As a game "journalist," there is perhaps no story less interesting to cover than the announcement of new Xbox Live Avatar clothes.  In an industry where major game announcements and leaked info about upcoming titles are considered the biggest scoops, covering Avatar clothes is akin to being that guy on the local news with a wacky story about a local cat who can surf.  And yet, here I am, covering the least interesting story of the month.  Why?  I’m being punished, and rightly so.

First off, there’s the Avatar clothes.  Microsoft is releasing a slew of holiday-themed apparel, ranging from an 80 New Year’s hat to a 240 spinning dreidel.  Sadly, none of the items are free, including the appropriately titled “ugly holiday sweater,” meaning that the holiday spirit only goes so far in the offices of Microsoft.  There’s also a collection of Tokidoki gear, “including an assortment of trademark tees and a pair of tokidoki themed rain boots.”  I don’t know what that is, but I imagine it’s something that some people would care about.  Somewhere.  On December 24 we’ll get the “Disney Classics” Avatar collection, which will allow you to dress up your Avatar as Disney princesses and villains.  All of the apparel, along woith other December offers, are detailed below in the press release.

So why did I, a wordsmith of epic...goodness, end up covering the ass-end of the gaming world?  Because I’m a hypocrite and a sucker.  For months, I have railed against the Avatar Marketplace, mocking its imaginary merchandise and inflated prices, and laughing at people who are pulled into the allure of fake commercialism that uses real money.  Then yesterday, I spent 400 on a lightsaber.

In my defense, it is the same lightsaber that I own in Force FX form, so there’s at least some connection to the virtual weapon.  I know; that’s no excuse.  I am shamed and humbled.

But at least I have a bad-ass lightsaber!