Avatar store coming next spring ...

[dougp]

According to the peeps over at VideoGamer.com, Microsoft will be launching an Avatar store next Spring where gamers can purchase and download additional customization options for their 360 Avatars.


"The plan of record will be to launch a more extensive Avatar Store from spring time onwards next year," said Live EMEA product manager Robin Burrowes. "That store in theory would have branded content in there, game publisher IP stuff in there as well." No surprise there.

To be honest, we're still torn about Avatars, the role they'll be playing in our New Xbox Experience, how Microsoft is approaching the monetizing of them and whether or not we'll be willing to pay for a Gears of War 2 t-shirt for our Avatar next Spring. Because ... you know ... an Avatar rockin' a Gears 2 tee would be rather badass.

Source: http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2...re-coming-next-spring/

 

[RedRooster]

Aye, Chee Wa Wa. Saw that coming.
If it'll be like themes and gamerpics and have the odd free item sometimes too, I'm all for it. Those that want to play dress up can get swindled, and the rest of us poor folk can pick through the free bargain bin for shirts without pit stains.

 

[Queasy]

I like the idea of Achievements based Avatar clothes/accessories. Something like get the Recon gear in Halo 3 and get a special Recon hat, shirt, whatever.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Queasy
I like the idea of Achievements based Avatar clothes/accessories. Something like get the Recon gear in Halo 3 and get a special Recon hat, shirt, whatever.

They had a similar thing with gamerpics - but too few games actually did it, though.

 

[blurredvision]

I also like the idea of achievement-earned avatar clothing. I also like the idea of the avatar store to buy "premium" stuff. If the price and product is right, I could see myself buying some original shirts or something to put on my avatar so I could stand out a bit from people on my friends list and games that use avatars. I anticipate lots of free stuff, so I don't mind a pay-to-wear service.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I also like the idea of achievement-earned avatar clothing. I also like the idea of the avatar store to buy "premium" stuff. If the price and product is right, I could see myself buying some original shirts or something to put on my avatar so I could stand out a bit from people on my friends list and games that use avatars. I anticipate lots of free stuff, so I don't mind a pay-to-wear service.

Agreed. Much better than the Wii implementation of them.

 

[jdport]

Am I the only one who doesn't "get" what the big deal is with avatars? Why does anybody care? I'm not criticizing here, just trying to understand just what it is people find fascinating enough about them that they'd be willing to buy clothes and accessories, etc. for them. If they are going to add avitars, I like the idea of achievement based stuff... gives you something slightly more tangible than "gamer points" to strive for, but I can't see myself ever actually spending money for a new avatar t-shirt or something.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: jdport
Am I the only one who doesn't "get" what the big deal is with avatars? Why does anybody care? I'm not criticizing here, just trying to understand just what it is people find fascinating enough about them that they'd be willing to buy clothes and accessories, etc. for them. If they are going to add avitars, I like the idea of achievement based stuff... gives you something slightly more tangible than "gamer points" to strive for, but I can't see myself ever actually spending money for a new avatar t-shirt or something.

Well, first off, I don't think anybody has claimed they were a "big deal". Second, since they are there, I think it will be cool to customize my guy so that when I'm in a party or playing a game that uses the avatars, people I normally play with will be able to instantly recognize me by my avatar instead of just a gamerpic or gamertag. While I wouldn't ask for something like avatars to be implemented, I might as well use them since they do offer some beneift, however small people may think it is.

I know my brother and I will be playing a lot of the new Uno game online, so it'll be cool to have our digital personas on-screen. It just gives a face to the personalities you play with.