Xbox Avatar Marketplace Items, Pricing Revealed; Or, How I Spent $4 to Look Like LeChuck
Chief among the additions is the new Xbox Avatar Marketplace, which allows users to purchase items for their virtual Avatar, such as my Monkey Island-inspired garb there.
That outfit ran me a total of 360 Microsoft Points ($4.50), broken down as follows:
- LeChuck Pirate Hat - 80 MS Points ($1)
- Meat Hook Pirate Eye Patch - 40 MS Points ($0.50)
- LeChuck Pirate Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
Microsoft cautioned that "only limited content is currently available in the preview," but the online store is already selling Fable II, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, The Secret of Monkey Island-themed items along with Steampunk and Recessionista "lifestyle" items.
Tees, such as those branded with a Fable II or Halo 3 image, seem to run 80 MS Points ($1), with fancier shirts (hoodies, coats) priced at 160 MS Points ($2). The more elaborate things seem to be a bit more expensive, like the LeChuck Pirate Suit at 240 MS Points ($3) and the Halo RC Warthog prop at 320 MS Points ($4), with tinier stuff--the Halo Laser Kill Ring, Meat Hook Pirate Eye Patch, Earrings--going for 40 MS Points ($0.50).
Below is a list of the various Monkey Island items, to give you an idea of what's out there:
- The Secret of Monkey Island Store (as of 7/24/09)
- Gaybrush Threepwood Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
- Stan the Salesman Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
- LeChuck Pirate Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
- Elaine Marley Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
- Swordmaster Suit - 240 MS Points ($3)
- Swordmaster Earrings - 40 MS Points ($0.50)
- Chicken with Pulley - 160 MS Points ($2)
- Eyeball Necklace Carryable - 160 MS Points ($2)
- Herman Toothrot Hat - 80 MS Points ($1)
- LeChuck Pirate Hat - 80 MS Points ($1)
- Meat Hook Pirate Eye Patch - 40 MS Points ($0.50)
- Monkey Island: SE Cotton Swab - 160 MS Points ($2)
- Pirate Telescope Carryable - 160 MS Points ($2)
- Seltzer Bottle Carryable - 160 MS Points ($2)
- Stan the Salesman Hat - 80 MS Points ($1)
- Treasure Hunt-ery Shirt - 80 MS Points ($1)
("I found the Treasure of Melee Island ...and all I got was this Stupid T-Shirt")
- Male
- Female
- Unisex
Of course, there's more than just game-related items. For example, the Steampunk Newsboy Cap and Goggles Combo will set you back 160 MS Points ($2). The Recession-branded Unlaced Combat Boots? The Steampunk Bowler Hat? Trendy Recession Glasses? Recession Cuffed Trousers? Steampunk Breeches? Recession Cuffed Denim Jeans? All 80 MS Points ($1) a piece, and there's plenty more to choose from.
However, the update adds more than just the ability to buy new items. Certain games, such as the just-released 'Splosion Man, will provide players with Avatar accessories as "awards" for meeting specific criteria. Not too many have embraced that functionality yet--it is a fresh addition to the Xbox 360, after all--but at the very least, the support is there.