Board Thread:Game Discussion/@comment-26388545-20190303183517/@comment-32545704-20190303192918

You can also change it via the Google Play Games app. I also looked into using custom avatars and you're right, it doesn't look like there is a way to do it currently.

ME7 should be ok as a gamer ID, you only need 3 characters minimum. But it is probably already taken (I thought there was only one ME7!)

I'm hoping as google streamlines the play games service they might bring back a way to add friends in game. I believe it used to be possible but currently facebook is the only option.