Meta Reveals Next-Generation VR Avatars
Meta is giving its VR avatars a fresh update, and gamers may find them strikingly familiar. Unveiled during the company’s Connect conference, these avatars represent Meta’s vision of how we will interact and engage in the metaverse in the future.
What’s New with Meta Avatars?
The new avatars will come with more customizable features, allowing users to create avatars that better resemble themselves. The updated creation process introduces greater options for personalisation, including AI-generated clothing and other customisation choices.
A More Inclusive Approach
These new features aim to make the avatars more inclusive. Users will have more freedom to design characters that truly feel like a digital representation of themselves, with expanded customisation options for all.
Delayed But On Its Way
Meta actually introduced these updated avatars during the Connect conference in 2022. However, the company’s focus on AI and other development projects delayed the launch.
Creative Avatar Options on the Horizon
Soon, users will be able to personalise their VR avatars in even more imaginative ways. You’ll have the ability to dress your avatar as a monster, animal, or even in futuristic armour, giving them a unique and creative appearance.
Influences from Gaming
This update bears a strong resemblance to popular video games like Fortnite, suggesting that such games may have inspired these new avatar features. There will also be themed avatars linked to special events. According to UploadVR, you’ll be able to unlock avatars such as Captain America from Brave New World or Doja Cat’s look from 2023 Paris Fashion Week by participating in experiences in Horizon Worlds.
Building Towards the Future
Meta has long aimed to create avatars that reflect humans in virtual spaces. What’s fascinating is how Meta is aligning its vision with how young users currently engage in gaming environments. Young people are already accustomed to playing as their favourite characters in video games, which is now a social norm. By the time the metaverse becomes a mainstream reality, this generation will be ready to embrace digital avatars in everyday use.
A Step Closer to the Future of VR
While Meta is also working on ultra-realistic Codec avatars, the expectation is that most users will prefer to create their own, stylised virtual characters. These updated avatars take us another step towards that future, aligning well with the evolution of character creation tools in video games.
Meta’s new VR avatars are set to be launched next week, offering users an exciting new way to engage in virtual worlds.
