Recently Meta, the parent company of some of the world’s biggest social media platforms, released their 3D Avatar feature. Although in 2019 avatars were made available, they did not catch on. Meta is hoping this new release that includes more inclusive features such as cochlear implants, hearing aids and wheelchairs will take off and play a big part in the shift to cementing their role in the creation of the metaverse. Meta made their intentions clear for the role they hope to play at their Connect 2021 event.
Despite only being available to those in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the avatars have taken off. At the recent Super Bowl LVI, those in the above countries were able to choose outfits in support of their preferred team, or the neutral outfit, and were very popular.
Various other platforms such as Snapchat, Robolox and Fortnite have also incorporated avatars, some with the ability for users to choose their avatar’s outfit. It has created another source of revenue allowing more sponsored content. In recent times a virtual Gucci bag was sold on Roblox for around $4,000 US dollars. These kinds of virtual purchases contribute massively to some of these platforms, with it believed to be on the main revenue streams for Fortnite.
Meta users can create a real-life representation of themselves online that is consistent across Meta’s platforms.
Meta users can create a real-life representation of themselves online that is consistent across Meta’s platforms. You are able to choose things such as body shape, hair color, outfit, eye shape, and so on with a multitude of inclusive options. You can then include your avatar in aspects of your social media presence such as stories, DMs.
To many the idea of the Metaverse is a hard thing to wrap your head around, however as big players like Meta begin to incorporate features like Avatars into their platforms, it allows users to slowly wrap their heads around the possibility of a VR/AR world.
