Microsoft has been promising a major upgrade to Xbox Live avatars for roughly 2 years. After months of development and testing, the software giant is getting ready to launch the new, diverse Xbox Live avatars sometime this month in a preview. Ahead of the preview launch, though, a new leaked video of the Xbox Avatar Editor showed off the new avatars in all their glory. The leaked video, mistakenly posted by a former Microsoft designer, was first spotted by members on the ResetEra forum (via The Verge).

Microsoft has previously shown off the new, diverse Xbox Live avatars in teaser videos, but this is our first look at the app that will be used to bring these new avatars to life. Microsoft’s new avatars engine is built on Unity, and the new avatars are a lot more realistic and fun than ever before. The new avatars aren’t just about a rebuilt engine — in fact, the avatars are supposed to represent every Xbox owner, and so the company is going to introduce new props and customization options for amputees, as well as other props such as bikes, guitars, and more.

A look at the #NewAvatars@JamieMoranUK @Rand_al_Thor_19 @BeastFireTimdog @Mooch1978 @JezCorden @The_CrapGamer pic.twitter.com/htVGQ1xg29

— ✖IdleSloth✖ (@IdleSloth1984) 17 April 2018

Redmond will be launching a new store for avatars and all the props and customizations that will be available with the new Avatars. The next-gen Xbox Live avatars will be available on Xbox One and Windows 10, but it’s possible the firm could be planning to bring it to Mixed Reality with its interactive social VR platform. The software giant is busy putting finishing touches on the new Avatars for the time being, though it shouldn’t be too long before they are available to Xbox Insiders, and then the general public.

Tagged with Avatars, Xbox Avatars, Xbox Live