Microsoft to Use the “Power of the Xbox One” to Evolve Xbox Avatars

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Xbox Avatars were introduced six years ago on Xbox 360, but with the introduction of the Xbox One Microsoft is looking into improve them, with better graphics and a wider ecosystem, as revealed by two career opportunity ads seeking software engineers.

Since their introduction six years ago, Xbox avatars have become the social identity for our gaming customers across Microsoft properties, making their way into Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox mobile apps, Windows, and into major and indie games. As we cross the threshold to a unified operating system and product experience across Microsoft, it is time to for Xbox avatars to also advance to the next level. Come with us, as we take Xbox avatars on their biggest adventure yet with higher fidelity and a bigger stage in new Xbox experiences. You will be part of the broader Xbox Experiences team, which owns the Xbox One Shell, and the Xbox experiences across console, desktop, slate, mobile, iOS, and Android. We are a team of innovative veterans that has played significant roles in launching Xbox, Xbox Live, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Kinect. Come join us, and our wave of monthly releases, generating delight and praise from our customers.
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.

Candidate Responsibilities:
Develop, design, modify and optimize graphic and related rendering systems for the Avatar ecosystem
Responsible for profiling as well as optimization of rendering, lighting, and shading components of the Avatar stack

Work with designers, animators, artists, and other content creators on the implementation of new features
Participate in code reviews
Maintain high quality coding and validation standards throughout the development cycle


Looks like Xbox Avatars are in for a visual overhaul not only on Xbox One, using the higher power of the platform compared to Xbox 360, but also on windows and mobile.
On top of graphics, we’re also looking at new features. While no details are given on what features Microsoft expects to implement, looks like Avatars will have a “bigger stage” in the future. They’re arguably already the best of their kind (but they don’t have much competition, as PlayStation Home is closing and Nintendo’s Mii are just… well… not very good looking) and it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll evolve.

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.dualshockers.com/2015/01/02/microsoft-to-use-the-power-of-the-xbox-one-to-evolve-xbox-avatars-with-better-graphics-and-more/

Comments

"Microsoft to Use the “Power of the Xbox One” to Evolve Xbox Avatars" :: Login/Create an Account :: 38 comments

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DPMPosted:

I remember making my first avatar on the 360, I thought it was cool so it's good to see it being improved.

MPAAPosted:

I never used the avatar on the 360 (it's still a silhouette) so I don't see the need for them.

The-ProfessorPosted:

It's nice that they wanna improve it. But I haven't made any changes to my avatar since I made my account lol

AdamuPosted:

Aww it's good they want to improve it and I think it would be cool if the kinect could take a picture of you and try make your avatar face like yours as that would be pretty cool.

HearthstonePosted:

If they are going to be doing some improvements specifically for the Xbox One, then they need to first incorporate the avatars more themselves.

MoronicPosted:

Potion I haven't seen much of avatars being used on Xbox One, hopefully they use them in more things like parties and such like on the 360.


I agree, they need to bring back avatars on the one.

-GoldCoast-Posted:

I remember back when the avatars first came out on 360. they reminded me of the nintendo wii characters you could make.

NovhPosted:

Does anyone even create an avatar anymore?

THCv3Posted:

There is no point to Avatars on One. You can't even see them.

GaryPosted:

I haven't seen much of avatars being used on Xbox One, hopefully they use them in more things like parties and such like on the 360.