Why Is Xbox Shutting Down Its Avatar Creation Feature Across Console and PC?
Starting next year, Microsoft is bringing a severe change to the Xbox Avatar app by removing the customizing feature to some extent.
- Xbox and PC players are going to face an unexpected change in January 2025.
- However, there's a trick: the Xbox Avatar feature is not entirely going away.
- However, there's trick, the Xbox Avatar feature is not entirely going away.
As the conclusion of 2024 is just around the corner, the gaming world is going through several changes to welcome the upcoming year. This year specifically, Microsoft and Xbox have gone through multiple ups and downs, including the Xbox Game Pass subscription to laying off employees. Most of these came as a surprise to gamers, and once again, Microsoft is ready to give gamers a shock with another sudden announcement.
Since the Avatar creation feature was introduced, it has been one of the most loved features that players use to customize their avatars on both PC and consoles. However, without any prior hints, Microsoft suddenly declared the removal of this feature.
What Is Avatar Creation in Xbox?
If you are a veteran gamer, you are probably aware of the Avatar Creation in Xbox. Initially, this feature was introduced when the Xbox 360 was at its peak, and, precisely speaking, this was a direct rival to Nintendo’s Mii feature. If this still doesn’t make sense, let me tell you, whether it is Avatar Creation or Mii, in both cases, players are given a wide range of choices to customize their in-game characters to make their console experience more varied and enjoyable.
While this avatar creation thing made avatars more interesting and completely different from others, some games even made them playable. For example, some AAA games like Guitar Hero 5, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD, etc., allowed players to import their personalized avatars to the game.
With this import feature, the range gets wider, and now players are permitted to make their avatars pro-skaters, rockstars, or anything they prefer. All in all, it was a loved feature that even games have started to acknowledge by providing cosmetic items to make them more unique.
Why Is Microsoft Taking Down Avatars From Consoles and PCs?
After the Xbox 360 era ended and new Xbox consoles started making their way into the gaming world, avatars lost their popularity slightly. When Xbox One came into existence, Avatars were still there, and players could customize them if they wanted, but the in-game integration was totally stopped.
However, that doesn’t mean these customizable features were neglected. Instead, as consoles enter a new generation, the customization options become more varied. Players received new body types, unisex clothing, changeable colors, customizable limbs, etc., and many other features to make these in-game avatars more attractive and completely distinguished.
Even after all these, the Avatar-creation feature lost a substantial audience after Xbox Series consoles were released. When the popularity almost touched the bottom line, Microsoft announced that it is about to shut down the Xbox Avatar Editor app on all the platforms, including PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. This rule will be applicable on January 9, 2025.
Just as we mentioned, the company has stated “low engagement with the program” as the reason behind this program’s closing reason. Therefore, starting from January 9, Xbox and PC players won’t be able to access or edit their Avatars.
Additionally, the team mentioned they will work on bringing some new experience to players, instead. Anything they have purchased for the avatars will be lost once the new rule comes into action. For anything that players have purchased, they will get a refund.
Xbox Avatars Aren’t Going Away: Clearing the Confusion
Avatar creation is fun and includes loads of creativity. Therefore, since this announcement came, one thing that players have been getting confused about is whether the Avatar feature is entirely getting removed from consoles and PC or not. Well, the simple answer is no. Microsoft has announced it will remove the Xbox Avatar Editor app, but the Xbox Original Avatars app will still be there.
If it is still not clear, the OG versions of the Avatars that were created in 2008, during the Xbox 360 era, will remain the same even after January 9, 2025, and players will be able to use them in games as they used to do.
To make it more precise, only the modern version of the avatars that were created after the customization options were modernized will be deleted in 2025. Anyway, don’t worry; any cosmetic item you have purchased for your avatar will be refunded after the rule is implemented.
We understand that you have made these avatars with a lot of effort and creativity. So, it’s indeed painful to know that they will no longer be the same. If you want to keep the memories of your beloved avatars, take a screenshot or picture and save it for the future.
