2.  An online community, often a computer
based/ digitally simulated environment.
 Users can inhabit and interact with each other,
mainly in a 3d Virtual Environment.
 MMOGs all have a virtual world, with real
world mechanisms such as real-time,
communication, gravity.
 In MMOGs Players will have to create their
own unique characters, called avatars

3.  Representation of a person or his/her alter ego
in an virtual world or cyberspace.
 Coined by Neal Stephenson from the Sanskrit
word avatara ,a concept similar to incarnation.
 Comes in many forms:
1. 3d Models
2. 2d Icons
3. Even Usernames and Text (E.g. MUD) are
considered

4.  Forums - user upload an avatar image to
indicate that it is him/her
 Internet chat - web chat software allow users to
have avatar (KeepTalking, Cybertown)
 Instant-messaging Programs (Display Pictures,
Animated Avatars)
 Blogs
 Video Games - Most famous example. Players
will have to create a Character/Avatar of some
sort to play the game.

5.  Represents the user uniquely and serves as "first
impression” in cyberspace.
 It is a face and a mirror to your personality.
 Allows people to express their identity VISUALLY,
rather than just through written words.
 You can be anything you want
 Whole new realm for self-expression and social
interactions
 Other people can recognize them - humans are
wired to recognize and remember faces
 In games, allows a player to form bonds and
connections with his/her player character

6.  Humanoid Avatars
 Look like human beings, basically players recreate themselves
in the virtual world.
 Many games/virtual environments allow for a multitude of
cuztomizations, from eyes, body figure, shape of jaw, nose
bridge, everything.
 Animal Avatars
 Animals symbolize certain traits/attributes in myths as well as
popular culture (e.g. loyalty, strength, cunning)
 Cartoon Avatars
 Some players use Cartoons because they resemble them/
source of inspiration/ or just plainly because they like them
 Cartoony ambience fosters playful regression among users.

7.  Celebrity Avatars
 People use them to express personality traits or social
issues that are associated with the celebrity's image
(sensuality, intelligence, power, corruption, rebellion,
etc.). The user may identify with, desire, or be poking fun
at these attributes
 Evil Avatars
 Everyone has a dark or "evil" side to his or her
personality.
 Something to do with malicious, aggressive fantasies
and/or feelings of guilt.
 Sometimes to put off other people.
 Maybe because one can't do this in the real world.

8.  Second Life
 Free 3D virtual world where users can socialize,
connect and create using free voice and text chat by
Linden Lab.
 Every expect of the resident is totally customizable
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWEqit-3e3I

9.  Second Life
 Through 2006 and 2007, Eva and Franco Mattes (who
are also known as 0100101110101101.ORG) created
portraits of avatars from Second Life. Few of their
exhibitions:
 Thirteen Most Beautiful Avatars
 LOL

10.  World of Warcraft
 Everquest

11.  All Points Bulletin
 Upcoming 2010 PC Game offering very good
character customizations
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jOY2t2aHB0

12.  Aion
 MMORPG by NCSoft featuring superb customization
of avatars
 E.G. A Player Created Michael Jackson

13.  Xbox 360
 Wii

14.  http://www.massively.com/2008/02/08/under-the-hood-
character-customization/
 http://hivelogic.com/articles/why-your-avatar-matters
 http://www.pandemiclabs.com/blog/social-
media/importance-of-avatars/
 http://www.enotalone.com/article/2460.html
 http://www.0100101110101101.org/home/portraits/interv
iew.html
 http://www.aionsource.com/forum/images-art-video-
sound/76683-celebrity-look-alike-characters.html
 http://mashable.com/2007/09/12/avatars/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_%28computing%29
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_world