Mike Ybarra: New Xbox Avatars delayed until 2018

At E3 2017 the company even said that they would launch in Fall 2017. Not only would the new Avatars feature a completely new look, but they would also be more customizable for individuals with disabilities. Since then we haven't heard much about a concrete release date or other updates on their progress.

Unfortunately, according to Corporate Vice President of Xbox and Windows Gaming Mika Ybarra, the feature should launch in 2018. This is definitely disheartening news but it's understandable given the fact that they're revamping a lot of content. However, many gamers will be upset about this because this is the latest delay in a long list of them which include games like Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, and State of Decay 2.

The old Xbox Avatars have been around for years and they don't cater to everyone. A revamp was long overdue and it's surprising that it didn't happen sooner. One of the major exclusions numerous gamers continuously asked Microsoft to implement was the ability to add wheelchairs and prosthetics to their characters.

If you use a wheelchair or any other prosthetic, these new Avatars include ways you can tailor them to fit your needs. It's unclear why they weren't included in the first place as it's a rather significant oversight. Organizations like Special Effect increasing their collaboration with gaming companies like Microsoft may have led to this change. Here's hoping we won't have to wait too long for the new Avatars to drop next year.

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