Avatar

Abstract: A method and apparatus for avatar-centric communication, expression and display during a multi-user online simulation are described Various techniques are introduced to increase the richness and realism of avatar interactions, including the use of “Chat Balloons”, “Chat Props”, cinematic techniques, avatar non-verbal communication, and gaze control

Abstract: This paper investigates the effect of avatar realism on embodiment and social interactions in Virtual Reality (VR) We compared abstract avatar representations based on a wooden mannequin with high fidelity avatars generated from photogrammetry 3D scan methods Both avatar representations were alternately applied to participating users and to the virtual counterpart in dyadic social encounters to examine the impact of avatar realism on self-embodiment and social interaction quality Users were immersed in a virtual room via a head mounted display (HMD) Their full-body movements were tracked and mapped to respective movements of their avatars Embodiment was induced by presenting the users' avatars to themselves in a virtual mirror Afterwards they had to react to a non-verbal behavior of a virtual interaction partner they encountered in the virtual space Several measures were taken to analyze the effect of the appearance of the users' avatars as well as the effect of the appearance of the others' avatars on the users The realistic avatars were rated significantly more human-like when used as avatars for the others and evoked a stronger acceptance in terms of virtual body ownership (VBO) There also was some indication of a potential uncanny valley Additionally, there was an indication that the appearance of the others' avatars impacts the self-perception of the users

Abstract: A video game character or avatar is generated using images of the player so that the on-screen avatar being controlled by the player appears like the player. Answers to a questionnaire or a psychological profile are provided by the player to determine characteristics that the player views as desirable, which are used to generate a final version of the avatar. Iterations of the avatar appearance are generated from the initial appearance to the final, more desirable appearance. Using the avatar, as play of the game proceeds the player's avatar begins as a character appearing like themselves and gradually becomes a character that is more as they would like to appear. The avatar increases the emotional impact of games by providing strong visual and psychological connections with the player. The avatar may instead begin from an initial character that does not appear similar to the player. The iterations may make the avatar gradually less appealing or with other changes in appearance, in some embodiments.

Abstract: As broadband Internet access and virtual reality technology rapidly expand, virtual worlds and three-dimensional avatars will become more pervasive and widely adopted. In virtual worlds, people assume an identity as an avatar and interact with each other. The objective of this study is to theorize how users form attitudes and intentions regarding avatars in realistic, task-focused virtual world settings. To investigate these effects, this study proposes a conceptual framework based on dual-congruity perspectives (self-congruity and functional congruity). The results show that the more closely an avatar resembles its user, the more the user is likely to have positive attitudes (e.g., affection, connection, and passion) toward the avatar, and the better able to evaluate the quality and performance of apparel products. In the end, these positive attitudes toward an avatar and its usefulness positively affect users' intentions to use the avatar. Based on this study, we propose that avatars representing users' actual appearance may be helpful in experiencing and evaluating some business areas related to users' lives in the real world (e.g., virtual apparel shopping, matchmaking, plastic surgery, fitness clubs, etc.); utilization of such avatars may be a new business opportunity likely to thrive in virtual worlds.