Microsoft is axing Xbox One Avatars due to lack of interest

Are you one of the people who spent hours poring over their Xbox One Avatar? Maybe you even purchased additional cosmetic items to make them more you? We’ve got bad news. Microsoft has announced that it’s retiring Xbox One avatars, due to “lack of engagement”.

Microsoft’s Xbox Avatar programme began on the Xbox 360, allowing users to create their own characters. And, as with Nintendo’s Miis, these could also be used in some games. However, in 2017, Microsoft decided to take things to the next level with their Xbox One avatars.

These were more complex, and boasted a host of new features. For example, you could give your Avatar a prosthetic limb, a jetpack, and all sorts of accessories. But the problem is that, not enough people cared, which is why Microsoft is retiring them.

“Due to low engagement and our shift in focus towards delivering other player experiences, the Xbox Avatar Editor app will no longer be available starting on January 9, 2025,” reads this Xbox support article. As noted by Pure Xbox, original Xbox Avatars will still exist and aren’t going anywhere. But as of January 9, 2025, you’ll be unable to access your Xbox One avatar on any platform.

If you spent money on your Xbox One Avatar in the last year or so Microsoft will issue a refund. Any Avatar-related purchase you’ve made from November 1 2023, through January 9 2025, will be refunded. It’s probably the right move for Xbox. We honestly can’t say we did a lot with ours; we gave it a jetpack, X-Ray specs and a peg-leg and then… left it alone. We certainly didn’t spend any actual money on it.

So if you are still attached to your Avatar, you’ve got until January 9th to make the most of your time together.