Microsoft is working on a new Xbox 'Career' system with levels and Avatar loot crates

A few months ago Xbox platform chief Mike Ybarra teased that Microsoft was looking into ways to extend the Xbox achievement system beyond gamerscore, and this just might be it.

[Jinger]

Yayyy finally something to spend GS on!

[Godmars290]

Yeah. Nevermind that something like this will likely make the idea of lootboxes more accepted.

[Cy]

Lootboxes should be more accepted. Most of them are harmless.

[MegaMohsi]

lmao @ most of them are harmless. You people are the reason EA/Activision will continue to push the envelope in terms of MT's to see how much they can get away with.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Lets wait and see how they're implemented first we don't know how it works. yet If its predatory then the internet including myself will simply up rise against it. I understand the cause for concern considering the lootboxgate of last year.

[Godmars290]

Thing, within "most of" you get things that effect game development. Just like DLC did before it.

Really, the argument about lootcrates not effecting Battlefront 2 is the same as the Prothean DLC not effecting ME3. Being something aimed at new players.

[WilliamSheridan]

Cosmetic loot boxes are fine

[Jinger]

Its cosmetic shit for an avatar... who cares. You can't even buy the crap with real money anyway.

[Silly gameAr]

I'm' kind of nervous about all of the people are are defending and trying to justify some of the shady stuff that happens with lootboxes. I don't feel like being nickeled and dimed. That change adds up. But, if they're done right, different story.

[Professor_K]

MegaMoshi

Well let them push loot boxes if it woks for them. If it doesn't well too bad.
This isn't even gaming feature
You people are stupidly overreacting to a word.

[KillBill]

Point being that majority of so-called loot box situations are in fact non-intrusive and rarely effect consumers in-game. How again is "loot crates which come with cosmetic items for the new Avatars system" going to hurt anyone?

The idea anything about loot crates is bad is like saying the marijuana and guns are always bad. They are not... only when used in a bad manner.

[Scatpants]

Cy over here being part of the problem.

[UCForce]

@GrubsterBeater I agree. If this keep up, you will know what happened next. The government will get in there and force major publishers to change their policy. I don’t like government as everyone do, but major publishers gone too far and they will get caught eventually. Now there are 6 states of USA are considering loot boxes a illegal. Some people like me do think cosmetic does matter to us.

[gangsta_red]

I was wondering when those new avatars would happen.

[TheCommentator]

Yeah, me too. I'm hoping that their more realistic styling means they'll make Avatars useful for more games because as it stands right now they are nearly pointless. Honestly, I haven't seen anyone's Avatar on my XB1 for years.

Red Dead had them for specific achievements as did several others so it seems to be an extension of the Avatar Awards some games had. This concept at least piques my interest in hearing more, so I guess we'll see what MS plans to do with them in the long run.

[gangsta_red]

Yea, they were really useful on 360 for the XNA games but since those have all been abolished on X1 I don't see a point in them either.

[Cobra951]

I'm fine with everything about it except lootboxes. Letting those creep in would ruin it.

[-Foxtrot]

Lol...only Microsoft can turn an Achievement system into something which promotes Loot Boxes

Cosmetic or not...come on guys, a small thing like this which you can brush off will always come to bite you in the ass later and when I say "you" I mean gamers in general.

[Usperg]

Had to scroll down to see where YOU would pop up as soon as lootbox is mentioned!!!

[-Foxtrot]

Oh yes because I'm the only one against this shitty practice...just me...no one else at all

Get over yourself man. Who singles one person out over something like this? Seriously.

[Eonjay]

I was thinking the same thing as FoxTrot. Its fine to do this but don't relate it to loot crates like that is something gamers want...

[Takwin]

If by YOU, you mean the majority of gamers who are disgusted by loot boxes, then yes, you.

[TheCommentator]

The loot crates are for Avatar props, not in game items. What type of person complains about getting rewarded with free Avatar props for playing a game a lot? Do you currently complain when you get rewarded with an achievement/trophy that shows others how you play games too? It's intrinsically the same thing.

It seems cool to me that if, for example, you play CoD and get Prestige that you have a unique Avatar prop to show others your progress just like a trophy/achievement does. Can you honestly tell me what's bad about this example? I only see benefit.

[-Foxtrot]

Me:

"Cosmetic or not"

You:

"The loot crates are for Avatar props, not in game items"

Did you read my comment or did you see how I already established it was cosmetic and thought "Meh I'll ignore it".

Like Eonjay has said why the hell would you want to relate something to Lootboxes...things which gamers are not all too thrilled about, like they are the sort of thing we want? It's ridiculous and shows MS are out of touch.

Not really helping their overall image is it?

[Weeblordbad]

@foxtrot

Uh huh.

Why don't you wait to see how it's implemented? Instead of going all knee jerk immediately? If it's just Avatar props, then what's the issue? It kinda seems like you're making mountains from mole hills.

[staticall]

>It seems cool to me that if, for example, you play CoD and get Prestige that you have a unique Avatar prop to show others your progress just like a trophy/achievement does.
But current Xbox avatars already have reward system, games can give you cloth and/or accessories for achieving something in a game (like Mass Effect 3 can reward you with N7 helmet or you can get Super Meat Boy plushy for beating light world).

>Do you currently complain when you get rewarded with an achievement/trophy that shows others how you play games too?
IMO, your analogy is a little off. Problem is loot boxes. Like, imagine if you beat MGS 4 on Big Boss difficulty, under 5 hours, without being seen and instead of getting your hard earned achievement/trophy, you got "achievement" loot box, you open it and instead of what you earned, you get "Kill 1 enemy". What i'm trying to say, it's random loot box, someone might get the rarest uber cool item for playing the game for 5 minutes, while another unlucky fella might only get some shitty icons for 10 hours straight. Does that sounds fair to you personally?

TL;DR: If it was just play the game and get preset rewards (which Xbox already has), that's completely fine, i would even say, it's great, i wish Sony had something similar! Loot boxes are the problem, i can't remember anything that became better with loot boxes. And there's yet no confirmation you'll be able to buy loot boxes/items using GamerScore. And loot boxes might actually reward you with items from some unrelated game. And, !maybe!, some time after launch, they might start selling this loot boxes for real money.

[TheCommentator]

To answer your questions, Foxtrot: Yes, I read your comment. No, I didn't see you think to yourself that you would ignore it... posting in this thread is actually the opposite of ignoring the topic. Furthermore, there's no need to be condescending about my ability to read. I simply reiterated your point in my own words, then gave details explaining why I thought you shouldn't be upset with the idea. Okay, I'll try this one more time...

What doesn't make sense to me is that you are trying to compare an item package that offers in-game perks, skins, outfits, etc.(possibly even for a fee) to a new reward system that costs nothing, doesn't affect anything in a game, and only cosmetically enhances an Avatar to show some of your Achievements in a new way. That doesn't sound similar at all to me. Can you please tell how the Career system relates to the concept of Loot Boxes?

Staticall, it sounds like you're under the impression that the Career system is going to give you in game items, but that is not the case. The article never mentions anything beyond Avatar loot, so my comparison between the two is sound.

[mark_parch]

totally agree. I love the idea of having a career attached to achievements and unlocks but loot boxes is a definite no.

[jrshankill]

Why do you even care? It's optional, there is no confirmation if purchases are involved, and you don't own a Xbox One. Really, why and how does this affect you?

Its a UI based RUMORED system that rewards players for playing external games. Absolutely unreal that people will clutch at straws to downplay things.

[Sm00thNinja]

The lootboxes have to be earned you cannot purchase them. At least the documentation points to that. How can that be a bad thing

[Cobra951]

Earning a lootbox means earning something valuable to spend on the lootbox, right? You are coaxed into spending those earnings on a gamble. You want a certain item out of the gamble--an avatar shirt, or whatever. But you are not certain to get it. Just the opposite, chances are greater that you won't get it than that you will. So on most attempts, you will be throwing those earnings away. If you have a gambling weakness, as many do, instead of that waste teaching you not to throw anything valuable into gambling, it will egg you on to throw even more of it away.

This is why those of us who understand what's going on with this lootbox phenomenon are so adamantly opposed to it in any form, even when the currency is not real, and the prizes are just cosmetic. It is a drive to normalize the practice of egging consumers to throw most of what they spend away. (If the average odds of loorboxes paying out are 25%, you will be throwing away 75% of what you spend on them over time--you do understand that, right?)

[Sm00thNinja]

If I'm not spending money and can use the hard earned gamerscore I've got instead to be rewarded what's the harm in that??
It's free stuff basically, rewards for games I already intended to play. You can understand that too right??
What BF2 did. Totally against that. I'm not paying to win.
When Sony proposed using trophies for rewards everyone was ALL ABOUT IT. I don't understand why this is different? Because the free rewards may be random?

You conveniently are coming at me with an argument that I'm paying money in this equation, which I wouldn't be.

[generic-user-name]

A level system? Why not, it works well for PSN's trophies.

[bumbleforce]

I agree. I have wanted something like that for a while. I wish they had something like a platinum still

[PFFT]

Agreed!

[Sonic_Vs_Mario]

You mean Xbox 360 achievements? You could earn rewards like cosmetic items for avatars and gamerpics etc.

[generic-user-name]

No, I mean PSN trophies, it had a level system in since it launched. Bronze, silver, gold and plat are all worth different % as you level up.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Uhhh... no? Bad Microsoft... why would I or anyone buy or waste their Gamerscore on avatar lootcrates when avatars don't do much to begin with on the Xbox platform? In my entire 8 years with Xbox, I have only seen avatars a few times, and I liked the gimmick in 2010 when I bought my first 360, but nowadays, what are they used for? Absolutely nothing... Baffles what their priority is over there at the Xbox division...

[TheCommentator]

I don't think you read the article...

This is like achievements but instead of Gamerscore you are rewarded with Avatar props. I agree with you about the usefulness of Avatars ATM. Unless MS has big plans for them in the future, I don't see the point of this Career system. It makes me curious to know what MS plans to do with them if they are currently revamping the models and implementing the career system for a feature no one uses anyways.

[MetroidFREAK21]

I guess I misunderstood the gamerscore thing, but I still don't want these... Waste of time and resources if you ask me

[TheCommentator]

Yeah, I feel that way too, given how useless the Avatars are ATM. I have to assume that MS has plans to make them useful again, but who knows what they're thinking about it. Thanks for the apology, BTW. For what it's worth, I didn't mean to sound rude when I suggested that you didn't read the article but it sounds a bit condescending in retrospect... Sorry about that!

[PFFT]

Yeah they are. The serve little to no purpose at all. I would rather they bring some Dynamic theme action.

[Sm00thNinja]

Dumbest thing I've heard you say here smh. It's free stuff and the level system is welcome. Trophies have long surpassed the reward system of achievements almost since it's beginning.

[MetroidFREAK21]

No, I would much rather have exclusive games to play. I personally have no interest in what they are doing to compete with the PlayStation brand and their trophy system. I honestly have no interest in Gamescore or features that take advantage of it. It's becoming really hard to stick with the Xbox brand as a whole. They only did 2 good things this entire generation... Remove Kinect from the phat Xbox One in 2014, and the Xbox One X (which will be my final game console) as I will support that until no more games come out then I will move to PC only. People need to understand useless features like avatars and gamerscore do not sell consoles. Games are what sells consoles. Without exclusive games to make people buy the hardware, it will be useless... Nearly 90% of my library of (180+ games) are multiplats... Only a handful of exclusives... That's just unacceptable... The only reason I still play Xbox is because my friends only have Xbox... It's disappointing to support this company for so long, yet they really never want to deliver what fans want... Yes they delivered backwards compatiblity (which is fantastic) But seriously, who asked for avatar updates and features pertaining to lootcrates for avatars? The causal minority? Don't make me laugh. I don't claim to be a "hardcore gamer" but unless Microsoft does something to change the lack of games mentality, I will abandon the console, and I will fully jump on board with PC and Steam and use the money I make selling the console to upgrade my PC. I've simply had enough of wasted potential from the company and the brand I've been playing for nearly 8 years. Don't come in here to tell me I said something stupid. I know what I want as an Xbox gamer, as do many people, let the down votes pile up, I don't care anymore. Xbox needs to change, and fast

[Sm00thNinja]

I don't give a f*** if you're butthurt because I told you you said something stupid. You said somethin g without sufficient knowledge of what you were talking about which you admitted in your rebuttal to the commentator. And im not coming at you wrong because we know each other and I know who you are as a person. Don't buck up at me just because you're out of the Marine Corps either. I'm not talking to you any different from anyone else. If you've stuck with Xbox out of brand loyalty that's on you not me I have all 3 consoles that doesn't affect me. We're talking about an achievement system that is changing and MAYBE surpassing the trophy system on the PlayStation again which is loong overdue. I have tons of gripes about the Xbox ecosystem as a whole but that IS NOT THE TOPIC OF THIS DISCUSSION. At this point you're trolling. If you wanna argue that this system is broken or you don't like loot crates that's great. There's a million other topics here to discuss the Xboxs flaws and short comings, but if that's your argument to say Microsoft shouldn't be continuously working on making the Xbox a better place you're part of the problem too.

Sounds to me at this point you should definitely invest in a PS4 or Switch.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Who said I was butt hurt? No need to swear and then censor yourself. If you have something to say, say it. I do own a Switch. I also own a PC, and numerous retro game consoles. Yes I know you personally, but why bring up the military? Lol that's none of anyone's business... I do know what I am talking about. The majority of the Xbox community wants games for their console, not this nonsensical avatar stuff. Everything I mentioned was on topic... I have no interest in getting a PlayStation 4... I do not care Sony does with their machine. I play Xbox. The fact of the matter is that Xbox could be a lot better. There are several things they have done to improve the experience since 2013, but games is not one of them. That's what I want them to focus on... Not avatar BS that will fade into obscurity like the Kinect... I want this gaming division to focus on games. The Xbox brand as a whole needs this or they will not survive. Simple.

[Sm00thNinja]

You must not understand how the ban system works here. Can't curse, and I don't want you to feel like I was talking to you because I may have treated you a certain way previously. I agree with everything you've said. Just didn't think this was the platform to promote all your gripes.

[cfc83]

Loot boxes aare only a problem when the alternative is a slow progression system. There are games out there where you can quickly get items anyway, without having to pay i.e halo 5.

[2pacalypsenow]

Achievements on the Xbox 1 are terrible they are a pain to use, they were perfect on the Xbox 360.

Only good thing is the tracking, but they are way to far into the menus.

[chiefJohn117]

Pushing the guide button and selecting achievements is too hard? ROFL just when I thought I heard it all

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Dear God. Loot crates have even invaded profiles now.

[2pacalypsenow]

Next thing you know, instead of getting an achievement you get a loot box with a chance of earning the achievement.

[vikingland1]

That made me Lol 😆

[Professor_K]

No

[Vizigoth04]

I know I've written paragraphs in blogs before how PlayStation should do something like this. Make a PlayStation Trophy League. With a layout similar to Final Fantasy X's Grid System. Unlocking key trophies from games opens up a choice of path for the next Trophy to achieve. Could unlock an in game perk/DLC for every trophy earned essentially. But it should be tailored to your gaming likes. So you shouldn't have to be forced to play Madden and earn a Trophy if you don't even poke Sports games. But it could drive people to buy key games boosting sales of software. Hopefully this is nice for Xbox Fans if they want it.

[dragonyght]

loots crates

[BadElf]

Sounds cool. Remember on 360, games would have Gamer Pics/ Themes sometimes to unlock?
I wish that was around in some way today....

[Silly gameAr]

#Rememberon360

[OpenGL]

Oh boy, can't wait for Xbox trading cards like on Steam. Gotta craft those badges because achievements just didn't offer enough monetization opportunities.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I would welcome a new system

[Silly gameAr]

XBoxLive 2.0.

[DiRtY]

I actually think this sounds cool. I liked Halo 5 and the lootboxes as well.

I still have to use lootboxes worth $40 in Halo and I never spent any real money there. You can easily get this from playing the game.

Yet, it is fun to see what you will get out of these lootboxes.

[MagicBeanz]

Regardless of how minimally invasive it may be you'd think everyone would want to avoid loot boxes like the plague right now, apparently not Microsoft.

[chiefJohn117]

It depends on how it's implemented. Nothing wrong with a free random award.

[Mister_G]

Loot boxes? They are the devil incarnate.... apparently :)

[DJStotty]

Have the xbox team actually called them "loot crates" or is it just this site? As per article

"It appears that players using this new Career system will be able to obtain levels, and even prestige ranks, obtaining rewards such as loot crates which come with cosmetic items for the new Avatars system."

Soooo.... it isnt known how it will actually work, and what players will actually receive in this new "career" system.

So lets leave judgement until it is actually announced

[thexmanone]

Finally, someone actually did read the article.

[Cobra951]

You answered your own question right after you posted it.