Microsoft is looking to give its Xbox Live Avatars "higher fidelity" graphics and a bunch of new features, after six years since their initial introduction on Xbox 360. A pair of job listings reveal the plans that Microsoft has in store for Xbox Live Avatars, which have become little more than bespoke gamer pics (like my own gamertag image below) on Xbox One. "As we cross the threshold to a unified operating system and product experience across Microsoft, it is time for Xbox avatars to also advance to the next level," Microsoft says in one of the job listings. "Come with us, as we take Xbox avatars on their biggest adventure yet with higher fidelity and a bigger stage in new Xbox experiences." The second job listing reads in a similar fashion, with experienced graphics engineers required for both vacancies: "At Xbox we’re looking for a senior graphics engineer that will work with us to grow the avatar platform across all of our platforms, leveraging the power of Xbox One, the far reach of Windows, and the intimacy of touch on mobile devices. You will own the rendering tech for the Avatar engine, working to ensure Avatars are not only gorgeous, but highly performant across a wide scale of devices," it says. Whether these newly overhauled Xbox Live Avatars will retain the style of Rare's original 2008 design is unknown, but an increased visual fidelity and the addition of new features doesn't necessarily suggest that Microsoft will be looking to change the inherent look of the Avatars. We'll find out in due course. Source - X360A
