View Full Version : Idea: Avatar App
So after looking at the 'Gamertag' thread I got this idea. Wouldn't it be cool if our avatars indicated when we were on/off LIVE?
Granted, I understand we don't do animated .gifs nor those sig bar things. This application would simply change your avatar when you were online.
I think it would be fairly easy to do (if you have the skill set to do it). If I understand correctly, infomration about LIVE IDs is kind of open source i.e. mygamertag.net. We also have the option of using a web based avatar via http://.
My mock-up....
If your online
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2915602850_2e1da9a8f0.jpg?v=0
If your off...maybe or it could just be your regular avatar
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2915602900_991803b322.jpg?v=0
A variation of the online
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2914757279_ae2009c84f.jpg?v=0
So what do you think?
jeffbax
10-05-2008, 11:21 AM
What about Steam and PSN?
You'd have to differentiate the two online/offline graphics better. I'd be more in favor of dropping the join date, post count, and location and having status text for whatever services you have. Its also probably much less expensive than trying to generate 40 images per page on the fly.
fitbabits
10-05-2008, 11:53 AM
What about Steam and PSN?
You'd have to differentiate the two online/offline graphics better. I'd be more in favor of dropping the join date, post count, and location and having status text for whatever services you have. Its also probably much less expensive than trying to generate 40 images per page on the fly.
PSN is meaningless, as is Steam.
Obviously online gaming begun (and will end) with Xbox LIVE. :rolleyes:
What about Steam and PSN?
You'd have to differentiate the two online/offline graphics better. I'd be more in favor of dropping the join date, post count, and location and having status text for whatever services you have. Its also probably much less expensive than trying to generate 40 images per page on the fly.
That is a good idea too(dropping the join date and post count). Many people have actually stated that they would like to see the post count gone. Plus you'd be able to add other things like Steam and PSN. I was just posting an example though, of course I don't think it would be feasible to generate specific avatars. I was thinking of having a general one or something. It could be a really good endeavor for someone looking to build a web site/app though (similar to mygamertag.net).
To be honest I really didn't care about those other networks... I'm a LIVE gamer, so forgive my bias. Yet, if I'm not mistaken you probably shouldn't care about one of them that you mentioned either (not yet at least) :rolleyes:
Siraris
10-05-2008, 12:07 PM
Personally? I think that sounds like it's a lot of work when you can either 1. Sign on Live and check in 3 seconds, 2. Install xblist (http://brh.numbera.com/software/xblist/), 3. Goto X-box.com and check.
Brady
10-05-2008, 12:11 PM
Instead of it changing your avatar it would be much easier to just have a small indicator underneath your avatar. For instance that green little dot indicates that you are signed into the CoG forum. It would be much easier to just add a mini XBL icon next to that that changes depending on whether you are signed in or not, that way you can easily adjust in the vB templates to include one for XBL, PSN, or Steam depending upon whether the info is filled in on the users profile.
Quite easy to do actually, given there is an easy way to scrape the data from another website on whether your online or not. I believe that is pretty easy for XBL, but I'm not sure about PSN or Steam.
Instead of it changing your avatar it would be much easier to just have a small indicator underneath your avatar. For instance that green little dot indicates that you are signed into the CoG forum. It would be much easier to just add a mini XBL icon next to that that changes depending on whether you are signed in or not, that way you can easily adjust in the vB templates to include one for XBL, PSN, or Steam depending upon whether the info is filled in on the users profile.
Quite easy to do actually, given there is an easy way to scrape the data from another website on whether your online or not. I believe that is pretty easy for XBL, but I'm not sure about PSN or Steam.
I like that idea better than mine! Mine was a bit over kill now, but that is what discussions are for; to bring ya back down to earth.
All we care about is LIVE anyways... ta hell with the others :D
jeffbax
10-05-2008, 12:26 PM
Yet, if I'm not mistaken you probably shouldn't care about one of them that you mentioned (not yet at least) :rolleyes:
Umm.. what?
pseudopseudo
10-05-2008, 12:35 PM
This all sounds like more work than it's worth. REALLY.
This all sounds like more work than it's worth. REALLY.
Why! Why must you steal my joy!? I can dream can't I?!
pseudopseudo
10-05-2008, 12:45 PM
Why! Why must you steal my joy!? I can dream can't I?!
It's part of my job description.
Job Title: pseudopseudo
Position Description: Make half-assed forum posts at the website of your choice. Play lots of video games. Drink lots of booze. Also, steal people's joy.
Experience Required: College Degree, one year experience, must have kicked at least one young child in the shin.
I'd imagine that someone has done a vBulletin plugin for this already if someone looked hard enough. However I don't really play a lot of multiplayer, so don't care enough to look :P
It's part of my job description.
Damn you!!!!!!
Brady
10-05-2008, 01:32 PM
Just did some research on the matter and found a method to get the online status as well as other XBL data for a gamercard without having to embed the entire gamercard.
There is a program that MS set up for developers of community websites to get XBL data called XCDP (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/developer/). Someone has set up a service for those that won't be accepted into XCDP so everyone can benefit. All you have to do is pass this address a xbox live gamertag and it will return an XML file with all the info about the gamertag.
For example:
http://duncanmackenzie.net/services/GetXboxInfo.aspx?GamerTag=The+Brady
This would make the online status indicator very easy to do for XBL.
Just did some research on the matter and found a method to get the online status as well as other XBL data for a gamercard without having to embed the entire gamercard.
There is a program that MS set up for developers of community websites to get XBL data called XCDP (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/developer/). Someone has set up a service for those that won't be accepted into XCDP so everyone can benefit. All you have to do is pass this address a xbox live gamertag and it will return an XML file with all the info about the gamertag.
For example:
http://duncanmackenzie.net/services/GetXboxInfo.aspx?GamerTag=The+Brady
This would make the online status indicator very easy to do for XBL.
And there it is folks. Give Brady a cookie will ya :D
Now can we get some engineers to work on this?
rinichanraar
10-05-2008, 03:04 PM
Umm.. what?
I'm going to assume that comment (the one you quoted) was for Bootsy.
pheriannath
10-06-2008, 11:52 AM
As stated, it's possible, but another thing to consider is that we don't want to continue cluttering up the user information attached to each post. When we get around to gamercards and other things, we might add it to another part of the site?
As stated, it's possible, but another thing to consider is that we don't want to continue cluttering up the user information attached to each post. When we get around to gamercards and other things, we might add it to another part of the site?
You asked a question at the end there, and I'm gonna have to decline. Can't a little "L" or Xbox circle be added to where the AIM, ICQ, etc. stuff is? At a later date of course.
jeffbax
10-07-2008, 07:49 PM
I'm going to assume that comment (the one you quoted) was for Bootsy.
I don't see how...
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