What role do avatars play in the Metaverse?

The representation of human beings and objects in the metaverse is based on avatars. Avatars are not only the visual representation of ourselves, they are the embodiment of our digital identity. It is this fact, i.e. the creation and personalization of avatars, that allows people who frequent the metaverse to create a unique representational link that perfectly reflects their physical appearance, their style and, to a large extent, their personality. This fact makes users feel a very close connection between the user and their avatar, as well as emphasizing the experience to be had in the metaverse.

It is also important to note that inclusive representation is another important aspect of personalization. Allowing consumers of all ages, genders, races and abilities to create avatars that look like them helps to create a virtual environment where everyone feels very welcome and valued. This inclusion can have an appropriate and positive impact on both their emotions and self-esteem, particularly for socially excluded groups who have historically been discriminated against in the media and on digital platforms.

Within this article it would be very important to mention the impact on identity and self-expression. While it is true, avatars are a unique representation of self-expression. Through this, users can experiment with a wide range of styles, genders and appearances without the restrictions of the real world. This freedom of expression fosters a greater sense of authenticity and self-acceptance by allowing people to explore aspects of their identity that they may not feel comfortable showing in real life.

This parallel world reaches such a level of representation that avatars can also serve as an extensible part of users' personalities, allowing them to share their interests, skills and beliefs in creative ways. For example, a physical person, a gamer who likes fashion can create an avatar with the clothes and style they like best, while another person who enjoys video games can represent themselves as their favorite gamer. All of this can strengthen social connections in the metaverse and can increase shared interests, as well as increase trust and self-esteem among users.

Avatar design and technology has clearly evolved in recent years thanks to virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence. These include: the creation of hyper-realistic avatars; the creation of avatars that can be customized in real time; natural and emotional interaction, i.e. facial recognition and movement tracking that have made them exact replicas of physical persons; the creation of interoperable avatars, i.e. as games and the metaverse expands, there is the ability to use and make the same avatar appear in different scenarios and this means that physical users can maintain a concrete identity in different experiences and applications in the metaverse; finally, as mentioned before, avatars often wear clothes that are collaborations with brands and this opens up new commercial opportunities within the metaverse. 

In conclusion, the role of avatars in the metaverse is crucial as it allows for an inclusive representation that has a great impact on the identity and the way users conceive themselves.  Thus, the new trend in design and technology of avatar creation and representation promises a future where these digital beings will be more realistic, more interactive and more versatile, enhancing the whole metaverse experience for all users.

Malena Lloret López