Microsoft still working on 3D emoji for Windows 11

After teasing it last year and only shipping 2D versions in Windows 11, Microsoft appears to still be working on a true 3D version for Windows. Microsoft is still working on making Windows 11's emoji look more 3D, according to a designer at the company.

Costa wrote a post on Friday about Microsoft's new direction for its emoji system, detailing the company's push towards 3D after a 2020 Hackathon. Costa responded to the person who wanted 3D emoji in Windows 11 with a smiling face. At least Microsoft is still working on bringing its original vision to life, even though we don't know when 3D emoji will appear in Windows 11.

Image: Microsoft

While Microsoft unveiled 3D emoji and promised they would be part of Windows 11, the company reverted to a 2D flat design without explanation. The flatter design works better across multiple applications. There are some technical limitations in Windows that Microsoft needs to work through before 3D emoji are a reality.

Microsoft chose to reflect human qualities like hair styles andwrinkles in its emoji, as well as how the team makes them pop in apps like Microsoft Teams, and how some of its custom designs were inspired by reality.