Microsoft Kills the Xbox Ambassadors Program

Microsoft revealed today that it will end its Xbox Ambassadors program after 13 years of community service.

“Xbox has evolved over the last decade, and with that, the needs of our global community,” the announcement post explains. “Players are finding more value in engaging with us in other ways that allow them to live our community values of making Xbox a place where everyone can have fun—including programs like Fanfest, Xbox Insider Program, and Rewards with Xbox … We believe that now is the right moment to bring the learnings and values of the Ambassador community into all of our player engagement programs.”

We’ve never written about Xbox Ambassadors here on Thurrott.com, but it is–was–a secretive program by which Microsoft selected Xbox gamers who were helpful to new Xbox users and rewarded them with gifts and digital badges they could use to show off their status to others. In other words, an MVP-like program, but for gamers.

To make up for this loss, Microsoft is “evolving” its Xbox Ambassador “Champions”–this phrase is never explained–into Xbox Community Champions, where they will hopefully “bring the Ambassador values to all players and help [Xbox] chart our path forward” while “maintaining an inclusive community of thoughtful players.” It recommends that gamers who wish to be involved join the Xbox Insider Program and Xbox Research, both of which provide ways to get feedback to the team. You can also join Rewards with Xbox, and Xbox FanFest, a community program with some perks of its own.

The Xbox Ambassadors website will go dark on October 15, Microsoft notes, so anyone with remaining codes or rewards to claim should do so immediately. There will be weekly sweepstakes so members can use up their remaining tickets balance–again, whatever that means–and all Ambassador badges will be updated with a new legacy design.

“We believe that the spirit of the Ambassador pledge represents something bigger than the program itself—and we’re committed to elevating the impact and values of the pledge throughout our global player community and are excited for the road ahead,” the announcement concludes. “Thank you for keeping the Xbox community supported, safe, and fun for everyone, and for everything you’ll continue to do to live the Xbox Community Pledge.”

You can check out the Xbox Community Pledge on the Xbox website.