So, remember how NinjaBee teased us with fireball-tossing Avatars last week? It turns out that the developer isn't creating a brand new Avatar game after all. Instead, NinjaBee is adding Avatar support to its turn-based strategy game, Band of Bugs. Yeah, it's not as exciting as the Avatar fighting game of our dreams, but it might be enough to make us blow the digital dust off of the XBLA title. Players will be able to use their Avatars in both the single-player campaign and in Spider Hunter multiplayer mode. The Avatar support will be coming as a free update on July 8.

In addition to Avatar support, NinjaBee is also set release an entirely new campaign for Band of Bugs entitled Tales of Kaloki, though it's very different from traditional DLC. Instead of simply expanding Band of Bugs, Tales of Kaloki actually plays like an entirely new game set in a different universe with different characters. Rather than pitting bugs against one another, players will control spaceships -- which utilize new weapons and abilities -- and try to blast their enemies out of the sky. And, judging from the above image, you can also wreak urban havoc with your Avatar.

As the title implies, Tales of Kaloki is based on another NinjaBee XBLA game, Outpost Kaloki X. The DLC will be available July 8 for 240 ($3). NinjaBee will also be releasing a Band of Bugs dashboard theme on the same day for the same price.

Check out screens of Tales of Kaloki and Avatars in Band of Bugs in the galleries below.

Now, NinjaBee, seriously ... about that fighting game ....

Joystiq tipsters -- and Xbox.com regulars -- have noticed a strange Beta 2009 icon appearing on some Xbox 360 'Played Games' profiles. While speculation (or hopes and dreams) was that the icon was related to something important, sources tell Joystiq that Microsoft is internally testing Avatar awards. Sorry, no megatons here.

From what we've been told, the test is an executable built for Beta users to play with the awards program before it launches. Avatar awards are triggered by in-game achievements: when a player unlocks an award -- clothing was the only specific award mentioned -- it is made available in the Avatar customization menu of the NXE. Select Xbox 360 users are already sporting fancy new threads, which are presumably related to this beta test.

Avatar awards were one of the many new features coming to the NXE revealed at E3 2009 -- including the smart evil idea of charging users for the real "cool" stuff.

Major Nelson sends word that new summer fashions are now available (and free!) for Xbox 360 Avatars. The ladies get the bulk of the new clothing options, with the flower vest, surfer hot pants, surfer skirts, surfer shorts and the surfer dress (protip: Don't surf in a dress). Male Avatars get the rashguard, swim shorts, surfer shorts and what Microsoft calls a "white vest." Come on Microsoft, we know a K-Fed tank top when we see one.

Here's an interesting one. Ninjabee, creator of some of the better XBLA games out there (Cloning Clyde, A Kingdom for Keflings) recently posted a somewhat cryptic Twitter message. The tweet reads simply, "Here's the big news for the day: Ever wanted to throw a fireball with your Avatar?" The message is followed by a link leading to the image above, with the somewhat less cryptic message, "Soon you'll be able to use your Avatar in ways it hasn't been used before..."

First, the obvious answer to the question is a hearty "yes." We want our Avatars to do a lot of things, including some of the things they aren't allowed to do. Second, just what is this message all about? Dare we hope that Ninjabee is working up some kind of Avatar fighting game, perhaps in the manic style of Super Smash Bros. or possibly, dream of dreams, Power Stone? We've reached out to Ninjabee and will let you know as soon as we hear more.

In the meantime ... speculate.

It appears that a short while back, XNA developers were informed by the lordship at Microsoft of the things they can't have the Xbox 360 Avatars do in their games. The list is pretty much designed to stop some ambitious developer from making the most adorable Grand Theft Auto clone ever. Here's some of the rules:

• Avatars can't engage in violence that causes "blood, gore, dismemberment, decapitation, maiming, or mutilation. ... Avatars can die temporarily to depict failure"
• They can't talk.
• Forget any sexual innuendo or "mildly explicit sexual descriptions or images or sexual posturing."
• No bodily fluids can come from the Avatar.
• Avatars can't go on glamorized crime sprees.
  
• Avatars can't spend time with Mary Jane, shoot up, snort or do any other "controlled substances" ... they can't even smoke normal tobacco.

All use of Avatars must be approved by Microsoft -- and the full list is much longer. Check out the nitty gritty details here.

[Via CVG]

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

During Microsoft E3 2009 Blogger / Enthusiast Luncheon -- you know, this one -- Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten announced the Avatar Marketplace for the Xbox 360. The Avatar Marketplace, unsurprisingly, will allow 360 owners to download new apparel for their Avatars. Players will be able to browse game specific storefronts. Yes, storefronts, so don't expect all the apparel to be free.

In addition, Whitten also announced Avatar Awardables. Awardables, as their name implies, are articles of clothing that can be awarded by Xbox 360 games for completing certain tasks. "I think you're going to see a ton of new content that comes from that," said Whitten. The apparel won't be limited to things like shirts and shoes either, as the ODST Avatar above illustrates, it's conceivable we could see little Alan Wakes and Raidens running all over Xbox Live soon.

Whitten didn't announce any release date for Awardables or the Avatar Marketplace, but given the ODST apparel, we'd say Fall 2009 is a good bet.

Now your Avatar can commit a high crime of fashion: wearing socks with sandals. Seriously, it's not OK. We're totally Mommie Dearest "no wire hangers" serious about it. The abomination is only one of pret-a-porter options the Avatars have available in the latest clothing update.

His:

• Flip Flops
• High Top Sneakers
• Socks and Sandals
• 70's Leather Platforms

Hers:

• Sunny Day Sandals
• White 60's Boots

Remember that new Avatar clothing options are marked with a gold star. Also, remember to immediately block and remove any friends with the socks and sandals on their Avatar. It's a sin!

We can no longer keep up this thin, false veneer of hatred towards the upcoming debut of Xbox Live Primetime's inaugural title, 1 vs. 100. Yes, it's tragically Saget-free, but the gameplay footage seen above actually looks pretty fun. Hey, even if it doesn't look like your cup of tea, you could potentially nab another game just by playing this one! How can you argue with that? What's that? You're angry because they haven't brought Press Your Luck to the Primetime service? Well that's a stupid argument.

We'll admit it: The reason there isn't a lady up top is because we didn't want to delete our precious avatar. We crafted him so carefully! Either that, or we're totally lazy. No matter! As you can see (at least partially) above, new clothing -- hip-hop themed clothing, at that -- has arrived for your Xbox Live avatar.

Major Nelson's blog informs us the (still free) clothing comes in the female as well as the male variety, and we've listed below what your options are. We'll just be upfront and say it -- where's the oversized men's jacket with a myriad of patches for various sports teams? And the Kanye shades? Eh? EH?! Hit the break for all the details on the new clothing, gangstas.

[Thanks, Julian!]

Brand new Avatar threads are now available for your virtual-selves. This week's additions include business clothes for men and women ... just in case your Avatar was planning on attending a job interview or something. One thing to note before you dress up for that next online date, change your shoes. Business suits and sneakers don't work.

Male Business Attire

• Blue Formal Shirt
• Moleskin Pants
• Waistcoat and Shirt
• Suit and Tie (pictured)
  

Female Business Attire

• Pencil Skirt
• Slacks
• Pinstripe Blazer
• Twin Set

A recent forum post by Capcom senior producer Daryl Allison hints that something to do with Avatars and Age of Booty will be revealed next Wednesday, March 25. The title of the post simply reads "Age of Booty - Xbox Avatars Set Sail." We're guessing this means that Capcom will be adding Avatar support to Age of Booty. Another possibility is that Avatars will receive some Age of Booty themed clothing. We're kind of hoping for the second possibility, because our Avatar is just dying for a peg leg.

We've contacted the folks at Capcom in hopes that they might clear up this confusion. We'll update this post when we receive new information.

[Update: As reader Johnathan points out, the Capcom post more than likely refers to the Avatar support that was announced in January. Originally slated for a February release, it has yet to see the light of day. Bet your booties (get it?) that Avatar support will arrive next week.]

Brain Challenge just joined the short list of Xbox Live Arcade games that support Avatars, as confirmed by Major Nelson's recent Tweet. Avatar support is installed into Brain Challenge via a new title update, automatically downloaded the next time you launch the game online. While we'll take our cameos wherever we can get 'em, Brain Challenge wasn't exactly the next destination we had in mind for our cartoon likenesses. Street Fighter II HD on the other hand ... now that's the kind of game we could really see ourselves in!

Brand new Avatar apparel is available via the Xbox 360's Avatar customizer and, this week, it's all about the western flavor. The new western-wear is supposedly inspired by this week's South by Southwest celebration, but we think the design team just wanted to see what a female Avatar looked like in a knee high denim dress. Well ... now we know.

For the Cowboys

• Black Cowboy Hat
• Rodeo Jeans
• Black Trench Coat
• Western Duster
• Cowboy Boots

For the Cowgirls

• Cowgirl Shirt
• Rhinestone Cowgirl Hat
• Denim Skirt
• Dungarees
• Cowgirl Boots

Nestled in a press release announcing the inclusion of Yahtzee in Hasbro Family Game Night (something we already knew) is confirmation that four Hasbro games will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade sometime this March.

Scrabble, Connect Four, Battleship and Yahtzee will be the first four Hasbro titles made available when Xbox Live's special Family Game Night Destination launches next month. Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders will release later this year.

The press release also confirms Avatars will be supported and that each title can be purchased individually for 800 ($10). If that wasn''t enough information, we're told the Family Game Night Destination lets players launch Hasbro games from their own customized game room. This uniquely decorated space accommodates Mr. Potato Head, can be shared with friends and sounds to be somewhat inspired by Home.