Avatars on Xbox Live launched way back in 2008. Since then Microsoft has used them as a lucrative business by selling clothing and accessories for them. Users can log on to the Avatar store and buy stuff, and then their friends will see what they have purchased. You can also unlock items for your Avatar in some games. These awards include some pretty cool stuff, and it's a way of showing your friends that you accomplished something impressive.

Starting January 1st however, Avatars will be going through a little transition. Games like Gears of War have sold gun-based accessories like their famous Lancer. but on January 1st, Microsoft will no longer be offering such items. Microsoft has no problem with violent games, but the fact that Avatars are available outside of such games is enough to make them nix these items. With the Kinect, Microsoft has started putting out family-friendly games that use Avatars and gamers on these games may not want to meet Avatars toting a giant gun.

That said, gamers who purchased these items already will still be able to use them. At least they aren't taking away the items that people have already purchased with their hard-earned money. If you want one of these items, make sure to hit the Marketplace and buy them before the New Year, because after that they will be just like 2011....gone!

Source: TechSpot