Earlier this year Microsoft teased an upcoming overhaul of Xbox Live's Avatars, set to release on the Xbox One later this fall. After becoming somewhat meaningless since the release of the console, these player-designed characters would be revamped in both their visual design and functionality, with a bigger focus in the OS going forward.
It now appears that the first stages of this overhaul are now underway, with a recent update to the Avatars app on select Xbox One consoles. Following a release of a redesigned Xbox dashboard earlier this week, Xbox Insiders on the Alpha Ring are now welcomed by the "Xbox Avatar Editor Beta," which will assumedly house the new Avatars going forward.
However, there's a catch – in its current state, the Xbox Avatar Editor Beta isn't actually functional in its current form. Upon opening the app you'll be greeted by a disheartening "Under construction!" message, instructing users to leave the application. For now, the app is relatively useless but its arrival indicates new Avatars might be closer than initially thought.
It should also be noted that once the update installs, the legacy Xbox Avatars app is seemingly inaccessible. While its absence will likely go unnoticed by many, you'll be locked out from editing your Avatar through the console in the meantime.
When the new Avatars finally make their appearance, these digital characters will sport a new art style, with a slew of new customization options. Among the changes are enriched emotions, diversity, and customization, which all give players more tools for self-expression. The redesign is expected to release to the public later this fall, as a part of the Xbox One's Fall Creators Update.
