Rumor: Xbox Working on Mii-Style Avatars?

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, June 16, 2008 7:56 AM

Damn, everyone is jumping on the Wii-train; If it's not Sony supposedly building a motion controller, it's Xbox Live reportedly rolling out Mii-like avatars.

That's right. Based on a cache of documents leaked over the weekend, it looks like Microsoft may be changing out gamer-pictures for fully customizable, animated caricatures just like Nintendo...and the PlayStation Home, for that matter. If the documents are to be trusted (they look pretty reliable, but this is the internet), it seems logical that Microsoft is going to roll out the avatars at E3. Supposedly, Xbox aims to combine the customizability of Home with the in-game play of the Wii's little fake guys.

We're going to reserve judgment-- although it's very very hard not shout "WTF?" at the top of our lungs---and leave it up to you, the readers.

Psyched? Not-Psyched?

1up.com: E3 Leak 2008: Xbox Live Avatars Microsoft's Answer to Miis?

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Tags: Videogames, Wii, Xbox 360

Comment(s)

Posted by little_eddy - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:01 AM

this shows how scared Microsoft is of Nintendo. lol

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Posted by IN_YO_FACE - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:06 AM

no NO !!! i hate anything that is or look like sims

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Posted by LOAGEEKS (BANNED) - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:08 AM

EPIC FAIL!! avatars in general is a fail.

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Posted by kobebryantyanic - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:13 AM

First motion sensing, now this, what's next microsoft, WIIFIT? They came out with a failure system, and now they wanna rip off the ones that are successful, like sony and nintendo. That's pretty sad, it's like saying, i'm coming early to a party, and based on how people dress, i will dress the same way. Lucky for sony, they weren't able to copy off bluray.

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Posted by husker_360 - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:15 AM

^^^Sandy vagina poster alert^^^

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Posted by husker_360 - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:16 AM

P.S. As of now, MS is more sucessful than sony. Nintendo is still blowing both out of the water, so your logic FAILS.

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Posted by collinE - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:17 AM

I like these avatars a lot better than the nintendo mii and Home avatar, because of higher detail, but still retaining the cartoony appearance.

It's not an entire virtual space like Home, but it does steal a little of it's thunder.

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Posted by SGAanubisSG1 - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:35 AM

Wii = 16 and under, and old people

360/PS3 = Real Gaming System for real gamers.

Avatars = Lame

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Posted by xmywreckingballx - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:36 AM

Why can't Microsoft focus on more important issues or getting an update out on time. Why this? What is the point? I'm not going to check out all of my friend's avatars. And plus there are 500 games ALL READY RELEASED that will not involve these avatars. I could see them doing this for the third generation xbox. Maybe if they integrated it with future games like the wii. This i agree is a fail if they release it.

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Posted by Granaw - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:39 AM

Gamers= nerds who live with their moms, virgins, more than likely doewsnt take much showers.

Wii= Cool!

Seriously though its a turn off if ppl know your a "gamer".

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Posted by Spartan_458 - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:40 AM

WHY!?!?!?!? Please Microsoft, don't do this.

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Posted by blakseed - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:42 AM

O well. Whatever works for microsoft.

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Posted by TheRufio - Monday, June 16, 2008 8:52 AM

@Granaw

That was a terrible analogy of what a gamer is. If you think it is a turn off if girls know your a gamer, then you need to do better.

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Posted by Ulrichgaming - Monday, June 16, 2008 9:01 AM

@collinE

"I love the idea of MS's avitars"

Congrat's on being the first to contridict your thoughts on console avitars... just because MS is doing it now....

At least with home and the wii there is a point... MS has nothing unless they start bringing out sports games like the wii that can use your avitar...

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Posted by Tmidiman - Monday, June 16, 2008 9:16 AM

This is a good idea. Mii's on the Wii are cool, but Nintendo is always slow give customers what they really want, like more Mii's brought into games.

MS will, if deployed properly, allow other game makers to take better advantage if this feature. Kind of like how Nintendo is lagging in respects to Online service offerings. Nintendo know how to innovate, but is slow in deployment.

I'm sure the kids on here (read: fanboys and special needs people) think that the Wii is bad,thus everything about it is bad. That's ok. That's what kids do.

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Posted by Sandrock323 - Monday, June 16, 2008 9:37 AM

I think it is to soon to make any judgement and it is pointless to make assumptions. For all we know they might have leaked it on purpose to see what the market had to say. Also if they tied it in with the achievement system it might work, like the armor in Halo 3. Then again I'm a gaiaonline user so I don't have much say in the matter of avatars.

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Posted by dbzwiifan18 - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:04 AM

Its amazing how everyone tries to copy a "failure". There used to be a time when gaming was just for fun. Now its becoming like a bunch of crazy religious cult sects. Granaw's view of gamers is not too far of. The movie 40 year old version doesn't help gaming pr . i'm happy that the wii is making gaming social again for everyone.Hopefully it will end that crappy stereotype of the fat pale spaghetti armed antisocial virgin that most non gamers think of when they hear someone is a gamer.

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Posted by kasillas88 - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:07 AM

This will go great with M$'s new Wii-mote, they are always so innovative!!

/sarcasm

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Posted by darkmanXL - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:15 AM

I think this is a bad idea.. Focus on what brought you here, which is the the marketplace and XBOX LIVE as a whole.. As online experiences go IMO the 360 is best by a pretty big margin, I haven't touched my Wii in months.. With Home coming to PS3 soon (I'm interested to see how that will be) they should enhance what they have..

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Posted by Emberwolf06 - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:22 AM

I think they should give you a choice if you would like to use an Avatar. This is a step in the wrong direction. I think they should keep moving in the direction of the Xbox Live Vision Camera. I use it to make awsome pics of my guitars. The Avatars are eventuall ygoing to get boring because, like Wii, there may be more than one dark-haired boy in your house without any facial hair. That now may make two people look the same and eventually there's not many customization choices left.

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Posted by JayH - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:22 AM

a good idea. microsoft is using the things the wwi has and uses it better this. will make the 360 the perfect all around console.

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Posted by collinE - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:24 AM

@Ulrichgaming

don't be an idiot.

first- What? I'm lost here. I have no idea where your comment is coming from. I need a link to where I said "I love the idea of MS's avitars" because I honestly don't remember saying it.

second- How is that contradicting? "I love the idea of MS's avitars" fits in with my actual quote "I like these avatars a lot better." At the same time, it also fits in with my ACTUAL opinion of "avatars are ok, but nintendo's looks crappy, second life is lame, I'm a little nervous about what Home will be like, and Live's avatars look more appealing than Sony or Nintendo's."

third- didn't you know people's opinions can change over time? they just don't say it until there is a post that has to do with the issue.

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Posted by Eeganrac - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:25 AM

yeah this is great! i can't wait to see how xbox is going to charge us with creating our avatar. xbox is going to hose every single one of us! they will give you free, probably 3 options, then 200pts for this 300pts for that. and when a new game comes out, oh damn you can spend 1000pts so your avatar looks like ryu hayabusa. it is going to be fantastic!!!! so everyone get your credit card out and start getting you some points!!!! MS is a bunch of a$$clowns!

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Posted by sinister6972 - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:46 AM

I don't mind this for Microsoft. Hey, I look good on the Wii so I imagine how I'm gonna look on this one, LOL!!!

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Posted by JayH - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:47 AM

gamer = person who grew up on games not just some guy who never played a game writing rules on wha good for the 360

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Posted by JayH - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:50 AM

SGAanubisSG1

i agree the wii can be a bit childish but you are overexaggerating a bit

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Posted by JayH - Monday, June 16, 2008 10:58 AM

dbzwiifan18

how exactly is the wii making gaming social again? gaming was never a cult. you're saying anyone who plays games more than one hour is an antisocial virgin.I play games 6 hours at one time and i have a real girlfriend and an active social life

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Posted by Ulrichgaming - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:09 AM

@collinE

ok my post was a little sarcastic... I just find it funny how 360 fans bash innovation, unless MS copies and releases said innovation... next they will say that MS is building a world that you can walk your avatar around in and enter multiplayer games from.... then the 360 fans will be like "that's awesome I can't wait... this looks so much better than home".... 360 fans are so predictable

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Posted by kobebryantyanic - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:21 AM

@Granaw, do you consider yourself included in that category?

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Posted by staychisel (BANNED) - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:35 AM

even if this were true, it would still actually release, unlike sony's fabled HOME application..

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Posted by collinE - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:36 AM

Whoops. didn't hear the sarcasm. but I hope you're not saying I'm a 360 fanboy or something. I would say I'm more of a PS3 fan who only owns a 360 and wii... if that's possible. but I do think that MS's avatars look better.

As much as I love 'em, sony has taken forever with Home. maybe 360 fans are more excited because they know that they'll be getting it soon.

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Posted by Jimbodawg - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:48 AM

This will just cause the Wii to look even more ridiculous. Then, the Wii will be on one of G4's epic fails sometime next year.

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Posted by Jimbodawg - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:51 AM

@collinE

I'm no fanboy, but I agree with you. Sony has promised so much stuff, but it still hasn't come. However when Microsoft promises something, it comes very soon.
I own both the PS3 and 360, but so far, I've played my PS3 maybe 50 hours, and my 360 gets played everyday.

My old Wii belongs to some dude from eBay.

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Posted by BELROCK86 - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:53 AM

Wow, big shock Microsoft copying an idea from another company. This has got to be the dumbest idea ever I hate the Wii because of its casual player approach now Microsoft is doing the same thing. Knowing Microsoft you will be given the avatar but will have to pay for the clothes, hair, etc. I am starting to hate Microsoft I using my PS3 more and more as well as playing the greatest game ever made MGS4 as soon as the trophies and eventually Home are available Sony will once again dominate the console wars.

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Posted by urface789 - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:55 AM

im ok with the avatars. it would be cool to unlock new clothes and stuff for them (master chief helmet, bioshock big daddy costume, ninja gaiden weapon anyone?!?) but im kinda mad that it would replace the gamer pic, cuz i like those. theyre fun to pick out. but if microsoft does wat i said earlier than im cool with it

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Posted by mcp3 - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:58 AM

No, this shows how scared MS and Sony is of Nintendo. I still think this is a cool idea for XBL

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Posted by Ulrichgaming - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:02 PM

@Jimbodawg

Sony has had it's share of delays... but MS is not without delays as well....

something I find funny about MS... is that they are so pro movie downloads... but so anti game downloads..... sorry random off topic thought...

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Posted by urface789 - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:03 PM

also, to anyone tlking about microsoft copying from nintendo,

-EVERYONE COPIED
-rumble
-analog sticks

would u like ur xbox or ps3 if u wer still using dpads as the primary source for movement (o and im pretty sure nintendo created tht too)

2nd- avatars are NOT ninendos creation! plenty of things use avatars. (PS3 is also using it in home so stfu about microsoft)

Last- to anyone who tlks about the xbox/wiimote copy thing, it hasnt been confirmed! there are also rumors about ps3 and wiimotes. it was also the ps3 who implemented a (gimmicky) version of motion sensing controls to their own controller shortly AFTER nintendo unveiled the wiimote!!

Nintendo revolutionizes! its up to the rest to improve on their ideas!

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Posted by urface789 - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:05 PM

"something I find funny about MS... is that they are so pro movie downloads... but so anti game downloads..... sorry random off topic thought.."

dude, what? xbox live arcade AND the addition to buy full games from the original xbox. theyre pro game download, and theyre doiong it pretty well

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Posted by BONERJAM - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:06 PM

I kinda like it. I wanna make a little zombie guy.

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Posted by Tmidiman - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:06 PM

I can't believe how IGNorant some of you are about business! So let me speak in a language you all understand.

You want the 360 to win the great console war right? You want them to sell more systems than Sony right? Well guess what, they already sold systems to the majority of you oh-so-awesome-FPS-men out there. The next segment for them to sell systems to are,...(hold on now don't get scared) the kids, non-gamers (casual gamers), and old folks. Those people like the Wii. Remember that the Wii has sold more than the 360. Yes, yes I know the 360 is the most awesome machine ever created, but MS needs to reach people who like things like Miis.

Do you understand now?

And while we're at it just rememeber that the next time you bash some group it might be the group you want to buy the same system as you so that they win this all important war.

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Posted by TheWolfMI - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:09 PM

::shrugs::

I don't mind make'n an avitar for a system. As long as it's extreemly customizable. As long as it gives the OPTION to make one vs keep the user pictures people may have possibly paid for.

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Posted by CPRxChris - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:37 PM

k...since we have Nintendo and Microsoft, lets throw the third company into the mix...SONY!

It was named the most innovative brand...you know what I'm probably gonna say by now, you guys over at G4, but yeah...heres the list...

1. Sony
2. Apple
3. Microsoft
4. Virgin
5. Nokia
6. Dyson
7. Nintendo
8. Tesco
9. Sky
10. Panasonic
11. Honda
12. Samsung
13. Google
14. Phillips
15. Dell
16. Toyota
17. eBay
18. Amazon
19. BT
20. Toshiba

Here's the link:

http://www.ps3fanboy. com/2008/06/16/sony-voted-most -innovative-brand/

So, G4, jump on it!

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Posted by Ulrichgaming - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:55 PM

Avatars where invented by the Ultima series... if you want to get technical....

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Posted by billyz90 - Monday, June 16, 2008 12:59 PM

I prefer my Gamerpics, thank you. If they switch to these, then I've wasted upwards of 30 dollars of my money...

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Posted by IBloodstormI - Monday, June 16, 2008 1:11 PM

retarded, no thanks if its true. i will stick to my gamerpic.

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Posted by SourProphit - Monday, June 16, 2008 1:13 PM

I must say this news upsets me. This is what they have their people working on? For christ sake guys you got it write the first time; I turn on my console to jump into games not fiddle with avatars!

I sincerely hope this news is false.

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Posted by SourProphit - Monday, June 16, 2008 1:14 PM

And my sleep deprivation is really showing.

"got it *right* the first time"

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Posted by raziel_hell - Monday, June 16, 2008 1:15 PM

Ulrichgaming im all for taking an idea and improving it.

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Posted by raziel_hell - Monday, June 16, 2008 1:16 PM

ps3s avatars lost me when they said u could not make orcs elfs and crazy stuff.

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Posted by Ulrichgaming - Monday, June 16, 2008 2:16 PM

@raziel_hell

me too...

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Posted by hhhhhhh - Monday, June 16, 2008 5:54 PM

don't really care, unless you can do something special with them. and this is probably another reason for m'soft to charge us more money for LIVE. my xbox is gone for repair right now so i won't get to witness any updates if they do it soon.

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Posted by grunto - Monday, June 16, 2008 9:09 PM

Well M$ does need something to compete against PSN Home and the non existant Wii online. I dont own a 360 but I feel bad for u XBL users that gotta go thru with this lame excuse for a avatar. If I were u Id be outraged based on the fact Im going to be represented by sumthn a 4 yr old could draw in preschool. M$ needs to focus on games and not on childish looking avatars. My friends been dieing waiting for gears 2. Not cuz he wants it so bad but because hes gotten bored of Halo and COD4.

If 360 wants to get outta this slump they in they needa think games. M$ cant keep producing 1 quality game a year, Sony has found their stride with 3 quality games just this year alone. M$ needs to pick it up.

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Posted by Lightbarier - Monday, June 16, 2008 9:55 PM

wtf I weap for gaming

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Posted by lyoko2 - Monday, June 16, 2008 11:31 PM

im kinda disapointed with the previus xbox right now so if they make a mii slash home that would be ..... excellent air guitar

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Posted by MetalLink666 - Tuesday, June 17, 2008 5:25 AM

why are sony and microsoft copying nintendo other than virtual console (nostalgia) the wii is kinda sucky nostalgia is the only thing keeping the wii around

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Posted by RPGCrazied - Tuesday, June 17, 2008 6:50 AM

Doesnt nintendo have patents on all that stuff?

if not, stupid. I'd sue for stealing the wiimote an now avatars.

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