Source: First images from 360 Avatar creator [update]

by Dustin Burg { Aug 3rd 2008 at 1:00PM }

Update: Just to be clear, the two images we posted are NOT screenshots from the Fall dashboard but are instead a collection of image thumnbails and artwork that are supposedly used in the Avatar creator. We just created an image "collage" to make for easier viewing.

in the We were just contacted by our super secret source who forwarded us images that are supposedly from the Fall update's 360 Avatar creator. We're told that the images, all viewable in the gallery below, were pulled from the 360 Avatar creator's interface and showcase the icons that'll be used to customize one's Avatar. Icons and artwork are related to changing an Avatar's clothing, skin color, hair style and even height and weight. Now, we can't be sure if these 360 Avatar creator assets are legit or if they were created by a very skilled Photoshopper, so take this Avatar image extravaganza with a grain of salt. But what say you? Do these images look legit and, if so, do they coupled with the leaked Avatar options make you more or less excited with how Microsoft is presenting Avatars to the gaming masses?

Gallery: Avatar Creator Customization

[Thanks, DCB and SS1029]

Tags: avatar, avatars, dashboard-update, fall-update, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

derek7793 @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:06PM

Wow, I have this feeling like I've been there done that, but I just can't put my finger on it....

Momer @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:37PM

This looks shopped I can tell from some of the pixels and from seeing quite a few shops in my time.

Tiptup300 @ Aug 6th 2008 2:20AM

NOTE TO [supposedly] EVERYONE: These are just a gallery of icons which will be in the avatar creation screen [supposedly], THIS IS NOT THE AVATAR SELECTION SCREEN! [supposedly.] This is more like a spritesheet [supposedly.]

Jay @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:22PM

If I wanted gimmicks like this, I would've bought a Wii.

vidGuy @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:26PM

It's about reaching a new audience. Do you really think Microsoft is targeting the Halo3-COD4-Madden crowd with these avatars? No, they are attempting to break into the market that Nintendo has cornered since the Wii launched - families, girls, young gamers, etc. With the rumored price drops making the Arcade cheaper than a Wii, MS could really make some leeway in this market, and avatars help.

B @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:40PM

Thank you, someone with something constructive to say instead of just blindly bashing MS

Quikboy @ Aug 4th 2008 4:28AM

I agree. I just wish Microsoft could have gone with a more graphically realistic avatars (like the PlayStation Home), instead of bobblehead-like avatars.

martin @ Aug 5th 2008 4:57PM

You know...unlike everyone else here with nothing constructive to say, just bashing the PS3.

Astronaut Bread @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:30PM

That looks hella fake.

Wayne @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:35PM

Agreed.

NeoK-182 @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:40PM

those icons might be real but the layout is not. we saw the avatar creation layout during E3 and unless they changed it a lot that looks nothing like it

RockerAnimeFreak @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:05PM

MEH. I'm the type of guy thats gonna buy Fallout 3 and Deadspace I don't need avatars lol. I guess MS wants Wii peeps to get 360s.

nate @ Aug 3rd 2008 7:14PM

Duh?

Xoviet chiK @ Aug 4th 2008 12:14PM

I'm buying Fallout 3 and Dead Space too. I'm also totally signing on the second the Fall Update is available to create the hell out of my Avatar.

Porkfist @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:08PM

I'd be interested, but only if I could add a gas mask, or a skull head, or anything that I can make a twisted version of the Mii

TWODOGSz @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:20PM

For something that's supposed to appeal to the casual crowd, there's an awful lot on screen that doesn't fit the ethic of the new streamlined dashboard at all.

I'll call BS or bloody stupid on this for the meantime.

SaNcTuS @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:21PM

Pictures do look a bit fake but I agree with every word vidGuy said...

e.Missark @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:32PM

My eyes! My EYES!!!

Mr. Scolex @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:37PM

Didn't the whole update leak a few days ago? Why is it so surprising that somebody ventured into that section and took screenshots?

e.Missark @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:36PM

@vidGUY

Yeah. Let's just make sure they don't allienate their core audience like the Wii did. Nintendo has become money hungry so now all they make is casual stuff with the word "Wii" in the title.

Let's hope the same thing doesn't happen with MS.

Seanross @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:04PM

I just hope Nintendo doesn't F around and mess up like they did with the Sony/Phillips Deal or the 64... One more slip up like that and we might be missing them...

stinger503 @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:18PM

At least MS hasn't done it's own version of the Wii-mote like everyone thought it would.

Fire Fawkes @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:49PM

@seanross, I guess it all depends on your definition of messing up. As far as sales leader goes, yes they have that working well. But- in regards to the core gamer, they messed that one up big time. I used to be a huge Nintendo fan and now I don't want anything to do with them. Nintendo was quick to forget that the original sales push with the Wii was from the core gamer, the parents and relatives saw it from they (mainly, not entirely). The fact that they have turned their backs completely on the core feels like a mess up to me.

Oh, and on topic. I'm not really digging the avatars, they seem like a bad Mii knock off. I'll reserve full judgment until they are officially revealed though.

ypod @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:48PM

XBAY. Is that like the new ebay.... FOR AVATARS!

viviano_joey @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:50PM

This new dashboard is goin to be really gay i hope u dont have to download it, i want to the keep the blades like they have now!

DBoyFlex @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:38PM

Any word yet on the release of the update yet?

Drunkenshaolin @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:46PM

im sure there the pics of the avatars making system but not in that order..
just looks a mess, normally theres some order it goes in. like hight then weight, then colour of skin.
then all head info
then clothes.
them pics seem messed up

leo2178 @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:10PM

If Avatars where anymore gay, they would come with zippers on their asses!!!

Keele @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:15PM

How can you call it gay when you've not even seen it yet?

You know what I think is gay? Your face, that's what's gay.

firerock @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:17PM

I call this fake because all the icons have very different graphic style. Some on the top are very simple child-like drawing. In certain icons, the style is more detailed. And the last few ones have the actual avatar's image crop to describe the function. The whole thing looks inconsistent...

007craft @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:02PM

x3f, did you just watermark pictures that where not yours? for shame.

TehAdz @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:18PM

I think that looks pretty cool, but something about it screams fake to me.

Still, that first image makes me slightly more excited.

automag @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:35PM

So of the three current gen consoles, the PS3 will be the only one with a mature interface. This is a very childish aesthetic just like the wii, of which I am not a fan. I realize that the casual market is lucrative, but to coat everything in new and improved playschool graphics in order to make it family friendly may not be the best route to take. If only MS gave us users the option to choose which interface they would like to use: The Classic (current blades setup), or this... thing, then it would not bother me in the least. I just want a mature interface that doesn't look like a kids game every time I start my 360. Is that too much to ask?

Luay @ Aug 3rd 2008 6:24PM

I'm sick of this bashing Microsoft has said time and time again you don't need to use the new dashboard the guide button still bring about the old blade menu. And the Avatars can be disabled.

I mean they're not forcing you to use either one so you use what you like. I personally see no problem with a choice, unless you prefer a company telling you what to do.

But on a side note if I was to use an avatar which currently have no intention of doing so i would hope to be able to include some mature things such as stated above a gas mask some sort of flamethrower or something maybe even that GoW gun with the chainsaw (forgot the name)

BulgyJJdog @ Aug 3rd 2008 8:22PM

I really like the new interface alot... blades are old and generic looking and if I'm paying for an online service I want it to look new and next gen.. not last gen like the blades.. I don't really care for the avatar to much though.

SnprSlick @ Aug 3rd 2008 9:08PM

This is not fake, these images are extracted from the dash update. SS and DCB are not the finders of this image. They were found by a user named 'AntMan'

More info on how to extract and all the images can be found on xHaVoK's blog.
xHaVoK is the guy who got the dashboard update to run on his box.

http://xhavok87.wordpress.com/

mhb772 @ Aug 3rd 2008 10:14PM

so i should just believe you? some random poster with no proof. xhavok's files only work on a MODDED console.

the pictures are fake imo. just look at the weird jagged edges and the lack of details in the eyes. microsoft can do way better!

xHaVoK87 @ Aug 4th 2008 4:43PM

Yes, it is true. My blog has the information how to extract the files from the downloaded update, it also has the files already extracted for you if you want to skip the work.

DrDuche @ Aug 4th 2008 2:48AM

This is fake. Your team has had many worthwile legitimate posts on this site. But this one is rediculous. It looks cheap, lame and boring. One of the main videos that came out of E3 for xbox 360 marketplace has Rare talking about avatars. It even shows the real avatar creator. The real thing has a much better design than this fake one.

Tatsukishi @ Aug 4th 2008 11:43AM

This looks retarded. I don't care they are trying to reach a younger audience the minute Nintendo started their "console for kids" stuff they cock blocked all the decent games from coming out on their consoles and focused on crap. They have the top selling console with 4 or so decent titles to play on it. Way to go here is your sticker.

If I have to turn on my 360 and look at some gay toon smiling and waving at him all cartoon like every time I turn on my console then I will be sick. To bad Microsoft is so focused on the bottom line they are willing to screw over their original target market to do it.

Brook @ Aug 4th 2008 11:54AM

first i like the idea of haveing a new dashboard and im a little effie on the avatar thing but they mentioned in the major nelson podcast that developers are contacting him asking him if they could include some sort of equipment. They said that fallout 3 contacted them and asked for some armour or a gasmask to put on your avatar.
and obviously this is not the right pics cause they mention hats, and earrings twice. and one other thing.....what the hell is the pic of the avatar holding a green wall up

ice~ @ Aug 4th 2008 3:54PM

LOL read the dam article, this isn't what the creator looks like it's a collage of all the different icons!!!!! god people don't read. Anyway, I'm not a fan of this, I mean I love MS and Rare but I don't like the avatar design, Anyone think they have enough time to redesign em (if they even would)??