14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that Microsoft is getting pretty close to the release dates for some unique new features for the Avatars that have been available on the Xbox 360 for quite some time now. The company had already announced that it plans to add a Marketplace for Avatars and an Awards section for it but has given no clear timeline.
Recently, GameCinenaHD put up some screens, which have since been taken down and are not confirmed as being genuine by Microsoft, showing exactly how the Xbox Live Avatar screens will be looking once the update is implemented.
It seems that the two new sections will feature quite prominently in the Avatar sub-menu, with both the Marketplace and the Awards sections integrated in plain sight. The software giant is very interested in pushing the new features and aims to make sure that those who use Avatars are immediately aware of their existence.
The Redmond-based company is saying that the planned Marketplace will be stocked with game-inspired T-shirts, for the low price of 90 Microsoft Points, which is 1 dollar and other items for about 4 dollars. It is planning to offer Halo 3, Fable II, Gears of War 2 and Splinter Cell packs in the Marketplace immediately after it is launched. Too bad that the screen time dedicated to the Avatars on Xbox Live is so limited, which means that the special T-shirts will likely go pretty much ignored.
The Avatar Awards are a more nebulous topic. It's not clear whether players will be earning them by playing videogames tied to their account, kinda like they do with Achievements at the moment, or whether they will be tied to actions and states related to the Avatar itself. If Microsoft is really near to the release date for the two new features, then we might hear more about them from the company in the coming weeks.