Microsoft is sunsetting the Xbox Avatar Editor on January 9, 2025. This means the ability to customize your Xbox Avatar with new items will be discontinued. The decision, driven by low user engagement and a shift in priorities, marks the end of an era for the customizable 3D avatars.
While the editor is being retired, your current avatar won’t disappear entirely. Microsoft has confirmed that players can still use their existing avatars as gamerpics. However, further customization will no longer be possible through the dedicated editor app. Personalization options will still be available through dynamic backgrounds, profile colors on consoles, and Xbox Original Avatars, profile themes, and gamerpics on Xbox consoles and PCs.
Three Xbox avatars standing side by side. They
For those concerned about recent purchases, Microsoft is offering refunds for avatar items bought after November 1, 2023. This ensures that players who invested in customizing their avatars recently are not left out of pocket. Changes to gamerpics will need to be made through the Xbox Original Avatars app.
A Brief History of Xbox Avatars
Originally introduced in 2008 for the Xbox 360, Xbox Avatars (now called Xbox Original Avatars) were inspired by features like Nintendo’s Miis. They provided a personalized 3D representation of players within the Xbox ecosystem. Developed by Rare, the initial vision was to link avatars to user accounts, extending their presence across various games. This ubiquity, with avatars appearing on the dashboard and during console setup, contributed significantly to their early popularity.
A 2018 redesign for the Xbox One brought more inclusive customization options, such as prosthetics, expanding the possibilities for player representation. However, their prominence gradually diminished. While gamerpics remain a requirement for new accounts, alternative options became available, and avatars faded from the interface. Their presence on Xbox Series X/S consoles is almost negligible.
The Future of Xbox Avatars
The closure of the Xbox Avatar Editor signals a shift in Microsoft’s focus. While current avatars can still be used as gamerpics, the ability to actively customize them is ending. The company cites low engagement as the primary reason for the change. This suggests that the resources dedicated to avatar customization will be redirected to other projects deemed more relevant to the current Xbox user base.
The change won’t impact Xbox 360 games that incorporated avatars, such as 1 vs. 100, Doritos Crash Course, and Kinect Sports. Xbox Original Avatars will continue to function within these supported titles. This ensures that the legacy of the avatars is preserved for players who enjoyed their integration in these older games.
In conclusion, while the Xbox Avatar Editor is being retired, the existing avatars will continue to exist as gamerpics. Microsoft’s decision underscores the evolving landscape of the Xbox platform and the company’s focus on features that resonate with the current gaming community.
