is just dumb. And suppose they wanted to do it, let them. Are you afraid of human body parts or something? we all have them.
6-15-2008 @ 3:05PM
Xoviet chiK said...
Well of course there is nothing wrong with Nipples and Penises, unless you live in the US in which that is what you are taught to believe. (Hurray for nudity!)
It's just Xbox LIVE is mostly a haven for socially inept racist homophobic miscreants. A normal, socially healthy person with a Penis or Nipple GP? I wouldn't mind it so much. A Socially inept racist homophobic miscreant with a Penis or Nipple? Spare me, please!
6-16-2008 @ 8:54AM
Dr. Jones said...
Sure, most MSN users and forum signatures/avatars don't use penises and nipples. But there always will be people who do that kind of crap... like the kids who send naked pictures of themselves to underage girls on Xbox Live.
It's more shit Microsoft has to filter out and just gives XBL a worse name.
6-15-2008 @ 2:51PM
Flip Top Eddie said...
I don't mind the idea of Avatars but I don't want to see them replace gamerpics. Hopefully they do unlock new customization options by playing games.
Reply