Microsoft Planning "Avatar 2.0" Launch With Kinect

[SalamanderJoe]

So if we get Kinect our avatars lose their cartoony appeal? Oh well no worries here then...

 

[mjc0961]

Ah, I suppose there is a slight difference.

Those are from the Avatar update launch then.

ADDENDUM: From back when it was called the "XBox Experience"

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/207659/microsoft-unveils-new-xbox-experience-clothing-line/

Harken back to 2008!

Thanks. I knew something was wrong with that picture, because that's not what the dashboard looks like currently, and they didn't say anything about changing that (beyond adding the new Kinect version where you navigate with your hands).

Sadly that means that using that picture for this article is misleading. Find something else, or just not have a picture, but please Escapist editors/whoever, get rid of the one that's on there now.

Congratulations, xbox owners, your avatars look even dumber now.

The avatars on all 3 systems already look dumb, the 360 avatars will now just be a different flavor of dumb is all.

 

[Falconus]

I couldn't care less about xbox avatars to be honest. I just want to point out that they probably won't stray too far from the cartoony look (If they're smart) as the reason for the cartoony look in the first place is ease of use. The point of the avatars for most people is to make one that looks like them, which is easy when all you're dealing with is simple shapes. But the more realistic the style the more difficult this becomes and the more complex the creation tools have to be. This is really not good for the average user as most people don't have that good a grasp of human anatomy and facial structure, making it pretty much impossible to get something that looks like yourself. And that's with good creation tools, if the tools don't measure up then you have no chance unless you happen to be Joe Everyman. so we're probably looking at something more along the lines of proportion adjustment. Or, maybe they're just not very smart.

 

[squid5580]

So what will happen to all of our current avatar clothes and stuff? Right now my avatar is rockin the Fallout bobblehead and the EarthWorm Jim costume. They better not screw that up.

 

[Kialee]

Dear Microsoft:

HNNNNNNNNNNNNG

sincerely, me

But anyway! I don't really care one way or the other, as I'm not picking up a Kinect, nor will I be bothering with any of its gimmicky motion control bullshit.
That, and I never change/do anything my avatar anyway. It's just there to smile at me when I turn my 'box on. Am I right, or am I right?

 

[megs1120]

So what will happen to all of our current avatar clothes and stuff? Right now my avatar is rockin the Fallout bobblehead and the EarthWorm Jim costume. They better not screw that up.

Considering that NXE broke the backgrounds that people paid for, who knows what will become of all that stuff?

 

[JEBWrench]

I was saying that they WILL be uncanny valleyesque

Oh, gotcha. That sounds about right. Then again, I doubt they're going to try to emulate actual humanity, so the UV probably won't apply that much.

So what will happen to all of our current avatar clothes and stuff? Right now my avatar is rockin the Fallout bobblehead and the EarthWorm Jim costume. They better not screw that up.

Considering that NXE broke the backgrounds that people paid for, who knows what will become of all that stuff?

This is why I don't pay cash money Americadollars for avatar stuff.

 

[Pegghead]

Yuck, they look hideous!

Seriously, half the charm of the current avatars is their cartoony feel.

 

[JEBWrench]

they will. more realistic proportions? besides, uncanny valley applies to every inanimate object (or picture) imitating human life. it just depends on how realistic it is.

We'll just have to wait and see. Though if they are so humanlike as to become genuinely disturbing, I will LOVE that.

 

[Volkade]

Man I'll be a little pissed if this thing sucks. Besides I don't intend on getting connect until a few models come out for them to refine it, and some games that look good come out.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

I like my Avatar the way it is.


+ if they strip away the costumes, I'll be a veru sad panda, I have a Woody from Toy Story outfit!

 

[MR.Spartacus]

I have a feeling they'll add just enough realism to turn them into uncanny-vally nightmares. Or if that image is the extent of it then they're adding some stupid new shading.

 

[Blind0bserver]

As long as my avatar is able to keep his comically beady-looking eyes and all of the special items that I've either bought or earned, I could honestly care less.

Couldn't care less.

If you can care less then it means you care.

I bet he cares even less about what you just said, you know.

Well said.

 

[BloodSquirrel]

Who is ripping of Nintendo themself I guess?

I don't get the whole "OMG RIP-OFF" concept. If it isn't within the other company's patent and works good then what is it to complain about? Isn't better if you all just enjoy it?

Anyway, shame to see them go. I liked those little basterds, don't know if I will pick up Kinect though.

...especially considering that it's being done for technical reasons.

It's also pretty comical to see people accusing MS of rippiong off Sony, considering how many things Sony ripped off of MS this generation. Hell, Sony wouldn't even have avatars if they weren't trying to create their version of Xbox Live.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

When I read the title, I thought that Microsoft was going to make a special interactive edition of Avatar to jump on the 3D bandwagon.

Haha, that's exactly what I thought too.
But no; it's just another useless addition to the increasingly pointless Kinect.