Microsoft Removes Weapon Items for Xbox 360 Avatars Next Week

Microsoft is expected to enact a new policy that will remove all gun and weapon-like props from the Xbox Live Marketplace, which were designed to be showed off with Xbox 360 avatars created by all users of the console.

Since their relatively awkward introduction in 2008, avatars have become pretty popular, especially since Microsoft has offered Xbox 360 users all sorts of props designed to be used with their virtual selves, ranging from shirts and costumes to guns or party objects.

Now, it seems that weapons will no longer be available for purchase starting January 1, 2012, at least according to an announcement coming from Epic Games, the developer of the Gears of War series, which warns fans to buy the Lancer or Hammerburst avatar guns while they can before Microsoft removes them from the Xbox Live Marketplace.

This new policy won’t affect items already purchased by Xbox 360 owners, who may still be able to equip them whenever they want. Users who want to ‘weaponize’ their avatars after that date, however, won’t be able to buy such things.

Expect an official statement about this change from Microsoft soon enough.