When Microsoft debuted the gaming console Xbox 360 in 2008, it introduced rare-created Avatars, a personification to represent the gamers user accounts, for which you could even buy new outfits to for MS points. The avatars didn’t seem to be such a big hit for Microsoft as they were no longer featured in the new generation console, Xbox One, when it was released in 2013.

However, Microsoft has now hinted that this may be about to change.

Microsoft has posted job postings on its site, seeking a few engineers to help bring the Avatars back to life in the Xbox One platform. They will “ensure Avatars are not only gorgeous, but highly performant [sic] across a wide scale of devices.”

“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,” one of the posts says. “Come with us, as we take Xbox avatars on their biggest adventure yet in new Xbox experiences.”

It may seem hard to picture an Avatar in the Xbox One’s Windows 8 box-styled tile theme. In the older generation console, the Avatar would greet you when logging in. With the lauch of the Windows 10, an update to the On’e dashboard may not be far behind.

Microsoft’s Avatars were more popular than Nintendo’s Miis. Nintendo still continues to feature its Miis in the Wii and the Wii U. They are inserted regularly in games like Smash Bros and Mario Kart regularly. Avatars coming back shows that it was a popular trend which isn’t about to fade away soon. Users had complained that to unlock certain clothing items one had to spend Microsoft points, which should be free.

Microsoft has not commented on the job postings, nor made clear on a timetable of when to expect the Avatars. Some serious changes in the Xbox One User Interface is quite likely between the launch of Windows 10, Cortona and maybe now Avatars.

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The fifth installment of Rockstar’s hugely successful series Grand Theft Auto was released back in 2013 and went on to sell more than 30 million copies. Now that the next generation of consoles have arrived, Rockstar have decided on giving Los Santos a Hollywood makeover. A teaser trailer showcased the new improved graphics overhaul and the introduction of a first person perspective. So what else is new and is it really worth buying again?

Newer consoles mean better graphics, and in turn Rockstar have cranked up the quality. Larger textures and crisper visuals mean further draw distances and busier traffic in the city. As if being chased by cops through downtown wasn’t difficult enough, now you have more cars to avoid. More importantly, the jump in visuals doesn’t have a negative impact on the performance, with Rockstar claiming the game still flies well at 30fps. The newly introduced first person perspective is a move away from the classic third person employed since GTA III launched on the PS2 back in 2001. Before then, a top down view was the way to wreak havoc and destruction since it controversially burst on the scene in 1997.

Aside from the visual aspects, the game promises all the previous free downloadable content available for the new consoles, including extra vehicles and weapons. Rockstar have announced its plans for more downloadable content in the near future as well as more than 100 new tracks for the radio stations in-game. For those who bought the game previously, Rockstar hope to entice them back in with the ability to import saved games over, as well as access to exclusive bonus content, including extra missions.

So if you’re wondering if you should fork out again for another copy of GTA V for the PS4 or Xbox One, the answer is yes. The sheer size and scale of the game is worth playing again even on the old consoles. As for this new, refined and improved version, along with all the extra content, it plays more as a new game rather than a lazy port. Those who are anxious for an updated PC version, Rockstar have slated a January 2015 release.

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Marking a step closer in their goals to getting a complete ‘entertainment hub’, the Xbox One games console is planning to add the food to their product’s experience by way of an app with a direct line to your nearest Domino’s Pizza outlet.

The upcoming service, currently rumoured but likely to be confirmed in the near future (and a planned official release next month), will see Xbox One owners able to connect to the app and order from the well-known brand without so much as having to get up from their seat, with direct orders from the consoles set to become an option, according to The Sunday Times.

Taking advantage of the Kinect motion/voice control features, users are set to be able to trigger the service through physical gestures outlined on the app, or by saying out loud the phrase “Domino’s, feed me”. Who said society was getting lazy?

After placing the order through what will presumably be a create-a-pizza minigame, those particularly impatient for their delivery (which is sent to the nearest outlet then fulfilled as normal provided the requirements are met), will have an option to follow the progress of their pizza through on-screen tracking system letting them know what stage the process is at.

Joining a Pizza Hut app for Xbox 360 released in North America, and a movie streaming service from Domino’s in pizza-based digital entertainment collaborations, it will be the first time in which UK users can order a physical product via their console, but will the digital ordering system be able to deliver?

Microsoft have this week announced the introduction of media player service Plex to their Xbox games consoles, opening up more streaming services to the next-gen gaming devices.

To be released for the Xbox One later this week, and planned for a later date on the Xbox 360, the application is one which enables viewers to access video content such as films, on-demand TV shows, and short clips through their personal library of favorites – regardless of the website it came from.

For its Xbox One release, Plex are believed to be planning to allow users access to genre/cast-based ‘customized categories’ in browsing, and recommendations from across the streaming world based on history, service availability and general viewing habits.

Other features include ‘On Deck’, the ability for users to keep track of the shows that they are watching, with the chance to continue at the exact point they stopped or have suggested next episodes to watch.

The release will be seen as strange by many, as the Xbox console was the original hardware that first ran what many consider the best media center ever, XBMC.

For fans of the NHL, meanwhile, there is a bonus ability of being able to follow their franchise of choice by way of a personalised experience and highlights effort. For Xbox-specific developments, meanwhile, users will be able to control the app through Xbox Kinect motion sensor and voice-based controls.

Whether the more complete video experience can be seen as a sufficient expansion to Xbox’s ‘not console but entertainment hub’ plans will be discovered over time, so for now will Plex be able to make a strong start in their first home console appearance?

Microsoft’s gradual global roll-out of last year’s Xbox One games console has taken a setback in its biggest potential new market, after they announced the Chinese release of the console would not be occuring as originally planned for today.

Planned to have already come out at the time of publication, the 23 September launch date has been removed by Microsoft and pushed to an unconfirmed time at the end of 2014, as they seek to fine-tune the product before putting it out in China.

A Microsoft spokesperson speaking to Polygon said of the efforts being put in at present, and why it has caused the launch delay: “At Xbox, we pride ourselves on delivering first-rate gaming and entertainment experiences, and to allow us to deliver on that promise, we need to reschedule the launch of Xbox One. Working with our partner, BesTV, we look forward to launching in China by the end of this year.”

Despite the issues, Microsoft are regardless of delays continued yesterday with an official market launch event at the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, giving away 100 units during the reveal. Pre-order customers have also been promised that they will receive an ‘added bonus’ upon launch of the console.

Microsoft representative Yusuf Mehdi summarised: “We are excited to bring game and entertainment innovation to China. We have an ambitious vision and we’re working hard with our partners to deliver Xbox One and great games and entertainment to China.”

Having released the console in close to 30 countries this month to mixed reception (including low reported week one sales in rival Sony‘s home country of Japan), will Xbox One be able to still release to any sort of great impact in such a key market over a year after the console was first made available in America?