191w ago - Since PS3 Firmware 3.0 many have voiced their dislike on the gray bars around the Friends List redesign.

Last week we saw some videos on Sony PS3 XMB Ideas, and today some 'Premium Avatar' Friends List concept pictures surfaced from Andrewskates on the official PlayStation Boards.

To quote: "Here are some rough concepts I made up, with the direction I think Sony [is] going to take with the unpopular gray friend cards, integrating them as 'Premium Avatars'.

I figured it would seem a bit of a rip off to just pay for new small pictures, thus I think that they will incorporate the entire card instead of just a small picture.

This would be a great way to market upcoming games and further integrate the IP's into the user base.

I left in the current gray boring design in as a direct comparison. Bear in mind these were just made for fun."

199w ago - A leaked video appeared to indicate that Golf is coming to Microsoft's XBox 360 console with avatars.

Everything looks fairly early in development with limited sound and very simple textures.

The gameplay seems to be similar to Hot Shots Golf, with no hint of Natal interaction or Tiger Woods flicking.

To quote: Being that Nintendo's Wii Sports is the most successful videogame of all time, it would not be surprising at all the soo Microsoft try to come into the same field with a "Xbox 360 Sports".

This could be the start of many Avatar Sports titles to come and more than likely for Project Natal.

222w ago - Recently Microsoft launched a new way for XBox Live members to interact with their newly minted avatars.

The new initiative is called "Free Your Avatar" and with this new idea, comes a Web site where you can take your avatar out of the Xbox Live arena, and put him into desktop wallpaper, screensavers, etc.

Once exported, users can then customize their image, uploading and adding props and backgrounds to liven things up. You will even be able to create festive cards that you can send to friends and relatives.

All clothing choices are free, and will remain available. It is easy to tell what is new when you are in the avatar editor, just look for the gold star. Any item of clothing with a gold star is new since the last time you signed in to the avatar editor.

Finally, Microsoft states the application will provide options for every special occasion, from XBL member's birthdays to holidays.

228w ago - Per XBox Live's Major Nelson via the official blog (linked above):

It's almost New Years, and that means some new Avatar clothes! As always, all clothing choices are free, and will remain available:

For the guys, we now have:

- Pixel Art Hoodie
- Rave Baseball Cap
- Dark Purple Jeans
- Green Skinny Fit Jeans
- Pink Sweat Bands

The ladies have these new items available:

- Green Chunky Ring
- Red Chunky Ring
- Yellow Fingerless Gloves
- Blue Fingerless Gloves
- Chunky Beaded Bracelet
- Day-glo Zebra Print Pumps
- Rave Baseball Cap

Remember: It is easy to tell what is new when you are in the avatar editor, just look for the gold star. Any item of clothing with a gold star is new since the last time you signed in.

292w ago - A virtual character, or avatar, for all the virtual worlds in which people play is the goal of a joint project between IBM and Linden Lab.

The computer giant and the creator of Second Life are working on universal avatars that can travel between worlds.

The project aims to open up virtual worlds by introducing open tools that work with any online environment.

The companies hope to boost interest in virtual worlds as well as make them easier to navigate.