Xbox Avatarsareavatarsand characters that represent users of theXbox network(formerly known as Xbox Live) on theXbox 360,Xbox One,andXbox Series X and Series Svideo game consoles,Windows 10,andWindows 10 Mobile.[1]Avatars originally debuted on the Xbox 360 as part of the "New Xbox Experience"system updatereleased on November 19, 2008, updated on Xbox One with "New Xbox One Experience"Xbox One System Softwareon November 12, 2015,[2]and reimagined with the release of the next generation character for Xbox One on October 11, 2018.[3]
The "Next generation" Avatar
edit| Developer(s) | Microsoft Corporation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 11 October 2018 | ||
| Final release(s) | |||
| |||
| Platform | |||
| Type | Avatar | ||
On June 13, 2017, duringE3 2017,Microsoft announced a complete overhaul of the Avatars, providing a much greater emphasis of customization and inclusiveness, especially by adding limb customization, clothing that supported all characters – as the old system had different clothing for male and female body types – and support for changing asset color at runtime. Other customization includes cloth and hair that are impacted by physics, fourteen different body types with 20 height options, and Moods and Props that are never "put away" when displaying an Avatar. The new Avatar system was delayed originally slated to release in the Fall 2017 but continued to be active in development through 2018. On June 18, 2018, the Xbox Avatar Editor beta – leveraging theUnityengine – arrived to Xbox Insiders,[5]then on August 8, Microsoft released a Q&A on some of the ways how the new Avatars will be displayed on the Xbox One Dashboard,[6]and as of August 16, the new Avatar Xbox Editor beta arrived for Windows 10 testers.[7]and were officially released for all Xbox Live users on October 11, 2018.[3]
For users that have content from their Xbox 360 account, while the new character cannot support the past generation's assets, abackward compatibilitymode is available for customers that want to use their existing content. By selecting "Xbox Original Avatar" from the main menu of the Editor, customers can import their entire Xbox 360-era character and use that to represent themselves across the Xbox One Dashboard. Users can continue to leverage their entire Xbox Original Avatar closet using the original app and importing their changes using the Editor, when they want to share a change.
As of the 1811 release, the Xbox Avatar Editor's built-in Closet includes 566 items enabling 142.67 x 10^33 different characters for customers creating an Avatar, which does not take color changing options into account. There is also an Xbox Avatar Store that allows customers to browse and try on new items as they are released to the public.[8]
On November 22, 2024, Microsoft announced that the "Next generation" Avatar Editor would be discontinued on January 9th, 2025 due to "low engagement with the program." Avatar purchases made between November 1, 2023 to January 9, 2025 will be automatically refunded. The Xbox Original Avatar Editor will not be affected and will remain available, although the Original Avatar Store was previously shut down in July 2024.[9][10]
History of Xbox Original Avatar
edit| Developer(s) | Microsoft Corporation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial release |
| ||
| Final release(s) | |||
| |||
| Platform | |||
| Type | Avatar | ||
Xbox 360 users are able to customize body shape, sex, facial features, hair style, clothing, and "props".[12]They can then display a2Dpicture of their Avatar on theirGamercard(although they are still free to use their previous picture should they so choose).[13]
Xbox Live GM Ben Kilgore stated in 2008 that Avatars will only be available for games that have anE10+rating or lower only (featuring content that is considered suitable for children under 10 years of age).[14]This may change sometime in the future, though presumably in Microsoft's own games if it ever happens, to monitor their usage in mature games. It was announced at Game Developers Conference on March 24, 2009, that the XNA framework 3.1 would have an API to support Avatars in indie games. With the release ofWindows 10and theNew Xbox One Experience,the rendering of the Avatars has been changed to offer a higher quality of rendering across different devices.[15]
Users can edit their current avatar using the Xbox Original Avatars application on anXbox console,Windows 10orWindows 10 Mobiledevice[16]or by using theMicrosoft Silverlightbased editor on Xbox. Across all of these experiences, users will have access to their entireclosetof items that they've purchased or have been awarded throughout theXboxecosystem.
List of Xbox 360 games using Xbox Original Avatars
editThis is a list of games on theXbox 360video game console (both retail andXbox Live Arcadegames) that use Avatars. Some games (marked with an asterisk) get updated to support Avatars when the user updates to theNew Xbox Experiencedashboard. The player must be signed intoXbox Liveto receive the game update for those games.[17]There are noXbox Onegames that support Avatars, although some Xbox 360 games that did support them were madebackwards compatible for the Xbox One.
– This color indicates that the game is no longer available for download.
– This color indicates Xbox 360 games that are compatible with Xbox One.
Xbox Original Avatar Store
editThe Avatar Store was launched as "Avatar Marketplace" on August 11, 2009, allowing users to buy clothes and props using theirXbox Liveaccount.[21]Users are able to buy branded clothing, such asAdidas,for their Avatar, as well as game-related clothing, such as costumes fromMonkey Island,BioShock 2,Battleblock Theater,Fable 2,Gears of War 2,Halo,Splinter Cell ConvictionandStar Wars: The Clone Wars.A player can also update their Avatar's wardrobe by achieving certain goals and unlocking different clothing. New clothes and items are added to the Avatar Marketplace every Thursday.
As of late June 2009, various themed clothing articles were spotted in use by various members of theXbox 360community – namely those who work forMicrosoft.These articles in question were based mainly aroundHalo,various T-shirts, shorts, hats and even full-body suit costumes were seen not only being worn by current Avatars but also in Avatar Store demonstration pictures and videos. The people who had access to these also were spotted to have a mysterious achievement in their profile named 'Xbox 360 Beta' and was orange in color with a Beta symbol and the number 09 – it was concluded that they were actually beta testing the new Avatar Marketplace.[22]Most recently, Xbox users that were a part of the Xbox Preview Program were given a special prop featuring a cat dressed like aninjaand riding aT-Rexfor use with their Xbox Avatar.[23]
In addition to clothing, the Avatar Store also has animated props available for purchase. Avatars can interact with these props, which include a remote control vibrating Warthogs from Halo, Lightsabers from Star Wars, footballs, skateboards, pets, and even pom-poms. According toMajor Nelson(Director of Programming for the Microsoft gaming network Xbox Live), those who attended theElectronic Entertainment Expoin 2009 were eligible for a special E3 Trophy prop when the Avatar Marketplace actually hits – however to be in with a chance you had to have visited a special stand that was present at the conference. Most recently, Xbox users that participated in the Xbox One Preview Program were given a specially created prop that showcased a cat dressed as a ninja riding a T-Rex that they could equip to their Xbox Avatar.[23]
Starting with the1511 release of Windows 10andNew Xbox One Experiencethe Avatar Store has returned to the Xbox Avatars application, allow users to browse new clothing and props in real time.[24]Purchases made from the latest version of the Avatar Store will work on everyXboxexperience includingXbox 360.
In August 2023, Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 Marketplace will be shutting down on July 29, 2024, which will also close the Xbox Original Avatar Store.[10]Attempting to access the Xbox Avatar store on the Xbox Original Avatar app onXbox One,Xbox Series X|S,orWindows 10and11after the shutdown will fail and give a error.[25]
Xbox Original Avatar Awards (Xbox 360)
editSome games allow players to unlock clothing for their avatars by meeting certain conditions such as unlocking the required achievement. Games that currently award Avatar Awards are listed below. This feature is discontinued from Xbox One since the avatars on Xbox One does not support Avatar Awards anymore as of June 1, 2016.
- A World of Keflings
- After Burner Climax
- Alan Wake
- Alien Breed 2
- Alien Breed 3
- Ancients of Ooga
- Aqua
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Bloodforge
- Blur
- Battleblock Theater
- Cars 2: The Video Game
- Castle Crashers
- Comic Jumper[a]
- Costume Quest
- Crackdown 2
- Crazy Taxi
- Dance Central 2
- Dance Paradise
- Darwinia+
- Dead to Rights: Retribution
- Deadliest Warrior: The Game
- Deadlight
- DeathSpank
- DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue
- Deca Sports Freedom
- Destination: Arcade
- DiRT 3
- Doom II
- Doritos Crash Course
- Doritos Crash Course 2
- Dragon's Lair
- Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project
- Dust: An Elysian Tail
- Earthworm Jim HD
- Fable 3
- Fable Anniversary
- Fable: The Journey
- Fire Pro Wrestling
- Forza Motorsport 4
- Fruit Ninja Kinect
- Full House Poker
- Gears of War 3
- Guardian Heroes
- Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
- The Gunstringer
- Halo 4
- Halo: Reach[b]
- Halo Waypoint[a][c]
- Hybrid
- Hydro Thunder Hurricane
- Hydrophobia
- ilomilo
- Jet Set Radio
- Joy Ride Turbo
- Karaoke
- Kinect Adventures
- Kinect Joy Ride
- Kinect Sports
- Kinect Sports: Season Two
- Kinectimals
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
- Lazy Raiders
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Limbo
- Lips I Love the 80's
- Lips Party Classics
- Lips Number One Hits
- LocoCycle
- Magic: The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers
- Mars Rover Landing
- Mass Effect 3
- Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
- Mindjack
- MLB 2K10
- Monday Night Combat
- Motocross Madness
- Ms. Splosion Man
- MX vs. ATV Alive
- Perfect Dark
- Pinball FX 2
- Poker Night 2
- Portal 2
- Prototype 2
- Radiant Silvergun
- Raskulls
- Red Dead Redemption
- Renegade Ops
- Rise of Nightmares
- Risk Factions
- Rock Band 3
- Saints Row: The Third
- Saints Row IV
- Scrap Metal
- Sega Bass Fishing
- Sega Rally Online Arcade
- Snoopy Flying Ace
- Sonic Adventure
- Sonic Adventure 2
- Sonic Free Riders
- Sonic Generations
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II
- South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!
- Space Channel 5 Part 2
- Splosion Man
- Star Raiders
- The Splatters
- Super Meat Boy
- Swarm
- Toy Soldiers
- Toy Soldiers: Cold War
- Trials Evolution
- UFC Trainer
- Unbound Saga
- Warlords
- World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition
- Wreckateer
- Xbox Live Labs
- Yar's Revenge
- You Don't Know Jack
- ^abThe game has avatar awards in a game which looks different depending on the avatar's gender. e.g. The Recon helmet avatar award fromHalo Waypointis in two different color schemes (Red for males and Dare's [fromHalo 3: ODST] white Recon Helmet for females.)
- ^The game has achievements which can be used in another game to unlock avatar awards from there (e.g. a number of the achievements inHalo 3,ODSTandReachcan be used inHalo Waypointto unlock avatar awards)
- ^The game has avatar awards which are linked to certain achievements in another game. (e.g. All the awards inHalo Waypointneeds certain achievements unlocked inHalo: Reach,except for theHalo: ReachBeta shirt which is no longer obtainable.)
Technical details of Xbox Original Avatars
editAvatars are a collection of data, less than 1kB,[26]describing character details such as clothing and facial features, propagated to Xbox. These avatars can be as personalized as the player wants them to be, detailing all the way down to the size. However, players can also create an avatar that does not represent them at all. Like aroaming user profilethe Avatar will follow the player wherever he or she logs on. This makes the avatar the actual player in the virtual world.
TheXbox 360 System Softwareincludes arendererandanimationsystem that creates Avatars as they are seen in Microsoft's own titles. It is also possible for developers to use the data and process it with their own software, allowing Avatars to be easily integrated with a game'sengine.
Developers are able to use the data to create random Avatars to populate their game, or to create specific Avatars for specific roles.
Avatar bodies are animated usingskeletal animation,whereas Avatar faces are animated by changing the eye and mouthtextures.[13]
Microsoft has posted a comprehensive look at the technical details behind the Xbox Live Avatar system on their engineering blog.[27]
Avatar images are available for use onInternet forums,social network services,as anemail signature,or on ablog.They can be accessed by using the following user-specificURLs(replacingGAMERTAGwith theXbox Live Gamertag):[28]
- Full Avatar:
http://avatar.xboxlive /avatar/GAMERTAG/avatar-body.png - Posing Full Avatar:
http://avatar.xboxlive /avatar/GAMERTAG/avatarpic-xl.png1080x1080 - Largeicon/gamer picture:
http://avatar.xboxlive /avatar/GAMERTAG/avatarpic-l.png - Small icon/gamer picture:
http://avatar.xboxlive /avatar/GAMERTAG/avatarpic-s.png
See also
editReferences
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- ^"Your New Xbox One Experience Begins Today".12 November 2015.
- ^ab"October 2018 Xbox Update Rolling Out Today".MajorNelson.October 11, 2018.RetrievedOctober 11,2018.
- ^"Xbox Avatar Editor".Microsoft Apps.Retrieved2024-11-24.
- ^"New Avatar Editor Debuts to Xbox Insiders".18 June 2018.
- ^"Avatars on the Xbox One Dashboard: Q&A".8 August 2018.
- ^"Microsoft's new Xbox avatars now available for Windows 10 testers".16 August 2018.
- ^"Search Microsoft Store".Xbox.November 19, 2018.RetrievedNovember 19,2018.
- ^Gilbert, Fraser (November 22, 2024)."Xbox Is Making Big Changes To Avatars In January 2025".Pure Xbox.Archivedfrom the original on November 24, 2024.RetrievedNovember 24,2024.
- ^ab"Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace FAQ".Xbox Support.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2023.RetrievedNovember 28,2023.
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- ^abChristian Nutt (2008-07-22)."GameFest: Inside Avatars For The Xbox 360".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on 26 July 2008.Retrieved2008-07-23.
- ^360 Avatars can only be used in non-violent titles | Game Development | News by DevelopArchivedAugust 21, 2008, at theWayback Machine
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- ^Source: Windows Store
- ^XBLA Insiders (2008-11-18)."Gamerscore Blog: XBLA Avatar Update".gamerscoreblog.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-20.Retrieved2008-11-18.
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- ^abcdef"DigtialDNA Games".digitaldnagames.Retrieved2022-10-31.
- ^Justin McElroy (2008-10-28)."Microsoft to open 'Avatar Store' next year".Joystiq. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-31.Retrieved2008-11-02.
- ^"Avatar Marketplace Catalogue".Xbox Resource. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-09-29.Retrieved2010-11-06.
- ^ab"Xbox Preview Program members get ninja cat Avatar item for testing NXOE".19 November 2015.
- ^"Updates Rolling Out This Month: See Who's in a Party, Gamerscore Leaderboard, and More".18 February 2016.
- ^"Create or update an Xbox Avatar".Xbox Support.RetrievedNovember 24,2024.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^"Xbox LIVE Avatar Technology".Microsoft.2010-04-08. Archived fromthe originalon 11 April 2010.Retrieved2010-04-08.
- ^"Xbox | Engineering Blog - Xbox Engineering Blog: Avatar Technology".xbox.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-04-11.
- ^"Xbox | Avatars – Xbox LIVE Avatars".Xbox.Archivedfrom the original on 1 December 2008.Retrieved2008-11-20.