Games blogs are buzzing right now with some seemingly leaked information from Microsoft concerning its plans to introduce 3D avatars for the Xbox 360 console, fulfilling a similar purpose as Nintendo's Mii avatars do on its Wii console.
In other words, that’s avatars that gamers can create, customising their features and clothing, and then use within games. The speculation stems from the image above, and this accompanying text:
“‘Avatars’ are digital personas available this holiday for all Xbox LIVE connected members and this spring for all new console owners. ‘Avatars’ will be used in place of the gamer picture you have today and give you a much more lifelike, animated, and fully customizable persona for you to reflect who you are online.”
Kotaku has already pointed out that one of the sample characters is wearing an Incredibles branded t-shirt, which implies Microsoft could be signing licensing deals with brands (which in turn implies potential micropayments for avatar clothing and accessories). It’s also suggested that the avatars will be playable characters within Xbox 360 titles and Xbox LIVE downloadable games, as the Miis are on Nintendo’s Wii.
Assuming this is true, it shows two separate approaches to avatars and virtual reality on the part of the console makers. Nintendo and Microsoft are going down the avatar route, allowing gamers to create characters for use in games and in communications with friends, but with no overarching virtual world to explore with them. Meanwhile, Sony is going down the Home virtual world route with PlayStation 3, yet hasn’t so far indicated that players’ Home avatars will be able to be imported into PS3 games.
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