When the New Xbox Experience was announced earlier this year, one of the first things that came to my mind was how Microsoft would be monitizing the Avatars. I caught some flack for the article and people in various forums called me stupid for assuming Microsoft was going to rape our wallets to dress up our Avatars. Guess what? They will be.
An Avatar Store will be coming next spring to your local Xbox 360. You’ll be able to buy all kinds of new clothing and accessories to spruce up your digital self. Want that new Burberry bag or Sean Jean t-shirt? It’s going to cost you. Ultimately, I think many people will opt to not purchase anything and you’re going to see plenty of avatars all wearing the same clothes.
To everyone that said I was a “dumb fanboy” for thinking Microsoft would charge for this stuff, let’s see what you have to say now.
Dumb fanboy eh? This is sad but the only reason Microsoft or any other company for that matter gets away with these things is that there is a market for it and people will pay for it. Generally speaking, people are just not very smart.
@Tyler – Yep, the same people that are spending 160 MS Points for gamerpics are the same people who will spend $1 or $2 or a new shirt for their character.
Sell me an avatar that looks exactly like Pac-Man (and by exactly, I mean it better be the 3-D Pac-Man) and I’m sold, otherwise, I’ll pass.
keep in mind children play this stuff and live by a completely different set of rules in terms of status and accessibility. A $1 t-shirt on a 3-d model might be ridiculous to an adult, but to a kid who hears his buddy at school talking about it, it can become interesting or cool.
as far as faulting microsoft for making it an option… who cares? don’t like it, don’t buy it. At least they are creating content. Plus you can’t fault a company for taking advantage of the impulse buy market. The avatar store is similar to the rack of gum at the check out line. You don’t need any of it, but sometimes you will grab one.