Avatars (Xbox 360)

Xbox 360 Avatars are avatars for use on Xbox 360 games used much like Mii avatars on Nintendo's Wii. [ [http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/source-avatars-to-be-microsofts-answer-to-miis-and-home/ Source: 'Avatars' to be Microsoft's answer to Miis and Home - Joystiq ] ] Avatars were created by a Microsoft Game Studios internal development studio, Rare Ltd.,Fact|date=September 2008 and will debut on the Xbox 360 with the release of the "New Xbox Experience" system update.

Creating Avatars

Users are able to customize body shape, gender, facial features, hair style, and clothing.cite web|publisher=GameTrailers|date=2008-07-18|accessdate=2008-07-23|title=Gametrailers.com - Xbox 360 - E3 2008: New Dashboard Avatars Featurette HD|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/37146.html?r=1&type=flv ] They can then display a 2D head shot of their Avatar on their Gamercard (although they are still free to use their previous picture should they so choose).cite web| author=Christian Nutt|publisher=Gamasutra|date=2008-07-22|accessdate=2008-07-23|title=GameFest: Inside Avatars For The Xbox 360|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19519 ]

Microsoft has indicated that earning Achievements in future Xbox 360 games can reward players with new clothing for their Avatar.cite web| author=Dustin Burg|publisher=Xbox360Fanboy.com|date=2008-07-15|accessdate=2008-07-23|title=E308: Avatar clothing could be unlocked using game achievements|url=http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/07/15/e308-avatar-clothing-could-be-unlocked-using-game-achievements/ ] cite web| publisher=GameSpot|date=2008-07-16|accessdate=2008-07-23|title=Xbox 360 Fall 2008 Dashboard Rehaul E3 2008 Stage Show Demo 1|url=http://www.gamespot.com/video/0/6194493/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32008_live ]

Xbox Live GM Eric Kilgore recently stated that the avatars will only be available for games that have a E10+ rating or lower only (featuring content that is considered suitable for children under 10 years of age). [ [http://www.developmag.com/news/30277/360-Avatars-can-only-be-used-in-non-violent-titles 360 Avatars can only be used in non-violent titles | Game Development | News by Develop ] ] This may change sometime in the future, though presumably in Microsoft's own games if it ever happens, to monitor the usage of them in mature games.

Major Nelson has recently demonstrated the avatar creation process, in which the avatar was spun around and got dizzy. Pressing the left bumper of the Xbox 360 controller picks a random emotion that the avatar displays. Clicking the right thumbstick also makes the avatar burp.

List of games using Avatars

This is a list of games on the Xbox 360 video game console (both retail and download) that use Avatars.

Micro-transactions

Microsoft hinted at the possibility of Avatar part and clothes micro-transactions, but have not announced an implementation of such a feature yet.cite web|url=http://venturebeat.com/2008/07/31/qa-microsoft-game-exec-john-schappert-talks-about-xbox-live-netflix-deal-and-blu-ray/|title=Q&A: Microsoft game exec John Schappert talks about Xbox Live, Netflix deal, and Blu-ray|work=Venture Beat|author=Dean Takahashi|date=2008-07-31|quote=VB: Will you have micro transactions with the avatars? JS: 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.]

Technical details

Avatars are a collection of data describing character details such as clothing and facial features, propagated to Xbox.com. This means that like a roaming user profile the Avatar will follow the player wherever he or she logs on.

The Xbox 360 System Software will include a renderer and animation system that creates Avatars as they are seen in Microsoft's own titles. It will also be possible for developers to use the data and process it with their own software, allowing Avatars to be easily integrated with a game's engine.

Developers will be able to use the data to create random Avatars to populate their game, or to create specific Avatars for specific roles.

Avatar bodies are animated using skeletal animation, whereas Avatar faces are animated by changing the eye and mouth textures, similarly to how traditional animation works.

ee also

* Mii
* PlayStation Home

References