Microsoft: WoW Influenced NXE Avatars
Nintendo, once the weakest link, is now the market leader and innovator as well. The company created the Mii avatars, which is said to have influenced Microsoft’s new Avatars system in the upcoming New Xbox Experience, which will be released next month.
Microsoft has finally spoken on the issue, saying that it wasn’t Nintendo that influenced them, but Blizzard’s World of Warcraft.
“It’s not like Nintendo created the concept for having a virtual character," said Xbox director of marketing Albert Penello. "A lot of people want to compare it to the Miis but … if you talk to Mark [Xbox Live general manager], he’ll say his inspiration came more from [World of] WarCraft and seeing how dedicated people get to their characters."
The New Xbox Experience will launch on November 19.