Captain Obvious comes to visit, as Microsoft has touched upon the extra charges that its innovative new Mii system may bring. Although Microsoft has not claimed that this is a definite plan, I hardly expect the company that charges Microsoft Points for tiny square JPEGs to not introduce microtransactions in exchange for innovative Mii clothing and accessories.
"That may be in the future," stated Xbox Live boss John Schappert when asked about Avatar microtransactions. "That may be in the future. In the near term, we want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall.
"I think there is a lot more we can do with them."
Schappert added that The 'Soft intends to expand the Mii setting, promising that it won't end up a "sterile environment where you move furniture around." He also gave a "shout out" to Nintendo's rip-off Miis which shamelessly copied Microsoft, sportingly stating that Nintendo's plagiarism "did a phenomenal job integrating them into the Wii games," before amusingly adding that MS took a lot of inspiration from them. Oh Microsoft, you silly sausages.
In all seriousness, I'm actually looking forward to seeing what Microsoft can do with its innovative Miis. While Nintendo's Miis aren't very useful and highly limited in customization options, it looks as if Microsoft is prepared to expand and improve upon the idea. We'll have to wait and see if MS can pull it off though, and how much Avatars could cost us in fake Microsoft Monopoly Money when the time inevitably comes.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:17 AM on 08.02.2008
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Also, snausages!
Consider this, Microsoft!
Oh microsoft, when will you learn.
How much are you charging.... Im hot for teacher.
I really wouldn't mind them charging, as long as it isn't ridiculous. Charging for something like "new hair" or "black shirt" would be stupid.
I DO think a great idea, as many probably said, is to have certain items depending on what games you have played, and your achievements in them. Also, they could give away clothing or accessories as promos for new games, movies, etc. like they do with themes and gamerpics.
Also, Brotherhood of Steel armor for my Mii please.
"Dude, dude. You can't do it!"
"Shut up, I can say it without laughing..hold on, alright...At launch, the Avatars and their items will be free. In the future, we may...heeheeHAHAHAHA...we may...HOHOHOHO..."
"May?!? You'll never be able to say it with a straight face."
"I can do it...I can do it...haha..wooo..OK...this is it...I'm going to do it...We may have Avatar items available at certain price points. Are we clear? HAHAHAHAHAHA"
"I can't believe you did it. That took some legendary will power."
"Do you think they bought?"
"Hell, no. But, it was a nice try. Let's go start some rumor about Castle Crashers costing $30, so $25 won't seem so bad."
"Let's do it!"
WhaT!?!? are you ???ing kidding me? holy sh!t.... wow I feel sorry for anyone paying for crap like that, jesus and you xbox players are fine with that? just wow... y'all getting more ripped of your wallets than I thought.
I think we'll probably see a lot of advertiser-sponsered freebie avatar accesories before long, same as with gamerpics and themes. Even if someone does want to splurge for the microtransaction accessories, I doubt it would cost more than a few bucks total to customize your little cartoon person exactly the way you want. If that's what someone wants to do with their MS points, it's their choice.