Windows 11 emojigate rages on as Microsoft flaunts 3D turtles

What you need to know

• Microsoft promised Windows users some slick new 3D emoji by "holiday season" 2021.
• Microsoft then provided them with 2D emoji, which has caused some users to lament being "robbed" of a dimension.
• Now, Microsoft is back on Twitter, showcasing 3D turtles, and it's unclear what the intention is.

A long time ago, in a galaxy not at all far away (this one), Microsoft released a gigantic blog post showcasing over 1,800 bubbly, three-dimensional emoji. Even Clippy, the prodigal son of Redmond, was included in the 3D revolution. It was a big, joyous moment for Windows 11 users, until Microsoft flipped the script and gave its users 2D emoji without a clear explanation of its actions.

There was violence in the digital streets. Windows 11 users were furious and demanded to know why they'd been denied the glorious, artisanal 3D emoji they'd been teased with only months earlier. A Microsoft employee on Twitter claimed it was all a big misunderstanding and that Windows 11 was only getting 2D emoji, but other Twitter tweeters pointed to how the Windows UK Twitter contradicted that statement. People wanted concrete, unified answers across the board, and ideally 3D emoji to go along with those answers.

And just when the public uproar was starting to die down, on November 10, 2021, Microsoft reignited the flame with a tweet of a 3D turtle:

One tweeter took Microsoft to task for the turtle post, saying "why are you still promoting the 3D emojis when the ones in Windows 11 will be flat?"

Confusion abounds. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment on the matter. Hopefully there is clarity on the subject soon, in addition to some sweet, sweet 3D emoji. Until then, emojigate rages on.