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Xbox Avatar Update Includes Option For Wheelchairs
The Xbox avatar lets users create a custom appearance on their dashboard that will be visible to friends and other players as a representation of their Xbox Live activity. However, there has been no way to have the avatar character appear in a wheelchair, but it looks like the option will soon be available.
One fan reached out on Twitter last week to inquire if wheelchairs would ever be a possibility for avatar customization. After others chimed in, and considered launching a petition, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer hopped in the conversation to say a petition would be unnecessary, as wheelchairs were already being looked into. Late Monday night, Mike Ybarra, Director of Program Management for Xbox, shared an image of both male and female avatars using wheelchairs.
@SeamusBlackley Have you considered creating a petition? It's something is definitely promote on my website/ something people would get with
— Benjamin Wareing (@goldennike11) July 3, 2016
@XboxP3 @goldennike11 @SeamusBlackley Sneak peek... pic.twitter.com/szoTUGR6ef
— ♏️ike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) July 5, 2016
This image also gave us our first look at the new models used for Xbox avatars. They have more detailed facial features, and look almost like dolls. There is no official word on when we can expect these new avatars to be implemented, but a significant Xbox One update is scheduled for this summer.
Our Take
Though the avatar feature isn't exactly used all the time on Xbox One, it's nice to see that inclusion is something the Xbox team takes seriously. These changes were likely already being worked on before the question was brought up, since the images were released fairly quickly.
We still don't have a release date for the Xbox One's next update, though features have rolled out in the preview program. Hopefully these new avatar models are included.
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