[Source Destructoid]

Avatars vs Home? MS survey suggests so

1 hour ago - 8:40 AM on 04.28.2009, Jim Sterling

12 comments

     Avatars

A new survey from Microsoft suggests that Avatars could soon be in direct competition with PlayStation Home, after questions surrounding a "Virtual Setting" for Xbox Live's twee little freaks have appeared to gage public interest.

The survey asks its participants which of the listed changes they find the most appealing, with one of the options suggesting that gamers could possibly "interact with others via Avatars in a virtual social setting." Sounds pretty much like Home to us. 

As with all these surveys, it's no evidence that the changes suggested will definitely be implemented. However, it's certainly proof that Microsoft is thinking about such things, and with Avatars doing very little of anything right now, it stands to reason that MS would want to do something like this. It's the most logical step for the New Xbox Experience to take at this step, especially with Home making mad bank for Sony.

Also appearing on the survey is a hint that MS is considering unlockable Avatar clothing that works in the same way as Achievements, with in-game actions leading to their acquisition. This is something that has been talked about before, but it's obviously still on The 'Soft's mind.

The virtual setting is something we'll probably see sooner or later. However, unless we can simulate blowjobs like in Home, no sale.

While I don't think it would be the greatest idea (since I don't think Home was the greatest idea in the first place), it wouldn't be hard to beat out Home.

1. Don't make a dull lifeless world
2. Give it an actual playable interface where you don't have to do retarded things like cycle through people to get to what you want (like the Red Bull Racing)
3. Don't try to hard to replicate real life so that you actually have to wait in line to play games
4. Don't redownload every area
5. Actually stream things

Done.  Better than Home.

avatars are de bomb. they are of course made by rare.

But I thought Sony was the only company that copied off of people?

Really what needs to stop is all the who copied who stuff on the threads. It's a little something called business.

On another note this could be pretty sweet depending how MS goes about it. Something like this might actually help Sony out though in the end. We will have to wait and see.

The only way Microsoft can compete with "Home" is to completely rip it off. I personally think thats going to happen.

Home is making mad bank?

Achievement clothing would be awesome. Thats what I want the most, it would be nice to have an environment like home (to some degree) but I won't lose any sleep over not having it. Home was one of the biggest letdowns I had during the time I owned a PS3. It may have gotten better by now but when not when I had it.

I hope not. If they're to do this, I hope they'll make something good. One avatar-filled virtual wasteland with which I don't bother is enough.

For me the Avatars are rubbish.

Rip off of Miis.

PSHome wins out of the 2, although 1vs100 could change that.

Microsoft needs to make more games featuring the avatars. They need to expand the party system to more people. Please though, don't waste time on copying Home.