Tag Archives: avatars

The imminent Xbox 360 dashboard update is to allow you to select colours for certain items of Avatar clothing, according to Joystiq.

There’s a video of it working over there.

All the new stuff goes live on August 11. Get more general detail here.

Engadget’s posted a huge amount of information on the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard summer update, as seen here.

The download will include updates to account management, video display options, user ratings and tons more.

There’s too much to post here. Hit the link. The first official shots of the update – premium Avatar clothing included – were released overnight.

Microsoft’s released some official shots of the rumoured upcoming 360 dashboard update, confirming that premium Avatar clothing is soon to be with us. Get them all from Gamersyde.

You’ll soon be able to buy a jacket for 160MSP. Cool. We think.

Other additions include content rating, Friends list sorting, and an ‘overall Achievements/Gamerscore’ tab.

Take a look. There’s no date on it yet. Thanks, Blerk.

Rare animation head Louise Ridgeway told VG247 at Develop this week that the developer’s work on 360′s Avatar system had altered consumers perception of the machine as something for “hardcore gamers”.

“I really think that we’ve kind of changed the face of the Xbox,” she said.

“It’s gone from something that was always perceived as a hardcore gamer’s console. I mean, I really like games. I like Resident Evil, I like Street Fighter, I like the typical boys games, but when I boot up the Xbox 360 and my daughter gets on there to play Street Fighter – she’s really good as Ken – I’m feel really proud of the fact that she can join in.

“It’s just that little bit more inviting, you know, and I think it broadens it to a whole new demographic of people.”

Ridgeway added that 360′s exeperience is inclusive, and should be viewed as such.

“It’s a really great console, and there’s so many great things on it to play that everybody should be involved,” she said.

You can listen to the full interview with Louise, recorded at Develop this week, in our latest podcast.

Develop’s been and gone – find out what we thought of the UK show in the second episode of our podcast after the break.

There’s also an interview with Rare’s head of animation, Louise Ridgeway, in there, where she talks about Rare’s work on 360′s Avatar system. It’s good stuff, so take a listen.

• 0.00-12.09 – Pat and Steph discuss this week’s Develop Conference in Brighton
• 12.10-22.29 – Rare’s Louise Ridgeway on Avatars and how they’ve changed Xbox 360

More next week.

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The courageous philanthropists at Microsoft have done yet another good deed for Xbox 360′s little people, this time adding summer clothing for Avatars. Should keep them nice and cool.

Here’s what you get.

Male

• Rashguard
• White Vest
• Swim Shorts
• Surfer Shorts

Female

• Flower Vest
• Surfer Hot Pants
• Surfer Shorts
• Surfer Skirt
• Surfer Dress

As ever, the male stuff’s extremely male, while the female clothing’s covered in flowers. It’s like living in the post-War Mid West.

Ninjabee has hinted via Twitter that flame tossing Avatars may be headed our way.

Here’s what the Kingdom for Keflings creators tweeted:

“Here’s the big news for the day: Ever wanted to throw a fireball with your Avatar?”

Which leads to the photo pictured above with the caption: “Soon you’ll be able to use your Avatar in ways it hasn’t been used before…”

Throwing fireballs would be nifty indeed.

Via Joystiq.

The rules and regulations that are sent out to developers who wish to use Avatars in their games has emerged via the XNA Creators Club website revealing that no sex, maiming or indeed talking is allowed.

The lengthy list (after the break) stipulates that Xbox Live Indie Game that uses Avatars must be reviewed to make sure it “doesn’t let the Avatar commit the following acts, have the act occur to them, or is a spectator to them”.

So we won’t see headless zombie Avatars running around, noiselessly copulating then? Shame.

Full thing below. Thanks, CVG.

More »

The Microsoft event yesterday mentioned loads of stuff coming to Xbox Live, and we touched on that briefly here. However, we have been handed more details this morning.

• Avatar Marketplace: Coming this summer, in-game Avatar Awardables, animated Props, full costumes, premium clothing for purchase all through the Avatar editor.

• User Ratings: A five star rating system is being added that lets you rate any content in the Games Marketplace and will allow users to organize by rating and find the community’s favorite content.

• Performance Updates: Xbox Live service will be upgraded for improved performance including better guide and friends access, revamping the friends sorting list, Achievement views and improved matchmaking support.

Expect all three improvements to land sometime this summer.

Via CVG.

Xbox Live’s general manager Mark Whitton has said that avatar clothing will unlockable through in-game achievements.

A store to purchase clothing is on the way as well.

Halo 3: ODST-themed clothing was shown with an avatar dressed as a Spartan driving a Warthog.

No word yet when to expect this.

Thanks, Shack.

Kotaku’s posted an excellent feature on the history of Rare’s 360 Avatars, including tons of old concept art and an interview with lead artist Lee Musgrave.

The piece goes from the initial concept, through Nintendo’s announcement of Miis and on to “the future”.

Very much worth a look.

Megaton. Nelson’s confirmed that Avatars now have new shoes. Here’s what you get:

Men

• Flip Flops
• High Top Sneakers
• Socks and Sandals
• 70’s Leather Platforms

Women

• Sunny Day Sandals
• White 60’s Boots

As ever, there’s no cross-dressing allowed, just in case a child sees something “inappropriate” and suddenly craves homosexual intercourse.

Full thing through there.

Microsoft’s surveyed punters in the US on the subject of Avatars, again hinting that Achievement-based gear in the on the way for the Rare-developed virtual men and women.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft’s mentioned the concept. Rare art head Lee Musgrave told VG247 in February that, “In time… games will be able to give away clothes and accessories just like Achievements.”

Yep: you will probably soon be able to beat someone up in Street Fighter and win a pink cap for your Avatar. See the full survey on Kotaku.

Want to pretend you have a “job” in your all-consuming, life-wrecking virtual world? Microsoft is here for you.

You can now dress you Live Avatars in business clothing for no cost, according to Nelson. Woot.

Here’s what you’ve got:

Male

• Blue formal shirt
• Moleskin pants
• Waistcoat and shirt
• Suit and tie

Female

• Pencil skirt
• Slacks
• Pinstripe blazer
• Twin set

Capcom’s Unity blog said today that Xbox 360 owners can expect Age of Booty avatars to arrive soon.

March 29 soon.

No word on what they are going to look like. Pirates would be a safe guess.

To celebrate the release of GTA IV’s first major bit of DLC this morning, Microsoft’s put out a Lost and Damned Avatar clothing pack. Just to get you in the mood.

Here’s what you get. It’s all free.

Guys:

• Rocker Jacket
• Pixie Boots
• Grunge Pants
• Metal Combats
• Top Hat
• Skull Ring
• Leather Biker Gloves
• Left Feather Earring
• Right Feather Earring

Girls:

• Punk Tee
• Black 60’s Boots
• Leopard Print Leggings
• Biker Jacket
• Biker Gloves
• Skull Wrist Band
• Left Feather Earring
• Right Feather Earring

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this weekend, Rare and Microsoft have released a pack of formal clothing for Avatars.

Everyone needs a sort, son. It’s all free. There’s a shot of some of it on Joystiq.

PS3 users whose Home avatars are in serious need of “coolness” can download some ninja outfits for their pixelated selves on February 12.

To celebrate your new ninja duds, head on over to the Gamer’s Lounge community site on February 13 in your all-black attire for the “I Love Ninjas” contest. You can win vouchers for SOCOM and Warhawk.

More info on the PlayStation Blog.

Rare’s told VG247 that the Xbox community “may” receive features allowing them to create their own Avatar kit, saying that user-generation was simply too big a deal to force into NXE’s launch last year.

“User-generated content is a huge area that would not have been done any justice if we had tried to cram it into the launch release of this project,” said Avatars designer, Dale Murchie.

“There may be features coming that open up the expressive potential of the Xbox community, but we’re keeping quiet on that for now.”

Head of art Lee Musgrave added: “Creativity is going to play a big part in the development of the Avatars.”

Currently, users’ Avatars can only be kitted out with supplied items, of which several packs have been released since launch.

Avatars became an integral part of Xbox 360 last year with the release of New Xbox Experience.

Rare has told VG247 that games will soon give players items of clothing and accessories for their 360 Avatars in the same way they hand out Gamer Points.

“In time… games will be able to give away clothes and accessories just like Achievements,” said art head Lee Musgrave.

As to which games specifically will be using Avatars in this way, the developer wouldn’t be drawn.

“We are currently working with multiple partners who have expressed interest in using Avatars,” added producer Stacey Law.

Currently, Avatars are being dressed in launch clothing, although a few free packs have been given out, such as winter hats and gloves and soccer shirts.

Avatars were added to 360 with the release of New Xbox Experience last year.