In the ’90s, science fiction writer Neal Stephenson introduced the concept of the “metaverse” in Snow Crash magazine. Little did he know that this idea would evolve into what it is today. With advancements in technology, metaverses like Decentraland and The Sandbox have bridged the gap between the real and digital world, opening up numerous possibilities.
According to Statista, the metaverse industry is projected to reach a staggering $507.8 billion by 2023, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 37.73%. To fully immerse themselves in the metaverse, users must create avatars that represent them, allowing them to play games, shop, and interact with others.
So, what exactly is the metaverse and what role do avatars play? The metaverse is a digital space that connects the internet, augmented reality, virtual worlds, and blockchains, creating immersive experiences and interactions between avatars. Avatars, like humans, can interact with digital objects and other avatars, blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds.
Avatars have been around for quite some time, gaining popularity in the 1980s through video games like Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar. They allow players to fully engage in virtual worlds and experience the thrill of gaming in a realistic manner. Users can access the metaverse through virtual reality (VR) headsets, PCs, laptops, and smartphones.
There are different types of metaverse avatars to choose from, depending on user preferences. Full-body VR avatars provide a complete digital representation of a person, capturing their body movements through sensors. VR avatars, on the other hand, offer a first-person perspective of the virtual world without a visual depiction. 2D and 3D avatars range from simple, cartoon-like representations to customizable characters with realistic features. Humanoid avatars resemble their owners, creating a sense of familiarity and integration between the virtual and physical worlds.
Creating a metaverse avatar is a relatively new concept, but the process is straightforward. Users can either create an avatar within a metaverse or use an external avatar creation application. These applications can be downloaded from platforms like Google Play or the Apple Store and allow users to create personalized avatars that can be used across multiple platforms.
The creation process typically involves selecting a style for the avatar based on gender and adding an image if the user wants to resemble their face. Users can then customize various attributes such as hair color, eye size, and nose shape to create a unique avatar that reflects their preferences.
Let’s take a closer look at how to create a custom avatar in the Decentraland metaverse. Decentraland offers a dynamic 3D universe where users can explore, engage in activities, and interact with others. Creating an avatar is the first step to fully enjoy the rewards of Decentraland.
To create an avatar on Decentraland, users need to log in and input their details. The platform will either accept or reject the username based on availability. If accepted, users must input their email ID to proceed with avatar creation. Decentraland will then assign a name ID to the user’s avatar.
Next, users need to purchase Decentraland (MANA) tokens. By clicking on “Buy MANA” on the top right side of the screen, users can initiate a minting process using a smart contract. MANA tokens can be bought with fiat currency or other digital currencies.
Once the tokens are acquired, users can choose from a variety of avatars and customize their appearance, including body, face, hair, clothing, and accessories. Skin tone and shape can also be adjusted to create a personalized avatar. The avatar is now ready for use in the Decentraland metaverse for gameplay and other activities.
For users active on multiple metaverses, creating an avatar on every platform can be inconvenient and costly. To address this issue, some apps offer cross-platform avatars that can be used across different metaverses. Users can update their avatar’s appearance to suit various environments, such as changing clothes, hairstyles, or accessories.
To create a cross-platform avatar, users typically need to create an account using connected services like Google, Microsoft, or Slack. Alternatively, they can create an account using their email address. The app will then prompt them to create an avatar, which can be done by selecting from a range of pre-made avatars or using webcam or photo uploads. Advanced avatar-creation solutions even utilize artificial intelligence to generate realistic 3D avatars from selfie photos.
The future of avatars looks promising, with experts predicting a sharp rise in the popularity of the metaverse in the coming years. Immersive experiences in the metaverse are expected to be a reality by 2040. To make these experiences possible, customized and engaging avatars representing users will play a crucial role.
With evolving technologies, avatar creation has become more accessible and customizable. Ugly, legless avatars are a thing of the past, as users can now create highly personalized avatars with just a few clicks or taps. As apps continue to develop and innovative solutions emerge, avatars will become even more realistic and engaging, enhancing the virtual world experience.