Microsoft contemplating for-pay Avatar accessories

by Randy Nelson { Aug 1st 2008 at 8:25PM }

In an interview with VentureBeat, Xbox Live chief John Schappert confirmed that Microsoft is looking at the possibility of charging users for accessories that can be used to customize their Avatars. When asked about such plans, Schappert replied, "That may be in the future." But what about the near-term? "We want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall," he said.

Given the precedent set early on with for-pay customization items such as gamer pics, the fact that MS might charge for more "exotic" Avatar extras certainly doesn't surprise us. We also wouldn't be surprised to see free accessories created to promote upcoming games, films, and events, much in the way promotional game pics and themes are currently offered. So, that Spartan armor helmet? It'll be, oh, 100

. But that totally radical Mountain Dew Extreme Sports Action Experience billboard hat is on the house.

Tags: avatars, dlc, microtransactions, new-xbox-experience, nxe, xbox-avatars

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

OTAM @ Aug 1st 2008 8:29PM

Didn't see this coming.

Nope...not at all.

*roll eyes*

Nickel and dime folks...nickel and dime..

Vince UK @ Aug 1st 2008 9:01PM

MS don't know what's coming, as soon as Home is released they'll have a better idea of how to proceed.

Sean @ Aug 1st 2008 9:36PM

Uhh... the're not making you buy anything. If want it, you can buy it. If you don't want it, don't spend the money.

MS doesn't force you buy anything.

The problem is that a lot of people are buying gamerpics and themes and all the other 100-200 point items that fill xbox live. Consumers want this stuff and are willing to pay for it.

That's why MS allows it, because people actually buy it. If nobody bought it, it would be free or not exist at all.

For me, if some dumb shi- decides he wants to buy horse armor or some stupid gamerpic I don't care because it's their money, not mine.

Vince UK @ Aug 1st 2008 10:03PM

"MS doesn't force you buy anything."

Unless you want to play online of course.

BananaBoat @ Aug 1st 2008 10:10PM

You know what? If there are children out there with expendable cash, a need to feel like they've somehow one upped their friends via purchases of fake clothes.....they deserve to be fleeced.

I'm so glad the avatars can be turned off and are not mandatory...so freaking glad.

OTAM @ Aug 2nd 2008 3:58AM

Yeah,Microsoft doesn't force you to buy anything,but everyone knows your avatar is completely shitty and lame with the default options.

I mean,Microsoft doesn't force you to buy rope,they just push you right up the edge of the cliff.

Omega2k3 @ Aug 2nd 2008 4:49AM

OH HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, WHY?!

Who on Earth would have ever in their wildest dreams think that they would actually think about charging money for gamerpic replacements? Oh wait, it's the exact same shit that we've been fine with this entire time, but in 3D.

Consumerist wannabes.

Eh @ Aug 2nd 2008 3:49PM

"Microsoft preparing for-pay Avatar accessories"

*fixed

Shogan @ Aug 1st 2008 8:32PM

Contemplating... right. It's already been decided. They saw all the people wanting accessories for Mii's and knew they could make money on this.

I'll fall for it... :)

Mr Khan @ Aug 1st 2008 9:42PM

I probably would too

Not individually priced accessories, but, in the Wii's case, i'd pay for an expanded version of the channel

Though Nintendo will probably give a free update for that, as it's core console functionality

Mr.ESC @ Aug 1st 2008 8:33PM

And people would want to buy this stuff because?

I once bought a Dashboard theme and I still regret it, it seems companies don't put effort in the themes or Images that are selling in the xbox marketplace I don’t see this being any different.

Also the best Images and Themes so far are free.

iamtakk @ Aug 1st 2008 8:33PM

Give me a Nathan Explosion avatar to go with my Theme and I'll gladly pay for it. :)

Danny @ Aug 1st 2008 8:36PM

Is there an add-on to stop your avatar looking like a retired Buzz Lightyear?

Chase @ Aug 3rd 2008 6:14AM

*retarded

Curmeo 2.0 @ Aug 1st 2008 8:37PM

those avators look retarded for some reason. they're like a gross mutation of a Mii and a Home avator.

Obie @ Aug 1st 2008 8:50PM

I think the large foreheads, pasty skin and tiny eyes.
They all look like Corky from "Life Goes On".

crosh bondocot @ Aug 1st 2008 9:06PM

Obie's onto something...

I hope it's not too late to change my Gamertag name to Woll Smoth (http://video.aol.com/video-detail/woll-smoth/1631678980?icid=acvsv1)

Sharp @ Aug 1st 2008 8:38PM

Wow, OTAM you are a hell of a mind reader. I was just going to say the same thing. That or I guess it's so obvious that anything MS does on it's 360 is directly connected to Nickel's and Dime's.

I think if they could get away with charging for the dashboard itself they would. When was the last time they actually did something for the gamers that isn't connection to pimping a product or a new revenue stream? Not only MS themselves but they encourage all of their partners to do the same. Case in point if you look at the SF IV Summer 08 theme or any of the Soul Caliber themes they are free on PSN while 360 owners get the pleasure of paying for them. It's all about choice, pay what they want or GTFO.

Just like paying for your avatars and themes MS I will be passing on all of this.

spritethirstman @ Aug 1st 2008 8:40PM

This kind of shit makes me root for sony and nintendo. We already pay just to access xbox live, and then we are further inundated with all kinds of other nonsense that requires extra money, *and* we have to look at advertisements to boot. You know what this reminds me of? Have you ever seen the ferengi home world on star trek DS9? Yeah, I think so too.

There will be some that say 'if you dont like it, don't buy it' I agree. I also think that dinky little things like this should be free. Which is why I hope Sony & Nintendo's online strategy wins over M$.

Vince UK @ Aug 1st 2008 10:08PM

Ferengi home world relevance +1.

Ken Shammy @ Aug 1st 2008 8:42PM

Do not. Doooo noooot.
If they want money at least make it a bit more subtle. Liiike. Buying shit from XBL or using Netflix gets you 'points' which you can then 'spend' on the avatar's 'clothes'.

Obie @ Aug 1st 2008 8:50PM

Hmmm, you might be on to something there!

theturtle363 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:05PM

that's a great idea they wont use

juju187 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:09PM

sounds like what sony is doing with home and trophies

JoeTheBlow @ Aug 2nd 2008 12:05PM

Yeah in Home you can supposedly fill your apartment with cooler shit the higher game level you are.

This will also create a side-effect of people buying up trophy enabled games (Burnout and Uncharted sales will skyrocket) in order to live in a swanky penthouse instead of a Ikea filled crapshack.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:46AM

@JoeTheBlow: I happen to like my Ikea-filled crap shack, thank you very much. :P

tmmoore_nc @ Aug 1st 2008 8:43PM

They're comtemplating all right...how much this tie will cost and how much that left shoe will cost.

Obie @ Aug 1st 2008 8:47PM

Like I said before my avatar will be wearing BVD's...who the hell would pay for Goddamn virtual clothing???????????

Ken Shammy @ Aug 1st 2008 9:16PM

http://gaiaonline.com/

:(

rv @ Aug 1st 2008 8:48PM

I can't wait to buy the nude patch for my avatar...

Seriously, this is fucking bullshit.

Ben @ Aug 1st 2008 8:48PM

This is a bad move, and only plays into the money-grabbing stereotype.

But I guess if idiots want to dress their Avatars up in horse armour, let them.

knighty @ Aug 1st 2008 8:48PM

If noone buys them then they have to change their strategy, but unfortunately people do buy them...

DarkNessBear @ Aug 1st 2008 8:50PM

Sucks because they will make profit no matter what. Say 200 people purchase a new hat that's pretty much all profit...

DangerMouse @ Aug 1st 2008 8:57PM

They should be paying the people actually willing to use that crap.

theturtle363 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:03PM

i bought like 4 Batman themes and pic sets, if i could have a Batman avatar.....

theturtle363 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:05PM

no wait, you know what? That would fucking suck cause it would look like a slightly less blocky Lego Batman!

juju187 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:11PM

i bet you would masterbate to it, Oh christian bale...
(I wish the joker won in the dark knight)

Obie @ Aug 1st 2008 9:30PM

Sorry dude, but people like you make the MS marketplace suck.

Mr Khan @ Aug 1st 2008 9:45PM

But the Joker didn't *want* to win

Ultimately he figured it was too much fun just being an anarchistic terrorist, and once a terrorist wins, he no longer needs to be a terrorist

Part of the mystique of his psyche

theturtle363 @ Aug 1st 2008 10:11PM

if they didnt make it suck in the first place people like me wouldnt use it further. Besides dude it's fucking Batman

Lord Bowser @ Aug 2nd 2008 6:48AM

Batman was overated, to be honest.

Ben @ Aug 2nd 2008 11:36AM

Bowser, I would expect nothing less from you. I'm never disappointed by my expectation of your disappointment!

Citanuzuki @ Aug 1st 2008 9:12PM

http://www.hongfire.com/cg/showphoto.php/photo/68693/si/Pirate

Obie @ Aug 1st 2008 9:26PM

Hahaha great stuff!

LA2two @ Aug 1st 2008 9:25PM

It'd be much better if they used the gamerpoints as the currency for stuff like this. Look at EAs sports world thing they are doing for an example. EAs isn't as fleshed out of course but MS could run away with that idea and give a reason to these gamerpoints other than e-peen.