Rumor: Avatars, Microsoft's take on Mii's

[StrainedEyes]

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/06/15/rumor-avatars-are-microsoft-take-on-miis/

Well, well, well, what have we here? Looks like we're finally getting some real evidence that Microsoft really does have some sort of response to Nintendo's Miis on the way. It's been rumored for some time now and the above shot of the linked flash page seems portend the end of the rumors. Given more credibility by the fact that the link mentions an NDA (that we, and the person who sent us the link, never saw or signed) these "Xbox Avatars" certainly look to do everything that Miis do and more.

Taking into account that Microsoft doesn't seem too troubled by the rest of the year, this, along with the rumored "Newton" controller look to be what they're betting the farm on.

Hmm ... E3 should sure be interesting this year ...

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I´ve read this rumor a couple of months ago on Kotaku, but because it was only talked about once, everyone forgot about it.
I can even say more about it, back in that rumor i read on Kotaku, they said that Rare is the one making the avatars.
Back when they announced that there would be no spring update this year, they said it was due to many changes going to happen, starting next month (June) until the E3.
And the question that remains is, what games are in store that will use the avatars?
Yes, because no one buys that they will only be uses to replace the gamer picture.
Which makes me more a believer in the all 360 motion-controller....

All in all, i believe this will be a very interesting E3 for the 360...

 

[Soapy]

I say they'll be used in some sort of "Home" type of service.

 

[StrainedEyes]

Whatever they are, I think they look cool. It looks like it will have plenty of customization options, and could very well be updated through downloads, unlike the Mii's.

 

[Soapy]

"Courtesy of the same leak that's spilled everything else today, there's a little more information to be had on the rumoured introduction of Microsoft's Avatar system. Some of the marketing material mentions that, like Miis are in stuff like Wii Sports, the Avatars will be implemented into "various arcade and retail games" as playable characters. Also mentioned are "hundreds of clothing options", a feature which is interesting when you look at the sample pic attached to the leak (above) and - provided it's real - see one of the characters is wearing an Incredibles shirt, suggesting that unlike Nintendo's offering, there'll be the option of clothing your Avatar in various licensed outfits. Maybe, and this is total conjecture, even a little Master Chief costume?"

 

[Joker]

I figured they'd be used in XBLA games. I wonder if they'll have camera support at all, with face mapping. Having a cartoon that looks exactly like you would be cool.