Do the avatars on the Xbox 360 create a "negative appeal" for you?

This isn't a system war, this is simply asking, not if you don't care about the avatars on the 360 (the humanoid representations of "you"), but if the mere sight of them or the fact they exist makes you not want to play your 360. A friend of mine used the term "negative appeal" to describe them, and that they are (part of) the reason he doesn't play Xbox. I will point out that he does have a bias towards the PS3, but I came here asking if anyone else concurs with him.

Personally, I can understand someone not caring about avatars (I pretty much don't), but what I can't understand is somebody being repulsed by a "non-controversial" feature that is completely optional and in pretty much no way impedes your gaming. It was a similar situation when he strongly derided Ocarina of Time 3D for implementing the Sheikah Stones feature that give you hints on where to go if you want/need them. Sure, in both examples you were given a brief "Oh hey, this exists if you want to fool around with it", but it's not like you're forced to update your avatar every month, or that OoT 3D requires you to use the Sheikah Stones at any point. They're both completely optional.

I will reiterate, this is not a system war. If you want to bash another system, take it over to System Wars. This is me asking the GGD their opinion on these sort of features, specifically with 360 avatars, but also in general cases like the OoT 3D example I gave. If some one does agree with my friend, I just want a better argument for the reasoning other than "I don't know. I just don't like it." which was essentially his argument. Tell me how having more features, which do not affect your gameplay unless you want them to, is a bad thing.

I think they're great. I recently treated my avatar to a RE4 Leon S. Kennedy costume and he's never looked better.

The 360 avatars can be fun to mess around with. You can create some rather bizarre things and considering they're optional, I don't see an issue. I'm not a huge fan of using them in the actual games, but then again I imagine that would be fun for children so why not? Again, it's an optional feature.

As for the Ocarina of Time 3D thing, I also don't see an issue with that. It's just a feature to help players along and expand the user base by making it more accessible. Not really a problem. I remember back when Oblivion came out there was an outcry over the fast travel feature (in fact I may have been one of those who didn't like it at first) but when you think about, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there, completely optional, and a nice feature for people that don't want to walk around the world for hours on end.

I think they're a great idea. I can get a general idea of what a person looks like and what their personality is like from their avatar. If I have never met them in person.

Well it's fun when you have nothing else to do and it's a new way of M$ making money selling clothes and etcetra.

i like my ninja raving rabbid avatar,DAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

I think they're worse than cancer. Honestly, why would I want to play a bloody murder simulator (Assassin's Creed, for instance) and then escape to my dashboard to see a lame-ass cartoon version of myself smiling and waving like an idiot? I'm a grown ass man, no thank you.

But Microsoft is smarter than we think. Because avatars are so painfully lame, they force people to buy accessories and clothing to be slightly less embarassing. But it's a vicious cycle, because you can't fix something to broken. The Mii's work slightly better with Nintendo systems because they are in the spirit of the company. Avatars are a blatant, cash-grabbing rip off of Mii's who don't deserve HALF the success they achieve. But hey, at least it gives RARE something to do these days (since they don't make videogames anymore), right?

The 360 avatars can be fun to mess around with. You can create some rather bizarre things and considering they're optional, I don't see an issue. I'm not a huge fan of using them in the actual games, but then again I imagine that would be fun for children so why not? Again, it's an optional feature.

As for the Ocarina of Time 3D thing, I also don't see an issue with that. It's just a feature to help players along and expand the user base by making it more accessible. Not really a problem. I remember back when Oblivion came out there was an outcry over the fast travel feature (in fact I may have been one of those who didn't like it at first) but when you think about, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there, completely optional, and a nice feature for people that don't want to walk around the world for hours on end.

IndianaPwns39

I think they're stupid looking, so I choose not to pay attention to them. I don't see the reason for not wanting to play because of a minor, optional feature you don't particularly care for.

If he's extremely biased towards PS3 he's probably just trying to think of reasons to hate Xbox.

The 360 avatars can be fun to mess around with. You can create some rather bizarre things and considering they're optional, I don't see an issue. I'm not a huge fan of using them in the actual games, but then again I imagine that would be fun for children so why not? Again, it's an optional feature.

As for the Ocarina of Time 3D thing, I also don't see an issue with that. It's just a feature to help players along and expand the user base by making it more accessible. Not really a problem. I remember back when Oblivion came out there was an outcry over the fast travel feature (in fact I may have been one of those who didn't like it at first) but when you think about, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there, completely optional, and a nice feature for people that don't want to walk around the world for hours on end.

IndianaPwns39

My avy is a fashionista. >.>Allicrombie

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

The 360 avatars can be fun to mess around with. You can create some rather bizarre things and considering they're optional, I don't see an issue. I'm not a huge fan of using them in the actual games, but then again I imagine that would be fun for children so why not? Again, it's an optional feature.

As for the Ocarina of Time 3D thing, I also don't see an issue with that. It's just a feature to help players along and expand the user base by making it more accessible. Not really a problem. I remember back when Oblivion came out there was an outcry over the fast travel feature (in fact I may have been one of those who didn't like it at first) but when you think about, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there, completely optional, and a nice feature for people that don't want to walk around the world for hours on end.

Jbul

Alright, fine. Let me restate my point. While they're technically required, you don't have to do anything with them. When making an account, you can just select a default and move on. You don't have to dress them up, use them in games, personalize them, or pay any attention to them. Ok fine, maybe when they're off to the side it might irritate you, but I really don't see how it has a negative appeal when you don't have to do anything with them and just ignore the feature. Though everyone has their pet peeve.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

The 360 avatars can be fun to mess around with. You can create some rather bizarre things and considering they're optional, I don't see an issue. I'm not a huge fan of using them in the actual games, but then again I imagine that would be fun for children so why not? Again, it's an optional feature.

As for the Ocarina of Time 3D thing, I also don't see an issue with that. It's just a feature to help players along and expand the user base by making it more accessible. Not really a problem. I remember back when Oblivion came out there was an outcry over the fast travel feature (in fact I may have been one of those who didn't like it at first) but when you think about, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there, completely optional, and a nice feature for people that don't want to walk around the world for hours on end.

homegirl2180

I can't speak for Arena as I never played it, but I'm pretty sure it was in Daggerfall and you had the option to travel 2 different ways, one that got you there quickly with the possibility of losing health, and another that took your time. I could be wrong though.

At the time, I enjoyed how Morrowind tried to immerse the player in the world by offering fast travel via Silt Striders or various spells. Looking back, it was a selfish attitude but hey, I was young. I also really, really miss the Silt Striders.

I don't like them that much, but it doesn't make me not want to play the 360. But if there was an option to turn them off, I would do so gladly.

Im fine with them,I cant see how someone could be bothered by something like this.

If I wanted to play with dolls I'd buy a Barbie and change my name to Susie.

The insistence on avatars was the first sign that something had gone horribly wrong with Microsoft's strategy. Their infatuation with becoming the Wii has cost them a lot of credibility with me.

I think they're worse than cancer. Honestly, why would I want to play a bloody murder simulator (Assassin's Creed, for instance) and then escape to my dashboard to see a lame-ass cartoon version of myself smiling and waving like an idiot? I'm a grown ass man, no thank you.

But Microsoft is smarter than we think. Because avatars are so painfully lame, they force people to buy accessories and clothing to be slightly less embarassing. But it's a vicious cycle, because you can't fix something to broken. The Mii's work slightly better with Nintendo systems because they are in the spirit of the company. Avatars are a blatant, cash-grabbing rip off of Mii's who don't deserve HALF the success they achieve. But hey, at least it gives RARE something to do these days (since they don't make videogames anymore), right?

Jbul

lol you have a new avatar everytime i log on XBL. and it looks like you have fun with them too.

I am okay with these avatar simply because i enjoy logging on XBL just to see what absurd avatar Jbul has conjured up that week. :lol:

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

I think they're worse than cancer. Honestly, why would I want to play a bloody murder simulator (Assassin's Creed, for instance) and then escape to my dashboard to see a lame-ass cartoon version of myself smiling and waving like an idiot? I'm a grown ass man, no thank you.

But Microsoft is smarter than we think. Because avatars are so painfully lame, they force people to buy accessories and clothing to be slightly less embarassing. But it's a vicious cycle, because you can't fix something to broken. The Mii's work slightly better with Nintendo systems because they are in the spirit of the company. Avatars are a blatant, cash-grabbing rip off of Mii's who don't deserve HALF the success they achieve. But hey, at least it gives RARE something to do these days (since they don't make videogames anymore), right?

S0lidSnake

lol you have a new avatar everytime i log on XBL. and it looks like you have fun with them too.

I am okay with these avatar simply because i enjoy logging on XBL just to see what absurd avatar Jbul has conjured up that week. :lol:

If I wanted to play with dolls I'd buy a Barbie and change my name to Susie.

The insistence on avatars was the first sign that something had gone horribly wrong with Microsoft's strategy. Their infatuation with becoming the Wii has cost them a lot of credibility with me.

Shame-usBlackley

They grew on me :cry:

I neither like nor hate them but I am embarrassed that I have bought items in the past.

I'm okay with the Avatars but the UI (more specifically ads) suck alot out of it.