QUOTE(PerfectGun @ Dec 12 2008, 02:46 AM)
So now that the NXE is out and installed and all the talk about "If you don't like avatars you don't have to see them" was just lip service?
You would think MS would get the hint that these people don't want it. Why force them?
MS is getting a bid up their own azz lately and it's starting to irk the hell out of me. 09 is going to be interesting but it seems like the hardcore gamers(see the people who support 360 the strongest) are expendable and will just fall in line as they turn their system into a Wii wannabe.
First of all, MS's statement about "If you don't like avatars, you don't have to see them" is still true. They've always said that if you don't want anything to do with the avatars to just select a random one then never go to the new Friends list. Just use the friends list in the old-style blades dash via the new Xbox Guide where you have the traditional "Friends List" and nothing more.
Second of all, because some people got through a loophole allowing them to have no avatar is most likely due to accident. The fact none of us (as of yet) know what that loophole is just goes to show that most of those who did it probably accidentally discovered it and didn't hear about it online and use it to not make an avatar. The loophole is likely something simple like you turn your 360 off when you first booted the new dash and it's on the avatar screen. Or maybe at that point instead of your 360 turning off you opened the tray and put a new game in. It's something most likely just as simple or innocent as those possibilities.
The whole reason MS allows custom-made avatars is for those who don't want to design/make one for themselves. Again, MS has said select a random one that's pre-made then never mess with modifying it and/or use the old Friends List in the guide.
You say you think the hardcore gamers are perceived as expendable by MS. Hardly. GoW2, CoD:WaW, Fallout 3, Fable 2, etc. all released in the last 2 months are generally NOT considered as casual games and generally always considered as games for the hardcore gamer fans. The only company shunning hardcore gamers is CLEARLY Nintendo. The Wii is basically 99% casual and 1% hardcore. Look at their new offerings this holiday: Wii Music.
The other company you can go to, Sony, is also trying to attract more casual fans just like MS is. PlayStation Home is coming soon, and Little Big Planet is currently their flagship title this holiday. Sony is also expanding the downloadable games much like MS's strategy.
If you were to poll all gamers, MS and the 360 would be considered more for hardcore gamers than any competition. Although MS continues to make great strides in the casual market, they've never shown any reason to believe they are leaving their hardcore fans out to dry. Quite the contrary, actually.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying MS is perfect. I am just trying to point out that you should really think these things out more before starting to hate based on this stupid news bit. You are basically acting like MS is not only forcing everyone to have an avatar, but that they're forcing them to use it in every new game or something ridiculous like that.
You can hate on the casual gamer trends all you want, but they're hear to stay right now and that's not going to change in the near future. That's the way the market is headed and there's actually some great new articles out there talking about how the casual trends quite possibly saved the industry. The articles make really, really good points. It's actually a good thing for hardcore gamers like you.
MS: Those with NXE can't get away with no avatars
Dec 11 2008, 11:15 PM
