Avatar (virtual reality)

Among people working on virtual reality and cyberspace interfaces, an avatar (sometimes AV or av) is an icon or representation of a user in a shared virtual reality. The term is sometimes used on MUDs, in computer role-playing games, and shared non-gaming universes such as Active Worlds, There, Second Life, and The Palace.

Related Topics:
Virtual reality - Icon - MUD - Role-playing game - Active Worlds - There - Second Life - The Palace

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This definition has recently been applied to online virtual communities and Internet forums in particular, as a picture that a member/user of such a community/forum has elected to display alongside his or her contributions in order to represent him or herself. Avatars have also become popular in Instant Messaging, and are sometimes referred to as Buddy icons or display pictures by Instant Messenger users.

Related Topics:
Virtual communities - Internet forum - Instant Messaging - Buddy icons

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