Microsoft is looking to overhaul Xbox Avatars, with two job postings revealing a desire to upgrade and evolve the customizable characters.
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As reported by DualShockers, the listings for two different software engineers describe a job using the power of the Xbox One to graphically improve and otherwise enhance the functionality of Xbox Avatars. The characters (which you can use to represent your profile, clothe in different outfits, and use in certain games) were first introduced on Xbox 360 six years ago. Here's a look at the description:
"Since their introduction, 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."
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"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."
The first job posting requires three more years of experience and a stronger knowledge of DirectX HLSL (High Level Shading Language). Other than that the listings are identical, and want the potential employees to "develop, design, modify and optimize graphic and related rendering systems for the Avatar ecosystem" and work with artists to implement new features. It's impossible to say just from these listings what the next iteration of Avatars will be able to do (and what they'll look like), but changes are certainly ahead.
