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Halo-themed Avatar clothing spotted in the wild

by David Hinkle { Jun 27th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Select individuals have been seen sporting Halo-themed Avatar clothing recently, with fine young gentleman Randy No Arms being the latest spotted. It makes sense, considering the guy works for Microsoft, but are these new duds a part of the Avatar rewards beta, or is this the Avatar marketplace at work? Regardless, we're totally jealous he's sporting a slew of Halo-branded clothes, including a hat emblazoned with the UNSC symbol, a shirt with a pair of crossed energy swords, and a nice pair of khaki shorts with the Spartan helmet on the left leg.

Be sure to hit up our gallery below for some shots of the Avatar marketplace from E3, complete with Gears of War 2 and Halo storefronts.

Gallery: Avatar Marketplace

E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 11:45AM }

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

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Take a joyride with the first trailer for Joy Ride

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 2nd 2009 at 2:15PM }

When Microsoft announced the free-to-play, avatar-based Joy Ride at its press conference yesterday, the company also revealed a fancy new trailer for the microtransaction vehicle. The gameplay looks to be rather simplistic, with a heavy focus on vehicle customization and arcade-style racing, so if that's your kind of thang, have at it! The game's set to go live on ... Xbox Live this winter.

Avalook at James Cameron's Avatar

by Randy Nelson { Jun 2nd 2009 at 7:30AM }

Acclaimed -- and quite verbose -- director James Cameron today revealed the full extent of Ubisoft's involvement in the creation of his latest film, Avatar. In what's possibly a further sign of synergy between Cameron and Ubisoft, the very first glimpse of what Avatar actually looks like comes in the form of three images ... from the video game.

We thought the shot of winged beasts attacking the human gunship looked a little ... Halo; then we saw the ~~Warthog~~ Jeep-like vehicle with a soldier behind the wheel and -- well, have a look yourself at the gallery below.

Gallery: James Cameron's Avatar

James Cameron drops Avatar game details, everything ever about the movie

by Xav de Matos { Jun 1st 2009 at 11:51PM }

During Ubisoft's Pre-E3 press briefing, director James Cameron took to the stage to explain the process of developing Avatar the game ... and the film. In fact, Cameron explained so much of the film that we no longer feel obligated to see it when it hits theaters.

As for the game, Cameron notes Avatar has been in development for two years and will attempt to break free of the "bad movie game" stigma. In Avatar, players will enter the world of Pandora -- a moon around a gas planet. According to Cameron's lengthy presentation, the team at Ubisoft is committed to making Avatar the first major stereoscopic 3-D title. In the game, players may choose to adopt a Navi perspective during certain events of the game. Although details were slim (unlike Cameron's screen time), Ubisoft promises new details for the game will land sometime tomorrow.

Ubisoft creating over 100 shots for Cameron's Avatar film

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 1st 2009 at 8:35PM }

James Cameron's long-in-production sci-fi epic Avatar will apparently be getting a helping hand from an unexpected source. Ubisoft just revealed that it recently acquired a graphic design company named Hybride, which will help do a number of the CGI shots for the film. Cameron himself took the stage to explain the film's bumpy (and lengthy) production process, and how Ubisoft's recently acquired CG studio was lending a hand. Then he described the plot of the film for six freaking hours.

Uplay brings 'confluence' to Ubisoft titles

by Mike Schramm { Jun 1st 2009 at 8:34PM }

Ubisoft has just revealed a web-based service called Uplay, set to come out by the end of the year, that will enable people playing their games to connect up and share media, make purchases, and download game information, all through a standardized cross-game interface. It will premiere in their games later this year and will hope to accomplish Ubisoft's stated goal of "confluence": connecting developers with players and gamers with each other completely inside of the game menus themselves.

We're skeptical, but they haven't pulled back the curtain on what exactly it will offer Ubisoft fans yet. But we'll find out by the holidays, as the first games to support Uplay will be Splinter Cell: Conviction, Avatar, and Assassin's Creed 2.

New Avatar shoes available, fear the socks and sandals option

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 13th 2009 at 8:40AM }

Now your Avatar can commit a high crime of fashion: wearing socks with sandals. Seriously, it's not OK. We're totally Mommie Dearest "no wire hangers" serious about it. The abomination is only one of pret-a-porter options the Avatars have available in the latest clothing update.

His:

Flip Flops
High Top Sneakers
Socks and Sandals
70's Leather Platforms

Hers:

Sunny Day Sandals
White 60's Boots

Remember that new Avatar clothing options are marked with a gold star. Also, remember to immediately block and remove any friends with the socks and sandals on their Avatar. It's a sin!

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New hip-hop avatar clothing now available

by Ben Gilbert { Apr 22nd 2009 at 12:00PM }

We'll admit it: The reason there isn't a lady up top is because we didn't want to delete our precious avatar. We crafted him so carefully! Either that, or we're totally lazy. No matter! As you can see (at least partially) above, new clothing -- hip-hop themed clothing, at that -- has arrived for your Xbox Live avatar.

Major Nelson's blog informs us the (still free) clothing comes in the female as well as the male variety, and we've listed below what your options are. We'll just be upfront and say it -- where's the oversized men's jacket with a myriad of patches for various sports teams? And the Kanye shades? Eh? EH?! Hit the break for all the details on the new clothing, gangstas.

[Thanks, Julian!]

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VH1 and Nickelodeon join PlayStation Store, first episode of KINGS free

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 19th 2009 at 4:15PM }

The PlayStation Network video service has been open for about eight months now, and it continues to grow. Users will find an expanded selection today, with two new partners joining the service: VH1 and Nickelodeon. Now PS3 and PSP owners will be able to download Avatar, iCarly, Invader Zim, SpongeBob SquarePants, Confessions of a Teen Idol, Sober House, and more. As usual, SD episodes cost $1.99 each.

In addition to the new content providers, NBC and PlayStation have teamed up to provide the pilot episode of NBC's new series, KINGS, free for PS3 and PSP owners. Simply visit the PlayStation Store and you'll be able to download the 80 minute debut in SD or HD for free.

See the top video downloads of the week after the break.

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Brain Challenge title update adds Avatar support

by Dustin Burg { Mar 11th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Brain Challenge just joined the short list of Xbox Live Arcade games that support Avatars, as confirmed by Major Nelson's recent Tweet. Avatar support is installed into Brain Challenge via a new title update, automatically downloaded the next time you launch the game online. While we'll take our cameos wherever we can get 'em, Brain Challenge wasn't exactly the next destination we had in mind for our cartoon likenesses. Street Fighter II HD on the other hand ... now that's the kind of game we could really see ourselves in!

Gallery: Brain Challenge (XBLA)

New western Avatar clothing for the cowboy in us all

by Dustin Burg { Mar 10th 2009 at 9:55PM }

Brand new Avatar apparel is available via the Xbox 360's Avatar customizer and, this week, it's all about the western flavor. The new western-wear is supposedly inspired by this week's South by Southwest celebration, but we think the design team just wanted to see what a female Avatar looked like in a knee high denim dress. Well ... now we know.

For the Cowboys

Black Cowboy Hat
Rodeo Jeans
Black Trench Coat
Western Duster
Cowboy Boots

For the Cowgirls

Cowgirl Shirt
Rhinestone Cowgirl Hat
Denim Skirt
Dungarees
Cowgirl Boots

Dress up in leather with Lost & Damned Avatar apparel

by Dustin Burg { Feb 16th 2009 at 7:55PM }

Microsoft has added a touch of leather to the Avatar closet, delivering biker themed clothing to celebrate the release of Grand Theft Auto IV's The Lost & Damned downloadable content.

As has been the norm, all clothing is free and denoted by a yellow star in the Avatar customization application. Sadly, there is no miniature Avatar motorcycle to go with the new biker duds.

Guys: Rocker Jacket, Pixie Boots, Grunge Pants, Metal Combats, Top Hat, Skull Ring, Leather Biker Gloves, Left Feather Earring, Right Feather Earring
Gals: Punk Tee, Black 60's Boots, Leopard Print Leggings, Biker Jacket, Biker Gloves, Skull Wrist Band, Left Feather Earring, Right Feather Earring

Online 'Free Your Avatar' application goes global

by Dustin Burg { Feb 12th 2009 at 10:47AM }

Once exclusive to the UK's Xbox.com web space, Microsoft's online, photo tinkering Free Your Avatar tool just released to most all global Xbox.com sites. The website relaunch also comes with the new ability to upload your own background and comes packed with "new props and goodies!" Joy!

The Free Your Avatar website gives you the ability to import your Avatar likenesses, plop them into a scene, add a few props and save the image to a computer or social networking site of choice. There are also Valentine's Day themed props, so you can create a V-Day card for your significant other. (Good luck with that.) The application is free (would you really pay for it?), so go piddle around for a while and see what ~~twisted~~ charming scenes you can create.

Just in time for Valentine's, Avatars receive formal attire

by Dustin Burg { Feb 11th 2009 at 12:05AM }

Check your Avatar closet, because freshly pressed clothing has just magically been added. Spiffy new (and free) formal wear, in fact. Male Avatars now have the option to wear a black formal suit and blue dress-shirt combo. Female Avatars have the option to sport a sexy (can we refer to Avatars as sexy?) red dress. We're also told that the new duds are perfect for this weekend's special holiday. That is, if you express your romantic feelings over Xbox Live.