Any time one video game company attempts to capitalize on another company's good idea, there's always a bit of backlash from the fans of the company copied. We can only imagine the kind of retribution Microsoft will soon face from fans of the Wii's Miis and the PS3's Home -- if our sources are accurate, their upcoming "Avatar" service bears a striking resemblance to Sony and Nintendo's pre-existing lookalike creators.
"Avatars", mentioned in an independent survey for Microsoft (as taken by an X3F tipster), will supposedly be used in place of gamer pictures, and will give Xbox Live subscribers an animated, customizable online persona. The meager amount of information provided for the service claims it will be available "this holiday for all Xbox Live connected members", and "this Spring for all new console owners."
This information lines up nicely with details recently relayed to Joystiq by a trusted source, who tells us that a robust "avatar" (source's term) creation service which blends the customization options of Home with the in-game functionality of Miis would comprise a substantial chunk of the 360's fall update. With the breath of E3 hot upon our nape, we're sure to hear something more concrete about this service in the coming month.
Reader Comments (157)
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 8:00PM FrankTheCrank said
Sticks fingers in throat and begins to dry heave.
Microsoft's typical answer to everything that is successful, emulate it.
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Microsoft's typical answer to everything that is successful, emulate it.
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 9:35PM bm111 said
I must second your HAHAHAHAHAHAHA and add a HAHAHAAHAHAAAAAAHAHAAA of my own. *cough*
Seriously, a message to all you Nintendo haters: Everybody copies the hell out of everything Nintendo does, they must be doing -something- right. Add this to the long, looong list of ways they have set standards for the industry throughout its history, and it's a company you just cannot disrespect without looking like a tool.
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Seriously, a message to all you Nintendo haters: Everybody copies the hell out of everything Nintendo does, they must be doing -something- right. Add this to the long, looong list of ways they have set standards for the industry throughout its history, and it's a company you just cannot disrespect without looking like a tool.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 7:39AM Korova Pamplona said
I havent seen anyone hating Nintendo for the Miis.
Your indignant generalization is amis
Reply
Your indignant generalization is amis
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 8:12AM MrHashbrown said
@ bm
Uh...well one thing Nintendo didn't set the standard for was the use of CDs and DVDs in home consoles....or online gaming either.
I know you didn't say everything was standardized by Nintendo, but you must also give credit to others where its due.
Reply
Uh...well one thing Nintendo didn't set the standard for was the use of CDs and DVDs in home consoles....or online gaming either.
I know you didn't say everything was standardized by Nintendo, but you must also give credit to others where its due.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 8:21AM (Unverified) said
So considering Microsoft CHARGE YOU FOR USING ANIMATED MSN AVATARS who much are these going to be?
MS users get screwed again!
Reply
MS users get screwed again!
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 5:50PM (Unverified) said
Sadly enough this will be out b4 Home is finished........smh
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Posted: Jun 15th 2008 7:12PM (Unverified) said
Sadly, Sony still has no cross game invites, in-game private chat, custom soundtracks or basic functions that the original Xbox had. HOME really shouldn't matter until these things launch.
I don't really care for avatars, but it's one more thing to add to an already complete online service.
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I don't really care for avatars, but it's one more thing to add to an already complete online service.
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 8:47PM KeenCommander said
$50 is a Wii game, 4-5 CD's, a nice dinner, lots of fast food, among other things. It really is a little extravagant for something that has been free on PC for more than 10 years. Not that it's generally quite as cohesive of an experience in PC games, but $50 a year still seems rather excessive.
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 7:51AM (Unverified) said
I just want my Home dammit.......fucka Avatar on Live.....
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 9:00AM spin cycle said
Rock Band has cross-game invites on PS3.
Do I want better features? Yeah, I think I do. I like Live.
Do I like paying for Live when they deliver me ads anyway? Nope. MS is just milking their users.
Reply
Do I want better features? Yeah, I think I do. I like Live.
Do I like paying for Live when they deliver me ads anyway? Nope. MS is just milking their users.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 9:47AM (Unverified) said
Why should we have to pay for a service that is free on the pc and comeptitors. Im gonnga get a 360 eventaully, but i don't look forward to paying.
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 8:50PM (Unverified) said
Thos titles you talkin bout what are they??
cause I guarantee you that 2 of them will be on the PS3 in a year or less.......lol
and its more than 1 AAA exclusive title on the PS3
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cause I guarantee you that 2 of them will be on the PS3 in a year or less.......lol
and its more than 1 AAA exclusive title on the PS3
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 6:06PM (Unverified) said
Damn right, I got so bored with my Mii I turned him into Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars.
I'd love a little emo Craig on my Gamercard....
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I'd love a little emo Craig on my Gamercard....
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 8:42PM DarknessBear said
@Slayer 2 posts above.
REASON it's so damn hard to pay for Xbox Live every year is due to it's insane amount of ad's(everywhere, even on the dashboard covering up the theme you bought), paying for themes, paying for gamerpics and it's crappy moderation so any douche bag can send you some disgusting picture or harass you without getting any punishment.
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REASON it's so damn hard to pay for Xbox Live every year is due to it's insane amount of ad's(everywhere, even on the dashboard covering up the theme you bought), paying for themes, paying for gamerpics and it's crappy moderation so any douche bag can send you some disgusting picture or harass you without getting any punishment.
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 9:42PM (Unverified) said
Exactly..
Lets not get it twisted. MS is clearly copying Nintendo and the whole "Mii" fad. However if they do it the right it could be even better. Especially with more customization and exra features.
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Lets not get it twisted. MS is clearly copying Nintendo and the whole "Mii" fad. However if they do it the right it could be even better. Especially with more customization and exra features.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 12:09AM (Unverified) said
@DarkNessBear
I'm fairly certain you just described the internet.
Reply
I'm fairly certain you just described the internet.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 1:00AM dargis49 said
Voodoo Graig, that is truly awesome you turned your Mii into Admiral Ackbar.
And who gives a shit if MS borrows a bit from Nintendo. Last time I checked, Sony tried ripping off the big N's controller (very unsuccessfully), Sony is trying rip off MS's Achievements and Nintendo's Mii's with Home.
MS already gave people a limited online personality with Xbox Lives Gamercard and Gamerpic's. So what if they flesh it out a little. Mii' are a little too kiddie for most people, and Home realistic characters are a little too, well, realistic looking. I think a lot of people will dig this.
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And who gives a shit if MS borrows a bit from Nintendo. Last time I checked, Sony tried ripping off the big N's controller (very unsuccessfully), Sony is trying rip off MS's Achievements and Nintendo's Mii's with Home.
MS already gave people a limited online personality with Xbox Lives Gamercard and Gamerpic's. So what if they flesh it out a little. Mii' are a little too kiddie for most people, and Home realistic characters are a little too, well, realistic looking. I think a lot of people will dig this.
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 6:00PM (Unverified) said
How much will this cost?
P.S. Do I get to make an avatar like Samfish's princess?
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P.S. Do I get to make an avatar like Samfish's princess?
Posted: Jun 15th 2008 5:55PM totorototoro said
I guess this is Microsoft's attempt at moving beyond their hard core young male audience (who probably don't give a shit about avatars, animated or otherwise)
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 1:51PM (Unverified) said
I'm all for it too, as long as you can set your avatar as your gamer picture. I've had way too many crappy gamer pictures before that i've had to pay for.
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Posted: Jun 15th 2008 5:58PM (Unverified) said
Wonder if they'll charge for clothing and facial features like they do with Gamerpics? =D
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Posted: Jun 15th 2008 8:33PM RobAccomando said
Hell, it will probably be 200 MS points to buy ONE "Avatar"
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 7:47AM PoisonedAl said
I like how you start accusing Microsoft for charging for this before ANY news of this comes out. BTW, by typing "M$", you lose at the internets! GAME OVER!
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Posted: Jun 16th 2008 7:58AM Korova Pamplona said
I'm gonna trick mine out to be totally gansta. With a big blinged out belt buckle and a purple jacket. And fat - like huge.
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Posted: Jun 15th 2008 7:30PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
Hey They are not pointless. You can...umm...well...
You can make Hitler. Now that's fucking awesome!!
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You can make Hitler. Now that's fucking awesome!!
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 10:28AM (Unverified) said
The one thing that I would love to see with these is the ability for game dev's to throw in customizable features in their games to add on to your 'Avatar'. Just outfits or whatever attached to certain achievements or something would be fun.
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Posted: Jun 15th 2008 5:58PM (Unverified) said
Sounds pretty gay to me. I don't even like the Mii I have on my Wii. Useless things
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