If this comes to pass...

[Perversion]

...this is so utterly horrible on SO many levels.


And you guys b**** about Home. Honestly, I'll try really hard to avoid fanboy-isms here, but I feel kind of embarassed for Microsoft if it's come to the point where they feel the need to incorporate something like this into their system. How can any right-thinking individual NOT see through this for the blatant money-grab that they are hoping it will be? Yeah, they sell virtual items in Home, but Sony is not forcing anyone to download or participate in Home. Users on the 360 are stuck with the avatars whether they like 'em or not, and seeing someone else have a "cool" avatar or pet or whatever seems as if it might be a bit more of a blatant money-grab, targeting those same users as the avatars did.


Really, though, I can live with that. Sony's doing it with Home, so I can live with Microsoft doing it with the avatars. What REALLY disturbs me a bit is this part:

In one example, players could swap out their existing avatar with an advertiser-specific avatar and then proselytize the brand to other users. Such a move would mimic the real-world practice of "influencer advertising," where popular people are paid by companies to promote brands by pretending they actually like them.

In a potentially Orwellian turn, those interactions would be monitored for content and effectiveness, and the pitchman would be paid accordingly with goods or currency, actual or virtual.

[Duel]

Re: If this comes to pass...

[Goufunaki]

Re: If this comes to pass...

At least for Home, you can run around and interact with other users, and vist/invite friends to personal spaces to see the customization.

360 Avatars are mainly stuck in a profile for the most part. No real interaction.

[Biggie]

Re: If this comes to pass...

This topic makes me glad I'm joining the Air Force.

[Alex]

Re: If this comes to pass...

Just don't buy in.