Microsoft Is Creating Wheelchair Avatars for Xbox Users
If you are an Xbox user who also happens to use a wheelchair, you may have noticed something missing from your avatar.
Soon, Xbox users will be able to customize their avatars to include wheelchairs. The news was announced Sunday on Twitter by Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division. His tweet was in reply to several users suggesting Xbox be petitioned to create wheelchair avatars.
Mike Ybarra, who works for Xbox, elaborated, tweeting out a copy of the designs.
@XboxP3 @goldennike11 @SeamusBlackley Sneak peek… ???? pic.twitter.com/szoTUGR6ef
— ♏️ike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) July 5, 2016
According to a Microsoft spokesperson, “Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has confirmed that we will make available new Xbox avatars who use wheelchairs at some point in the future. We’re not revealing availability dates for new avatars at this time.”
This is a big step towards more inclusive gaming for the company, as more than 2.2 million Americans rely on a wheelchair for mobility.
h/t The Verge
Jordan Davidson is The Mighty's Managing Editor. Follow her on twitter @JA_Davids or email her at jordan@themighty.com.
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