Avatars are graphic representations of people that are used in virtual worlds, social media, websites and communities. The term avatar comes from Hinduism and was originally used in gaming. Today it is used in a variety of online contexts such as internet forums, chats, social networks, blogs and websites. They can be either personal symbols in two-dimensional form or three-dimensional graphic representations, such as cartoon characters. Avatars can serve as the user's 'alter ego'.
In online games, they represent the character that the player embodies in the online world. In social media, they can be used as a profile picture to represent and personalize the user's identity. On websites and communities, they can be used as representatives of companies or organizations to create a human contact. Avatars can fulfill various functions. They can serve to increase recognition value, build trust or simply be fun. In online games, they allow players to immerse themselves in the virtual world and create their own character. In social media, they can help users identify with their profiles and interact with others. On websites and communities, they can help users feel welcome and supported.
When we hear the word "avatar", many of us might think of James Cameron's 2009 science fiction film of the same name. But in the digital world, "avatar" has a different meaning. The term is becoming particularly relevant in the burgeoning metaverse. Avatars can be created using 3D graphics and are crucial for visual representation and recognition.
Avatars can help to strengthen visual communication and corporate identity on the Internet by serving as a visual identifier and increasing recognition value. But what is an avatar in the context of the metaverse or virtual reality and why is it so important?
Personal Identity: Avatars allow users to express their identity in digital space. This can be a faithful representation of the real person or a completely new, imaginative representation. Through customization, users can reflect their personality, moods, or affiliations.
Interaction and communication: In Metaverse, people act and interact with the help of their avatars. Through gestures, facial expressions and movement, they can communicate, meet, collaborate or play games in VR.
Immersion through technology: Advanced VR technologies used in the Metaverse, such as VR glasses with motion tracking, increase the feeling of immersion and thus embodiment. Embodiment describes the feeling of experiencing the virtual body as an extension of one's own body. Users experience their avatars as if they were actually part of their physical existence.
Immerse yourself in the virtual world: A well-designed avatar can intensify immersion in the virtual world. It enables users to feel part of the digital environment, which leads to a deeper and more enriching experience.
Economic aspects: Avatars can also have commercial significance. Markets are already emerging for customized avatar designs, clothing, accessories, and other personalized content.
Social ties: Avatars can help strengthen social bonds in the metaverse. When people regularly interact together in the virtual world with their device, they recognize each other by their avatars and build relationships in VR, much like in real life.
In the metaverse, users use their avatars in two ways: as digital representations of themselves and as a means of virtual masquerade to embody characters that do not match their own appearance. This dual approach reflects the many possibilities that the metaverse offers for personal expression and identity.
Avatars as digital imagesMany users choose avatars that reflect their real-life appearance. This may stem from a desire for authenticity, the promotion of realistic social interactions or professional applications. In such cases, realistic avatars are useful as they allow non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures to be conveyed, which is important for effective communication and relationship building.
Avatars for virtual masqueradesOn the other hand, many users use avatars to slip into a completely different role. These avatars can contain imaginative, stylized or even supernatural elements that allow the user to escape from reality and explore new identities. Such avatars provide a platform for creativity and self-discovery, where users can express aspects of their personality that may not be visible in the real world.
The choice between a realistic avatar and one for the virtual masquerade often reflects users' respective goals and contexts in the metaverse. While realistic avatars might be preferred in professional or formal settings, stylized or imaginative avatars offer an opportunity for relaxation, entertainment and expression of personal creativity in a virtual world that knows fewer boundaries than physical reality.
This duality in avatar use demonstrates the breadth and depth of human interaction in the metaverse and emphasizes the importance of avatars as key elements in the virtual world that can reflect both reality and fantasy.
In virtual reality (VR), the "Uncanny Valley" phenomenon plays a significant This is a challenge, as almost realistic but imperfect avatars often cause discomfort among users. This is due to technical difficulties in accurately replicating human facial expressions, skin textures and movements, which can make the avatars appear unnatural and impair the user experience.
To get around this problem, many VR developers opt for a less realistic, often referred to as "comic book look" for their avatars and environments. This approach helps to avoid the discomfort caused by imperfect human representations in the Uncanny Valley, as stylized characters do not raise expectations of photorealistic accuracy. As a result, users react less critically to small inconsistencies.
However, this approach faces challenges in a business context. The comic style can be perceived as less serious or appropriate in professional and business environments. In scenarios where realism and accurate representation of real people are important, such as business meetings, training or customer communication, the comic look may seem inappropriate.
Another issue is the interoperability of avatars. Users want to be able to use their avatars across different platforms and applications. This requires standardization and compatibility of avatar formats and data to ensure that avatars can be seamlessly transferred between different virtual environments. A first step in this direction is the Ready PlayerPlayerMe website. ReadyPlayerMe is an online platform that allows users to create personalized 3D avatars that can be used in various virtual worlds and social VR environments, similar to a VRChat avatar. The site offers a growing range of customization options and integrates with numerous VR platforms and games, allowing users to carry and share their digital identities across different virtual realities.
However, Ready player Me avatars are currently all very similar in style and seem to have been taken from a video game like Fortnite.
Are you interested in developing a virtual reality or 360° application? You may still have questions about budget and implementation. Feel free to contact me.
I am looking forward to you
Clarence Dadson CEO Design4real
