I have a feeling that after 4 years of this post being in circulation, animated avatars just may be allowed to stay.

sounds like some people don't realize you can just click on the picture or avatar and it goes back to a smiley face. but of coures that means you have to click each person.

Why? Can't walk and chew gum at the same time? How do animated avatars distract you from playing? Can't concentrate on your cards? Banning animated or even non-animated avatars will not improve on that. Avatars are an extension of one's individuality. Technology allows us to express this in more than one way today and everyone should be allowed to do so to their own taste. Why did you change yours from the smiley face? Have a think...

You can click on any av and it becomes a smily face. Too bad it doesn't say that in the rules, because not many people seem to know.