It appears Microsoft is working on something new for the Xbox called “Avatar Famestar” according to a recent trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
On February 13, 2012, filed to trademark “Avatar Famestar”.
The goods and services covered in the trademark filing (Serial Number: 85541451) cover “Downloadable software for video game services” and “Providing an online portal for video game services and social networking”.
As of today, Microsoft has made no announcement as to its plans for “Avatar Famestar”.
Last year, Microsoft released Avatar Kinect, which lets your personalized avatar interact with or hang out with up to seven other friends in 24 virtual stages ranging from a late-night talk show set to outer space to a sports tailgate party.
[Update 1 on Feb. 18, 2012 5:41am: A resident of China is cybersquatting on the domain name AvatarFamestar.com. The name was registered shortly after this story went online.]
Discussion: Joystiq