Creating an animated avatar is half the
fun of online gaming. It's hard to exactly mirror a user's unique
traits—hairstyle, fashion sense, body type, etc.— but Microsoft is taking a
step to serve gamers in wheelchairs.
In response to a tweet that suggested
"wheelchairs might be relatively simple and the [right thing]," Xbox
head Phil Spencer said it is "something that we've already looked
at," adding that it is "not far off."
Mike Ybarra, director of Program
Management for Xbox, confirmed the news, offering a "sneak peek" at
two characters in branded wheelchairs (pictured).
@XboxP3 @goldennike11 @SeamusBlackley
Sneak peek... ?? pic.twitter.com/szoTUGR6ef
— ??ike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) July 5, 2016
The reveal earned Microsoft a few digital
pats on the back from "proud" Xbox players who applauded the
company's "commitment to inclusion" and "100 [percent] pure
class."
Others, while excited about the prospect,
are already proposing that a second-gen avatar replace the upcoming icon with a
light titanium chair instead of the "clunky hospital kind."
Redmond introduced avatars in late 2008
as part of its New Xbox Experience; users can personalize the look of their
character by choosing clothing and facial features. The long-running Avatar
Marketplace, meanwhile, lets folks purchase additional clothing, jewelry, full
body suits, and animated props.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to
PCMag's request for comment.
In the meantime, the annual ultimate Xbox
game sale began today. It runs through Monday, July 11, with more than 250
deals on game titles and, for the first time, Windows 10 games and special
pricing for Xbox One consoles. Gamers can expect discounts of 40-60 percent;
Gold members can get an extra 10 percent off.
Xbox One and 360 players should keep an
eye out for titles like The Division's first DLC, ARK: Survival Evolved, Doom,
Dark Souls III, and Quantum Break; plus, there are promotions for several
backward-compatibility games like The Witcher 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Counter-Strike:
GO, and South Park, The Stick of Truth.
PC users can also find deals on Quantum
Break, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. Or join the
Microsoft family with a new $279 Xbox One and $50 gift card when you shop at
the company store.
Source: pcmag.com
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