Xboxist

Microsoft Planning "Advertars"

In addition to Silverlight-enabled dashboard adverts, Microsoft is looking for more ways to extract revenue from users of its Live service. The company has recently patented a system to provide users with branded avatars, and compensate them for pimping their corporate messages to other Xbox Live users. This would presumably take place in virtual environments similar to Sony's Home service like MMOs and the upcoming Joy Ride kart racer. The whole system revolves around these "advertars" which are like regular Xbox Live Avatars, but imbued with some special skill, such as the ability to transform into a robot to promote the film Transformers. Here are some other uses that Microsoft sees for the advertising scheme:

"In another example, to advertise the cereal TRIX, an advertiser may provide the TRIX RABBIT as the advertiser-generated avatar. The TRIX RABBIT avatar may include functionality to say the popular catchphrase "SILLY RABBIT, TRIX ARE FOR KIDS." In yet another example, to advertiser the ZUNE digital media player from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, an advertiser may provide an image of the ZUNE digital media player as the advertiser-generated avatar. The ZUNE digital media player avatar may include functionality to change colors, change models, and play various digital media."

Of course, nobody but the most mindless corporate drone would willingly agree to parade around a virtual environment acting as a brand spokesperson. That's why Microsoft also plans to compensate both the corporate pimp and the pimpee, who must listen to the message. See the following handy-dandy patent drawing which explains how the whole thing will go down:

Step 7... Profit!

Compensation will take the form of either real-world currency, Microsoft points, or useless virtual items such as food for a virtual pet that would die unless its master sells his soul to the highest bidder for a scant few more pellets of sustenance (seriously). For some reason, that last form of compensation seems like the most likely route for Microsoft to take. Speaking of which, does anybody want to hear about why Gillette provides the closest shave a man can get? Because our office pooch is starting to look a little bit gaunt.

[Source (with more great patent drawings): Siliconera]