Ahead of the release of Sony’s Home this fall, Microsoft has leaked plans to include avatars on the XBox platform in a bid not to be left behind on the avatar express.

Joystiq picked up the image above and comments that the “information lines up nicely with details recently relayed to Joystiq by a trusted source, who tells us that a robust “avatar” (source’s term) creation service which blends the customization options of Home with the in-game functionality of Miis would comprise a substantial chunk of the 360’s fall update. With the breath of E3 hot upon our nape, we’re sure to hear something more concrete about this service in the coming month.”

So, what do these images have in common. Above – a “fully customized persona” and the following:

Spore:


Our World:

Tabula Rasa

Sure, each of these systems has avatar creation external to the ‘game environment’ and each recognizes that the investment in avatar creation is one of the key points of engagement.

As compared to, say:

And I’ve posted on this before: orientation is a sacred cow that should be killed, and the model that Spore’s using is a game changer.

P.S. I wanna be the XBox bunny.