MS "may" charge for Avatar accessories

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/

Friday 1-Aug-2008 2:47 PM Micro-transactions "may be in the future" for 360 Avatars, says Schappert

As if Xbox 360 Avatars weren't controversial enough, Microsoft's games corporate VP John Schappert says micro-transactions "may be in the future" for the Xbox Mii-alikes.

The avatars, which will be released alongside the new Xbox 360 dashboard at the end of the year, can be used as an animated, cartoon-y replacement for today's Gamerpics - but you don't have to use them if you don't want to.

"That may be in the future," Schappert told Venturebeat, when asked if Microsoft would charge for extra customisation and accessories for the 360 Avatars.

"In the near term, we want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall. I think there is a lot more we can do with them. You will see us continue to add experiences that make use of the avatar.

"Our goal is not to create a sterile environment where you move furniture around. It's about how can we make our gaming experiences better," he said.

Developers such as Bethesda have already expressed interest in including unlockable Avatar accessories with their games.

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dont you think this is a complete rip off? the avatars will just replace gamerpics you cannot take them within gamespaces or anything, or go into lobbys to meet up with friends.

to charge for this, even as they say that thy MAY charge is a joke is you ask me.

this is worse than charging for themes and even more outragous charging for gamerpics as is currently.

what do you think?

Ouch. That's going to really suck if true and doubly so if the Sony equivalent is free.

Then again, MS customers are used to opening their wallets for extra charges such as DLC and Live so maybe it's okay after all.

Hey its a stupid addition so let's not attack MS for charging for this crap. It is optional and does nothing for gameplay......

They wouldn't make a penny.

That's why the creators of Maple Story are so dirt poor.  Oh wait...

I think every little bit of xbox news you post is negative. Anyway they are not forcing you to use avatars, you can still keep your gamerpic. So not its not a rip off.

If I want to change the appearance of my gamercard it cost me 8000 points this would not surprise me;...

It's NX Cash all over again..

I'm getting rid of my 360 now.

I'm fine with them charging for logo and branded avatars...

People pay a lot more just to see labels on their clothes, computers, cars, etc... VW and Audi cars are technically pretty much the same... Why are people willing to spend 10's of thousands more on Audi then VW? The nicer interior really doesn't justify it. But, people do it so they can say they own the Audi...

Why can't companies charge for labeled avatars? Especially when they would probably be around Live theme prices.

@ NeoRatt
cause other companies don't hcarge for them??