All Blog Posts Tagged 'avatars' (9)

In my last entry, I began exploring the topic of what makes an avatar believable: I considered abstraction as a piece of the equation. The responses I received to that post encouraged me to dive deeper into the subject, and I pulled out some research I did for believable non-player characters in computer game/simulation environments that I think is applicable to…

Continue

Let’s explore further the topic of the affects of avatar behavior and appearance on both the user as well as other participants in the avatar relationship. First, I need to point out that there are two types of behavior:

1. Actions that are not related at all to the appearance
2. Actions that are constrained by appearance and that result from appearance mannerisms; i.e., those behavioral quirks that are interwoven with appearance…

Continue

There is a desire in many of us to mold characters as we see fit: in literature it is what authors do with characters, in games it is what developers do with the player characters, and so on. Bailenson and Beall (2006) observe that the activity of extending their own identities was a common practice well before the development of the computer—in fact, this extension activity has always been a fundamental way in which people express themselves. People have been using both abstract and…

Continue

When dealing with the subject of avatars, we can think of identity in at least two ways: there is the non-virtual form of identity, in which the player thinks of him or herself in the traditional sense of self. That is, "I am me." This concept of identity predates any thoughts of the modern avatar, and is not at all technology dependent. Then there is the virtual identity, perhaps most commonly thought of the identity of a player-character within a game environment (also more broadly thought…

Continue

In terms of computer games, much of my interests lie in the relationships that players have with their avatars, as I am of the belief that these relationships can be of educational benefit in a number of areas including remediation and tutoring. Some time ago I observed that players are willing to learn a great deal of information so that their avatars might succeed in virtual environments, while those same players have a much more difficult time learning material for their own success in…

Continue

In considering the “classic” definition of the term “avatar” of vessel for God on Earth, we are immediately put into the frame of mind of a one-way relationship or control, much like a puppet-master and marionette: the one pulling the strings while the other gives expression to direction received. However, in the play environment, we find that there is a more sophisticated relationship between gamer and character. When the gamer becomes immersed in the simulation environment and the…

Continue

W00t, What a weekend. Thank you for celebrating the July 4th weekend with us in CyberNet Worlds. There was a fireworks display in Tropica built by Ewasx.

Tropica fireworks

This years 4th celebration was hosted by Ewasx in Earwax world, with a great party and music. The scenery was perfect!

We tried to get a picture of everyone that came, we're sorry if we missed anyone and thank you to Ewasx with… Continue

Excellent attendance! Thank you everyone. Short notes from the meeting;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes in General

Q: what is it that interests you about CNW?

A: relaxful, 4.1, friendliness, friend ship

Q: how many read the blog?

A: CyberXZT, SparrowShadow, Judy, Wyngs, "AN Adam", CharleyO, Cosmo

Q: what would you…

Continue

The other day I asked "How many Avatars do you have?" I was also curious what these avatars are used for. The forum is still running so head over there if you want to reply too.



I looked through the replies and saw some interesting trends. For SL, the average number of avatars is between two and three per person. For IMVU it is even higher (much higher if you include the person with… Continue