Note: The views expressed in this Editorial represent the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of XcastOnline.com, or its owner(s).
By now many of you should have already installed the brand new update to the dashboard, what we affectionately call the New New Xbox Experience Update 1 or NNXE Update 1 for short. Many of us in the preview program, as well as in press previews, have been using many of the features for weeks already, and had no idea that even more stuff would show up upon launch.
Once the update went live this week, many people in the preview program were excited to find that much more was available in the Avatar Marketplace. You would think this would make people happy as there is more selection right? WRONG! Very quickly people realized that Microsoft, an actual business, would like to do just that - run a business and make money. People’s protests of the prices, while commendable are in vain.
Hit more after the jump!
So it’s completely understandable that people want to protest having to pay lots of money for items that have absolutely no tangible benefits. These items can in no way affect your gaming experience and they cannot give you special powers within your games, short of using your avatar in a few XBLA titles, and 1vs100 they provide nothing to your gaming experience. So why would someone want to spend hard-earned money (that’s been turned into what we like to call Microsoft Banana Dollars, aka: Microsoft Points) into virtual clothes for your virtual self? To stand out from the crowd, that’s why!
People always want to stand out in a crowd, especially online, and with the Xbox 360 and the use of avatars you can do just that. What Microsoft has brought us with the NNXE update 1 is the ability to expound upon what we were given last November when the NXE first came out. It allows us to add more personality to our digital selves, and I can continue to show my awesome obsession with the Halo Franchise, and much more. For close to a year our avatars wore a lot of the same clothes as everyone else because Microsoft (who may have dragged their feet) took so long to launch the avatar marketplace.
Well, yesterday many of the community sites out there banded together to create a new trending topic called "#AMPsucks," on Twitter, which stands for “Avatar Marketplace sucks." OK that’s fine, everyone is completely entitled to their opinion. But there is a problem with this protest.
Microsoft is a business. The arguments of two-hundred some people, heck even a thousand people are not going to change Microsoft’s mind on the avatar marketplace. Now many people are wondering what the big issue is. Well for that I point you to the starters of the #AMPsucks hash tag, our friend DeeJay Knight over at GamingTruth.com. He wrote a very good and very detailed editorial on his and his friends’ feelings about the Avatar Marketplace. Their biggest gripe is that items like the Star Wars Clone Trooper outfit will set you back 400 MS points for the armor, 160 for the helmet, and another 400 MS points for the Lightsaber ... if you want to top it off with the appropriate avatar prop. And yes, we said Lightsaber.
Honestly, I can relate to the argument of the protesters, that from a consumer’s perspective it makes absolutely no sense to sell them separately it really doesn’t, but here is why and it’s what I stated above at the beginning of this editorial: Microsoft is a business! Microsoft knows full-well that the outfit should be bundled together as many other outfits in the avatar marketplace. Microsoft knows how popular Star Wars is. It’s one of, if not the most popular sci-fi series of movies of all time. It spanned 3 movies in the 70’s and 80’s which our parent’s were geeking out for, to the newer prequel movies many of us geeked out for. Let’s face it, without Star Wars the Sci-Fi genre would not be where it is today, and that’s exactly what Microsoft is playing into. Who hasn’t wanted to dress up as a Storm Trooper and wield a Lightsaber?!
Who are we to decide what someone wants to spend their own hard-earned cash on? If someone wants the Storm Trooper armor and Lightsaber bad enough, they will hand over the points... and who are we to deny them that? And honestly, it would take a good chunk of the six million users, and I’m talking close to a million if not more, to change Microsoft’s mind on the matter. Only you can decide if it's worth it or not. It's your money can you live with spending money wildly on your avatar?
This article isn't to combat the people upset about the pricing, that's not the point at all! It's to show the other side of the picture. Remember there are always two sides to every story. Now my big question is: how many of the people upset about the pricing on “intangible” items on the NNXE update 1 are the same people who thought Avatars were a complete waste and wanted nothing to do with them? Yep that’s what I thought...
A couple more things, too. 1) No community member got ANYTHING off the Marketplace for free; if they say that don't believe them, they just don't want to admit they broke down and spent their points on their Avatar. Short of the E3 2009 trophy NONE, nothing was freely given. 2) Yes that is my Avatar, I totally spent the money, What do you have to say about that?
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written by Mr.D, August 13, 2009
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written by D'Juan aka Deejay Knight, August 13, 2009
I like the fact that you added one particular phrase:
Very quickly people realized that Microsoft, an actual business, would like to do just that - run a business and make money.
That gets right to the heart of the discussion at hand, really. The business side of Microsoft wants to make money, and that part is completely expected, understandable, and by purchasing MS Points to buy games or Avatar pieces, I already support it. To be completely honest, if I was ever in the position to charge for something, you couldn't make a better choice than Star Wars!
To clarify though, #AMPSucks isn't about stopping Microsoft from making money - to the contrary, it merely suggests lower prices. Lower prices = more purchases = more MS Points spent in the Marketplace.
You see, the trend I've noticed on Xbox Live is that prices consistently go up. XBLA Games started at 800 Points but now regularly release at 1200 Points, themes have gone up in price, and now the Avatar Marketplace is selling items at prices rivaling some Arcade titles.
The biggest reason for #AMPSucks outside of the already high prices (in my opinion of course) is the already set precedence for raising those prices later. If thos of us who think the prices are too high sit complacently in the beginning, it'll be too late to combat when Avatar gear hits the 800 & 1200 Points.
I have never, nor will I ever be someone who tells others how to spend their money (until my wife and I have kids, that is). That's not what I do. Adults are free to spend their money on what they wish. #AMPSucks just aims to give them more for their money. I point that out in the final line of my article, which you so graciously linked to:
I sincerely hope they lower prices soon. Because I’d LOVE to wear some Splinter Cell: Conviction gear on my Avatar. I’m just not spending $5 to do it. You shouldn’t either. Use #AMPSucks on Twitter and let them know how you feel!
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written by gamewizardx, August 13, 2009
Key thing is to remember, Microsoft is a business and is in no way should be held to set pricing just to please people. Microsoft is in no way dumb and they most likely have spent a good amount of money studying us to see the most effective way to get money out of our pockets, this is a point of a business after all. If you don't like the pricing vote with your dollars and don't buy it. I think we have a little to much Obama on the brain as of late by thinking we should be able to choose business pricing or providing hand outs.
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written by Gemini Ace, August 13, 2009
I personally don't care if people spend their money to pimp their avatar. What I do care about is the message that it sends to Microsoft. If a few hundred thousand people buy the lightsaber for $5, what does that tell MS? It gives them the green light to charge that much for something like a Gears of War Lancer, or Halo energy sword.
And these little baubles don't really cost MS anything. There's no shelf space to maintain. Once the item is crafted, it goes up and just makes pure profit. And that's fine for Microsoft to make a profit. But, if we don't make a stand on this now, where does it stop?
Bottom line is, we pay for Xbox Live, yet we also see ads. We've been buying stuff like gamerpics and themes for years. This is the next step, and with that step has come an increase in cost.
How much will these things cost on the Xbox 720?
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
Damn Right I spent $10 (actually its more like 12 bucks but i digress) But that's more about being a big star wars fan (and Clone Wars tv show fan) than anything else. I means it's a FREAKING lightsaber! Secondly my stand out comment isn't geared so much towards the stand out on LIVE itself as it is standing out amongst your friends
While I think you went a bit to the extreme with the Obama comment and I DO NOT want this turned into political debate. But you hit the nail right on the head. MS knows our spending habits which means there has to be at least 60% of the userbase of Xbox LIVE actually spending this kind of money all the time.
And you right it's ok if you don't want to spend the money on your Avatar no one is stopping anyone from that or trying to convince you otherwise. Natural way of things is prices go up. It's been this way with video games since the 80's prices have and will continue to go up, and the small voice of a sliver of the LIVE population sadly wont convince them otherwise.
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
Thank you for the link love back dude!
I never once said #AMPsucks was to stop people from making money. And like I said I think it's admirable what you guys are doing and I agree with it to an extent. But when it's the end of the day there are way bigger fish to fry than to get "up in arms" over virtual content that has absolutely no value whatsoever. Your right with XBLA but lets and it sucks prices go up, but lets look at a few Factors:
When XBLA launched were mostly arcade titles complete ports of the original arcade classics etc there was some original games but mostly that’s what it was. As time has gone on XNA development has exploded and games not only look way more awesome graphically wise they are much much more in depth. Shadow complex for example, there is no way we would have seen this game back with XBLA launched no way no how. I think MS is somewhat justified in the price increase of XBLA titles in that respect.
Like I said in the article these clothes for the avatars have no value whatsoever they do NOTHING at all and in that case probably don’t warrant the high price. But what Microsoft has seen and decided is that they rather raise their prices on some items knowing that many of us want to use the avatar to tap into that vain side we all have.
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written by Becky, August 13, 2009
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
IMO it seems to be getting all up in arms over something so trivial.
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written by winky the avatar, August 13, 2009
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written by Dirk, August 13, 2009
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written by Patrick, August 13, 2009
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
Who cares what it is priced at? It's just something that is only changing the look of something and nothing else.
And your right gamers really do want everything free. It would be a scary industry if that was a reality.
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written by D'Juan aka Deejay Knight, August 13, 2009
The small amount of time I've spent doing this so far has been for the community as a whole. No, I'm not a fan of the pricing structure, and that's quite obvious. That's not because I don't have the money to spend on an avatar - I'm likely going to buy Trials HD when I'm done writing this comment. The problem I see is that just like the prices rising in Arcade games, the Avatar gear is only going to get more expensive.
Maybe that's a better way of presenting it? I've been staying away from the question because people keep taking it as if I want to tell them how to spend their money, when that's far from the case:
How much is too much for something you want for your avatar? Is $10 too much? What about $15 or $20?
Bottom line is that they're going to charge whatever they can get away with, and it will slowly creep higher from there. Whether that entrance is 40 Points or 400, I leave in the hands of other gamers.
I've already voted with my wallet by not buying any of the accessories/clothing/gear, and I'll continue to do so.
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written by namefield, August 13, 2009
The same goes for people that buy crap on Home.
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
Thank you for your insightful comment
/sarcasm
Next time please don't bother if all your going to do is call people names.
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written by namefield, August 13, 2009
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written by namefield, August 13, 2009
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written by namefield, August 13, 2009
Just do me a favor, knock it off with the /sarcasm, it's very obnoxious.
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written by Goodeye, August 13, 2009
The /sarcasm is my way of dealing with someone who walks in and adds nothing to the discussion and calls people names. Sorry if this offends you as long as you can add to this discussion in a meaningful manner then by all means stay.
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written by namefield, August 13, 2009
I personally feel that the prices of avatar items should be capped at 150MSP or 200MSP. I just don't think gears of war armor is worth 320 points.
I definitely like the idea of awards though, it gives more worth to achievements.
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written by andhan, August 14, 2009
this means if u buy the light sabre for 4 bucks ...no one can see it , sry when i'm wrong but this is my experience with da bball.
My opinion is when u want to, then buy it else leave it , it is unnescessary forXBL , but when i spent that money on , I wanted at least to see activities when i'm in a party ther should be a function (button) to activate my item like a bball.
This is only thing micro should look forward to. If i buy a shirt I can see it everywhere if i buy an item its like ohhhh shiii****t
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written by S., August 14, 2009
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written by Goodeye, August 14, 2009
Yes the items can not be used directly by you.
This is rumor as I have heard it and is in no way confirmed but if MS ever gets a "home" like environment on the 360 I have heard props could possible be used.
Remember it's a rumor and should only be taken with a grain of salt if that.
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written by S., August 14, 2009
I also think there should be a warning so people don’t buy a bunch of stuff for the non live users on the box. The warning should read something like ‘Warning ~ only the avatar that buys this item can use this item no other players on the console shall have access to it unless they purchase the same item.’
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written by Goodeye, August 14, 2009
Currently and since the 360 has been out you could basically get ANY gamerpic you wanted to without buying it. So lets say Friend "A" bought a gamerpic I want but wont buy. If I take my gamertag on a memory card or whatnot over to A's console I could then edit my profile with the gamerpic he bought and then take my gamertag back to my 360 and have the new gamerpic. As long as I NEVER change the gamerpic I still have it.
I think MS would have no problem with us letting our other tags in the house using items but due to the fact that would mean ALL my friends who come over could "take" the items they chose the route they have taken.
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written by Gatchez, August 18, 2009
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written by Goodeye, August 18, 2009
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