Virtual representations of players were all the rage last generation; Nintendo introduced Miis, Microsoft had Avatars, and even Sony had the soulless husks that wandered around PlayStation Home. Although the Xbox One all but abandoned Avatars, they're coming back in a big way with the upcoming New Xbox Experience update.
Avatars will be higher resolution and a bit more properly proportioned starting November 12, when the New Xbox Experience launches. No longer shuffled away behind layers upon layers of menus, Avatars will show up in your social feed and friends list, reacting to posts and activity. In the video above, for example, you can see an Avatar cheering in response to being added as a friend.
D'aww, he's so happy to be back!
Seen something newsworthy? Tell us!
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Sam is a former News Editor here at GamesRadar. His expert words have appeared on many of the web's well-known gaming sites, including Joystiq, Penny Arcade, Destructoid, and G4 Media, among others. Sam has a serious soft spot for MOBAs, MMOs, and emo music. Forever a farm boy, forever a '90s kid.

Lord of the Rings life sim Tales of the Shire delayed again, now coming in July: "Every detail will be just right"

Baldur's Gate 3 Lae'zel actor was "paranoid" about making the githyanki girlfriend’s voice "lower and lower" through Act 3 until she realized "it really works with her character development"