Microsoft's David Gosen claims the Xbox 360's new avatars aren't copying Miis - because the Xbox ones have "arms, necks and legs". Right...

Ex Nintendo of Europe fan favourite David Gosen, who now works as "Strategic Marketing VP for Microsoft's game business in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)" has spoken out against the seemingly outrageous claims that Microsoft have nicked the idea for the Xbox 360's new avatar system from Nintendo's own successful Mii avatar system.

In his own words:

"So we've got a really active community already, and what we need to do is create an identity for those people. Personalisation isn't really new - we know people want to personalise their experience. Now, the avatars we've got are Xbox avatars, and they have arms, necks and legs, which other people's avatars maybe don't. But that's just the start point. They're appearing in the game, and what you'll see us do more and more is make sure that avatars are truly integral to everything we do."

True, avatars were by no means dreamed up by Nintendo, but what you have to understand here guys, is that Microsoft's avatars will be actually appearing in games.

Definitely no Miis here. And especially not with arms, necks or legs.

And finally, speaking on Sony's Home virtual world concept:

"Well I think what Sony does with Home is up to them, and my advice is that we shouldn't hold our breath, because that could be quite a dangerous thing to do."

Wise words indeed.