A new survey from Microsoft suggests that Avatars could soon be in direct competition with PlayStation Home, after questions surrounding a "Virtual Setting" for Xbox Live's twee little freaks have appeared to gage public interest.
The survey asks its participants which of the listed changes they find the most appealing, with one of the options suggesting that gamers could possibly "interact with others via Avatars in a virtual social setting." Sounds pretty much like Home to us.
As with all these surveys, it's no evidence that the changes suggested will definitely be implemented. However, it's certainly proof that Microsoft is thinking about such things, and with Avatars doing very little of anything right now, it stands to reason that MS would want to do something like this. It's the most logical step for the New Xbox Experience to take at this step, especially with Home making mad bank for Sony.
Also appearing on the survey is a hint that MS is considering unlockable Avatar clothing that works in the same way as Achievements, with in-game actions leading to their acquisition. This is something that has been talked about before, but it's obviously still on The 'Soft's mind.
The virtual setting is something we'll probably see sooner or later. However, unless we can simulate blowjobs like in Home, no sale.
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Contest:
8:40 AM on 04.28.2009
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Interesting...
Also, I got into Home, and lost a fair few hours in the Alternate-(Virtual)Reality-Game Xi. Quite interesting, and I like what it's becoming, adding to Home in a way a straight out game couldn't.
It's just in my opinion MS copied the avatars from the Wii, and now this. And probably a load more.
Well actually Bill Gates did steal all those ideas: DOS from that little programmer, GUI from Apple, Icon concept from Apple, Mouse concept from Xerox
Anyway they probably will make this to make even MORE money, probably be rubbish though, won't hold my breath.
I'm all for this idea, that sounds great. Avatars and their clothing is really not that important in the grand scheme of things, but it would be another nice little bonus for playing through a game. I'm down.
Whatever, as long as this stuff is free, keep it coming.
But just for once I wish MS would try something of their own design instead of imitating what already exists, I know all companies copy each other to a degree but MS is really starting to go overboard.
The last thing I can credit them for is................. I'll get back to you on that one.
What I find fun to do is imagine home, only I take out the average PS3 homep-goer (horny, semi-retarded gfunk into pimping his ride, reality dating shows and drinking energy drinks) and I replace him with your average 360 player (Satanic, racist, homaphobic 10 year old with a mouth like a drunk sailor who's only purpose in life is to drive me insane).
Also, as far as aesthetics, I would still prefer my home second-life ripoff to an xbox mii.
I CAN FUCKING DELETE IT.
I despise those god damn dress-up dolls, and having the option to just not participate is an incredible privilege apparently.
You fucking nailed it.
Anybody who wants this probably also buys wii fit once a week. I miss the old dashboard, which didn't lag like a bitch since advertisements must be loaded on every single blade, and allowed for pictures as a background without a huge badly coloured orb occupying the bottom half of the screen.
I wonder when they'll get around to the motion controller requirement for the 360, so that I'm required to get that 3rd party controller so I can navigate in my virtual world past a billion ads to go play my $15 overpriced downloadable game that I'll never truly own, only to have my console die on me because even though I pay $50 a year for online access, my console manufacturer cheaped out and bought a crappy tin heat sink that warps when it gets hot.
Microsoft... make it so.
Good call.
@ Sup3rt3d
Yeah, but judging by your response, you cared that someone cared, and that is worse.
Is that ever going to happen? I mean really, I'll look it up. I don't like Second Life I would just like to know, *Google, Wikipedia*
I still don't understand why XBL has Silver and Gold, they should just lower the price for Gold to Silver price then everyone is the same. I know obviously M$ (thank you Sup3rt3d for reminding me of M$) would lose a TON of money, but it'd make it up and I think more people would buy Xbox 3 Fix Mii's.
Interesting... "
Jumping the gun a tad, no? Its a question on a survey. Where are you seeing how much interest it has? The survey could ask how many people like juggling pitchforks, would we assume the world had gone pitchfork throwing mad? I'd say not.
I want to say they don't take surveys to ignore the results (unless its full of complaints).
So who's jumping the Gun? MS for taking the survey, Kotaku then Destructoid reporting about it, or little ol' me commenting on it?