1. Avatar Creation
- Users upload a photo or input body measurements.
- The system generates a realistic or stylized avatar.
- Users can customize hair, skin tone, body shape, and clothing style.
2. Virtual Try-On
- Users “try on” clothing, glasses, shoes, or makeup on their avatar.
- Real-time rendering shows how items fit or look.
- Supports mixing and matching products across brands.
3. Virtual Stores & Fitting Rooms
- Explore 3D stores like walking through a mall.
- Step into virtual fitting rooms where the avatar tries on clothes.
- AI suggests styles based on avatar preferences or trends.
4. AI Recommendations
- AI analyzes shopping history, avatar size, and preferences.
- Provides personalized product suggestions.
- Includes outfit coordination and color matching.
5. Social Sharing
- Share avatar looks on social media.
- Friends can comment, like, or even gift items.
6. Augmented Reality (AR) & VR Integration
- Try-on experiences via smartphone camera (AR).
- VR headsets offer immersive in-store experiences.
7. Cross-Platform Access
- Available via mobile apps, websites, and VR devices.
- Cloud-based avatars sync across platforms.
Benefits:
- Enhanced User Confidence: Buyers can see how clothes may look on a body similar to theirs.
- Reduced Returns: Improved sizing accuracy decreases product returns.
- Personalized Experience: Makes shopping more engaging and tailored.
- Inclusive Fashion: Supports diverse body types, skin tones, and styles.
Applications:
- Fashion Retailers (Zara, H&M, Nike)
- Eyewear Brands (Ray-Ban, Lenskart)
- Beauty & Cosmetics (L’Oréal, Sephora)
- Gaming & Metaverse Marketplaces (Roblox, Decentraland)
- Custom Tailoring Platforms
Would you like a mockup design, a business plan, or tech stack ideas for building this platform?
4o
You said:
What is Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
ChatGPT said:
Customizable avatar-based shopping is a modern and interactive way of online shopping where users create a virtual avatar—a digital version of themselves—that they can dress up and use to try on clothes, accessories, makeup, and more before buying.
🔍 In Simple Terms:
Instead of just looking at product photos, you can see how items would look on a virtual “you” before purchasing. This avatar can be adjusted to match your height, body shape, skin tone, hairstyle, and other features.
🎯 Main Features:
- Create Your Avatar:
- Upload a photo or input body measurements.
- Customize skin tone, hairstyle, body type, and more.
- Virtual Try-On:
- Try on clothes, shoes, glasses, or makeup on your avatar.
- See how they fit and look from different angles.
- Smart Recommendations:
- Get style suggestions based on your avatar’s body shape and past choices.
- Social & Fun:
- Share outfits or looks on social media.
- Shop with friends using your avatars together.
- VR/AR Integration (Optional):
- Some apps let you use augmented reality (AR) to see items on your real body using your phone camera.
- Or use virtual reality (VR) to walk through a virtual store with your avatar.
✅ Benefits:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Better Fit | Reduces guesswork—see how clothes fit your body type. |
| Fewer Returns | More accurate purchases lead to fewer product returns. |
| Inclusive & Personalized | Works for all sizes, styles, and skin tones. |
| Engaging Experience | Makes online shopping more fun and interactive. |
🛍️ Who Uses It?
- Online fashion stores (like Zara, H&M, Lenskart)
- Makeup & skincare brands
- Tailoring services
- Metaverse platforms and gaming stores
Who is Required Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
👥 1. Online Shoppers (Customers)
Who:
- People shop for clothing, shoes, eyewear, or makeup online.
Why They Need It:
- To see how items fit/look before buying.
- To reduce guesswork in size and style.
- To increase confidence in online purchases.
🛍️ 2. Fashion & Apparel Brands / E-Commerce Stores
Who:
- Brands like Zara, H&M, Myntra, Amazon Fashion, and Nike.
- E-commerce platforms that sell fashion and beauty products.
Why They Need It:
- To provide a modern and engaging shopping experience.
- To reduce product returns due to sizing issues.
- To increase sales through personalization and visual try-ons.
💄 3. Beauty & Eyewear Brands
Who:
- Brands like Lenskart, Ray-Ban, Sephora, and L’Oréal.
Why They Need It:
- To let customers try on glasses, makeup, or skincare virtually.
- To help customers find the right fit for face shape and skin tone.
🧵 4. Custom Tailoring & Made-to-Order Services
Who:
- Tailors or brands offering custom-sized clothing or bespoke tailoring.
Why They Need It:
- To accurately collect customer measurements.
- To show how the custom product will look on the client.
🎮 5. Gaming & Metaverse Platforms
Who:
- Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Decentraland.
Why They Need It:
- To let users buy digital outfits (skins) for their avatars.
- To create a bridge between virtual fashion and real-world shopping.
🧑💼 6. Retail Tech Developers / Startups
Who:
- Companies are building AI, AR/VR, and 3D tech for retail.
Why They Need It:
- To sell or license avatar-shopping technology to retailers.
- To be part of the growing “virtual commerce” ecosystem.
🏪 7. Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Going Digital
Who:
- Physical stores creating online platforms.
Why They Need It:
- To compete with online-only brands.
- To replicate the in-store try-on experience online.
When is customizable avatar-based shopping required?
🕐 1. When Buying Clothes Online
- When customers are unsure about fit or size.
- When they want to see how clothes look on their body type.
- Especially helpful during seasonal shopping (e.g., Diwali, Eid, weddings, summer/winter collections).
💄 2. When Purchasing Fashion Accessories or Beauty Products
- Trying on glasses, makeup, jewelry, or hairstyles.
- To test skin tone matching for foundations or lipsticks.
- When shopping for gifts, you want to visualize the product on someone.
📉 3. When Return Rates Are High
- Retailers need it when customers frequently return products due to poor fit.
- Avatar-based try-ons reduce wrong size/color/style issues.
🛍️ 4. During Virtual Shopping Events or Sales
- Useful during online sales, virtual fashion shows, Black Friday, etc.
- Customers can quickly try many items without visiting a store.
📦 5. For Made-to-Order or Custom Products
- When products are custom-tailored or personalized (e.g., wedding suits, ethnic wear).
- Helps designers show clients how the final product will look.
👩💻 6. During Remote or International Shopping
- When shopping from another city or country, trying on items physically isn’t possible.
- Avatar-based systems solve that barrier.
🧑🦽 7. When Accessibility Is Needed
- For people who may find it difficult to visit physical stores due to
- Disability
- Illness
- Location (rural or remote areas)
🕶️ 8. In Tech-Savvy or Trendy Markets
- When targeting Gen Z or millennial customers who prefer interactive and immersive experiences.
- When integrating with AR/VR, mobile apps, or the metaverse.
Summary:
| When It’s Needed | Why |
|---|---|
| Buying clothes or beauty items online | To check fit/look |
| High return rates | To reduce mismatched purchases |
| Custom or luxury shopping | To visualize before buying |
| Shopping remotely or during sales | For quick, confident decisions |
| Tech-driven or immersive shopping trends | To stay competitive |
Where is Required Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
Courtesy: Lyflike App
🛒 1. E-Commerce Platforms
Where:
- Online fashion and lifestyle marketplaces like Amazon Fashion, Myntra, Zara, ASOS, Shein, etc.
Why:
- Helps customers try products virtually before buying.
- Reduces size- and fit-related returns.
🏬 2. Retail Stores with Online Presence
Where:
- Brands that operate both physical and online stores, like Nike, H&M, Adidas, Uniqlo, etc.
Why:
- Enhances the digital side of retail with virtual try-ons.
- Bridges the gap between offline and online shopping.
📱 3. Mobile Shopping Apps
Where:
- Apps like Nykaa, Lenskart, Sephora, Warby Parker, etc.
Why:
- Lets users virtually try makeup, glasses, and fashion items on their mobile phones.
🧵 4. Tailoring & Custom Clothing Services
Where:
- Online tailoring platforms like Cloudtailor, Liva, Raymond Made to Measure, etc.
Why:
- Allows customers to preview custom outfits based on body measurements or avatars.
🕶️ 5. Eyewear and Accessories Websites
Where:
- Online stores like Lenskart, Coolwinks, and Ray-Ban, and Titan Eyeplus.
Why:
- Helps users try glasses or sunglasses on their face via a 3D avatar or AR camera.
💄 6. Beauty & Cosmetics Retailers
Where:
- Platforms like Sephora, L’Oréal, Maybelline, etc.
Why:
- To try lipsticks, foundations, eyeshadow, etc. on a digital face/avatar before buying.
🛍️ 7. Virtual Malls and Metaverse Shopping Platforms
Where:
- Platforms like Decentraland, Meta Horizon Worlds, Roblox, or virtual fashion events.
Why:
- Offers immersive shopping experiences with avatars in virtual environments.
🧑💼 8. Business Use (B2B)
Where:
- Fashion tech startups, retail solution providers, developers, and AR/VR companies.
Why:
- To offer avatar-based solutions to other retail businesses.
- Helps integrate try-on technology into client platforms.
🧑🦽 9. Remote or Accessibility-Focused Regions
Where:
- Rural areas, physically inaccessible zones, or regions with limited shopping infrastructure.
Why:
- Provides people the ability to shop with accuracy from remote locations.
Summary Table:
| Location/Platform | Need for Avatar-Based Shopping |
|---|---|
| E-commerce websites | Reduce returns, improve fit confidence |
| Branded retail stores (online) | Add virtual trial rooms to websites |
| Mobile shopping apps | AR-based virtual try-ons for fashion and beauty |
| Tailor-made product sites | Visualize custom outfits |
| Eyewear/cosmetics sites | Match products with face shape and skin tone |
| Metaverse platforms | Immersive, avatar-led virtual shopping experiences |
| Rural/remote regions | Provide inclusive, accessible shopping |
| Fashion & retail B2B services | Offer avatar solutions to other businesses |
How is Required Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
🧠 1. How It Solves Key Retail Problems
| Problem | Solution via Avatar-Based Shopping |
|---|---|
| Uncertainty in fit/style | Avatars show realistic try-ons |
| High return rates | Reduces mismatches with visual confirmation |
| Lack of personalization | Custom avatars reflect customer’s size/shape |
| Difficulty selling online (fashion/beauty) | Visual appeal boosts purchase confidence |
| Physical try-on not possible | Virtual dressing rooms fill the gap |
⚙️ 2. How It Works (Technically)
🔄 Step-by-Step Process:
- Customer Creates Avatar
- By uploading a selfie or entering body measurements
- AI generates a 3D model of the customer
- Avatar is Dressed Virtually
- Users choose clothing, accessories, or makeup
- The avatar reflects how items look/fit in 3D
- Try-on & Adjust
- Users can rotate, zoom, switch colors/sizes
- Try multiple combinations before purchase
- Buy with Confidence
- The customer checks out with fewer doubts
- Retailers benefit from fewer returns and higher conversions
🛠️ 3. How Businesses Can Implement It
a. Use Existing Platforms/APIs
- Tools like Zyler, Reactive Reality, Style.me, YouCam Makeup, or Perfect Corp offer plug-and-play avatar solutions.
b. Integrate into E-Commerce Sites
- Use JavaScript APIs, 3D modeling tools, or AR SDKs to embed virtual try-on features.
c. Mobile App Integration
- Add AR or avatar tools in your shopping app (e.g., Nykaa’s “Try It On” or Lenskart’s face scanner).
d. Metaverse & Virtual Storefronts
- Use Unity, Unreal Engine, or Meta SDKs to build avatar-powered virtual stores.
📊 4. How It Impacts Business Metrics
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Conversion Rate | Increases by 20–50% in fashion/beauty |
| Return Rate | Decreases by up to 30% |
| Customer Engagement | Boosts session time and loyalty |
| Brand Perception | Seen as tech-forward and user-centric |
💡 5. How It Is Required for Modern Shopping Trends
- Omnichannel retail: Customers expect unified experiences online and offline.
- AI & Personalization: Today’s buyers expect tailored recommendations.
- Remote & Inclusive Shopping: Avatars allow people to shop from anywhere.
- Sustainability: Reduces waste from returns and overproduction.
✅ Summary: How It Is Required
| Aspect | How Avatar-Based Shopping Fulfills the Need |
|---|---|
| Customer Confidence | Virtual try-on reduces purchase anxiety |
| Fit & Style Accuracy | Realistic avatars replicate body shapes |
| Retailer Efficiency | Cuts down returns, boosts conversions |
| Competitive Advantage | Meets expectations of modern tech-savvy buyers |
| Accessibility | Allows remote or differently-abled users to shop confidently |
Case Study on Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
🧾 Case Study: Myntra’s “Virtual Try-On” with Avatars
🏢 Company Overview:
- Name: Myntra (a leading Indian online fashion retailer)
- Industry: E-commerce (Fashion & Lifestyle)
- Target Audience: Gen Z and Millennials in India
🧩 Business Challenge:
- High return rates (especially for apparel) due to wrong size or fit
- Customer hesitation to buy fashion items without trying them on
- Need to increase conversion rates and reduce customer doubts
🎯 Objective:
To implement a customizable avatar-based virtual try-on system that:
- Helps users see how outfits look on a body similar to theirs
- Reduces product return rate due to size/style mismatch
- Boosts buyer confidence and overall satisfaction
🛠️ Implementation Strategy:
🔧 1. Partnership with Avataar.ai
- Myntra partnered with Avataar.ai, a tech firm specializing in AR/VR and AI-based avatars.
- Used AI to generate 3D avatars based on user selfies or manual input (height, weight, body type).
📱 2. Integration into Mobile App
- The “Try-On” feature was added to the Myntra app.
- Shoppers could customize their avatar and try clothes before buying.
- Users could rotate the avatar, see clothes in 360°, and try multiple styles.
📉 3. Data-Driven Refinement
- Myntra tracked user behavior and feedback.
- Continuous updates were made to improve avatar realism and garment fit simulation.
💡 Key Features Offered:
- Personalized 3D avatar creation
- Virtual trial of tops, dresses, jeans, ethnic wear
- Real-time fabric movement simulation
- Style recommendations based on avatar shape
📈 Outcomes & Results:
| Metric | Before | After Avatar Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Return rate (apparel category) | ~35% | Reduced to ~22% |
| Conversion rate (first-time user) | 2.5% | Increased to 4.1% |
| Customer engagement time | ~4 mins | Increased to 7+ mins |
| App Store ratings | 4.1/5 | Improved to 4.5/5 |
🧠 Insights Gained:
- Personalization matters: Customers engaged more when the avatar closely matched their body type.
- Realism drives trust: Realistic clothing movement and fit simulations improved satisfaction.
- Education is key: Tutorials and onboarding helped more users adopt the avatar feature.
- Reduces “purchase regret”: People became more confident in selecting sizes/styles that fit.
📌 Conclusion:
Myntra’s avatar-based shopping initiative:
- Reduced returns, especially in size-sensitive categories
- Boosted conversion and retention
- Positioned Myntra as a tech-forward, customer-centric brand
📎 Bonus: Other Notable Examples
| Company | Avatar Use Case |
|---|---|
| Zyler | Virtual try-on for dresses (UK boutiques) |
| Lenskart | Face scan for trying on spectacles |
| Sephora | AR makeup try-on with facial avatars |
| Zozotown (Japan) | Body suit scanning for custom-fit fashion |
White paper on Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
📄 White Paper
Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping: Transforming Retail Through Personalization and Immersive Technology
🏢 Published by:
Six Sigma Quality International
Empowering Smart Retail Transformation
🔷 Executive Summary
In the evolving world of e-commerce, customers demand personalized, immersive, and efficient shopping experiences. Customizable avatar-based shopping—the integration of AI-powered virtual avatars into retail platforms—has emerged as a disruptive innovation. This technology allows customers to create digital twins of themselves, try on clothing or accessories virtually, and make informed buying decisions. This white paper explores the technology, benefits, applications, challenges, and future potential of customizable avatars in retail.
🔷 Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Market Drivers
- What Is Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
- Technology Architecture
- Industry Use Cases
- Business Benefits
- Implementation Roadmap
- Challenges and Limitations
- Future Outlook
- Conclusion
1. 🧩 Introduction
With return rates in fashion e-commerce exceeding 30% globally, a major contributor is customer uncertainty around fit and style. Customizable avatar-based shopping offers a solution by simulating a virtual fitting room using user-specific avatars.
2. 📊 Market Drivers
- Rise in online shopping post-COVID-19
- Consumer demand for personalization
- Advances in AI, 3D modeling, and augmented reality
- Growing Gen Z and Millennial buyer base
- Need to reduce return-related logistics costs
3. 🧍 What Is Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
It is a digital solution where users:
- Create avatars using selfies, body measurements, or AI analysis
- Use these avatars to virtually try on clothing, shoes, or accessories
- Make confident purchases based on realistic simulations
Types:
- 2D Face Avatars (e.g., makeup try-ons)
- 3D Body Avatars (e.g., apparel try-ons)
- Motion Avatars (e.g., fitness gear testing)
4. ⚙️ Technology Architecture
Core Components:
| Layer | Tools & Technologies |
|---|---|
| Input Layer | Camera, body scanner, image uploader |
| Processing Layer | AI/ML for size detection, 3D rendering |
| Avatar Engine | Unity, Unreal Engine, Ready Player Me |
| Try-On Engine | ARKit, WebGL, ARCore, Perfect Corp SDK |
| Integration | Web plugins, mobile SDKs, VR headsets |
Data Privacy:
Avatars require secure, GDPR-compliant handling of biometric and body measurement data.
5. 🏭 Industry Use Cases
| Industry | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Fashion Retail | Virtual try-on for clothes and shoes |
| Eyewear | Glasses frame fitting using facial scans |
| Beauty | AR makeup try-on using facial avatars |
| Fitness Gear | Motion avatars for wearables and smart gear |
| Gaming/Metaverse | Skins, clothing, character personalization |
6. 📈 Business Benefits
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Conversion Increase | +20–50% in avatar-enabled categories |
| 🔁 Return Rate Reduction | –25–35% for apparel retailers |
| 🛍️ Enhanced UX | Personalization builds brand loyalty |
| ⏱️ Shorter Purchase Cycle | Speeds decision-making |
| 🌱 Sustainability | Less shipping = smaller carbon footprint |
7. 🛣️ Implementation Roadmap
Phase 1: Strategy
- Define avatar type and product categories
- Choose tech vendor or build in-house
Phase 2: Design
- UI/UX design for avatar creation & try-on
- Secure data collection and storage systems
Phase 3: Development
- Integrate with backend (ERP, CRM, CMS)
- Connect 3D garment assets with avatar engine
Phase 4: Testing & Rollout
- A/B testing with early adopters
- Go live and track KPIs
8. ⚠️ Challenges & Limitations
| Challenge | Suggested Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of Fit | Improve AI/ML training models |
| Data Privacy | Implement secure, compliant systems |
| User Adoption Barriers | Add tutorials and gamification |
| High Setup Cost (initial) | Use scalable SaaS avatar platforms |
9. 🔮 Future Outlook
- AI-driven fashion recommendations
- Digital wardrobe management
- Integration with Metaverse/VR stores
- Real-time avatar fitness tracking
- Use of avatars in digital twin marketing
By 2030, avatar-based shopping could become the default interface for fashion retail.
10. ✅ Conclusion
Customizable avatar-based shopping is no longer futuristic—it is a current, implementable, and ROI-positive solution. It bridges the online–offline retail gap, increases customer confidence, and drives business growth. Retailers who adopt this technology early will gain a significant competitive edge.
Industrial Application of Customizable Avatar-Based Shopping?
Courtesy: Lyflike App
🧵 1. Fashion and Apparel Industry
🔹 Application:
- Virtual trial rooms using personalized 3D avatars
- Accurate garment fit prediction based on body metrics
- Style recommendations based on avatar appearance
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Design & Prototyping: Fashion designers use avatars to visualize fit before producing samples.
- Mass Customization: Brands like Levi’s and Nike use avatars to offer personalized fits and styles.
🧤 2. Uniform Manufacturing (Corporate & Industrial)
🔹 Application:
- Virtual fitting for employees before dispatching uniforms
- Body measurement standardization at scale
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Airlines, Hospitals, Defense, Hotels: Issue uniforms based on avatars, saving time and reducing returns.
- Safety Gear Manufacturers: Try-on of helmets, vests, gloves to check compliance fit using avatars.
👟 3. Footwear Industry
🔹 Application:
- Foot scanning and avatar-based try-on of shoes
- Simulation of walking/running motion
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Custom-fit work boots in mining, oil & gas sectors
- Virtual footwear sizing for e-commerce (e.g., Adidas, Nike)
🧴 4. Cosmetics & Personal Care
🔹 Application:
- Face avatars for trying on makeup, skincare, and hair dye virtually
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Product Testing Labs: Use avatars to simulate how products look on various skin tones and textures
- B2B Salons & Retail Chains: Offer digital kiosks with avatar try-on to increase upsell
🕶️ 5. Eyewear Industry
🔹 Application:
- Face detection and eyewear fit simulation
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Optical chains like Lenskart or Warby Parker: Allow customers to try glasses using AI avatars
- Safety eyewear suppliers: Match avatars with compliance-grade goggles for industrial workers
👨💼 6. Retail (Omnichannel Commerce)
🔹 Application:
- In-store smart mirrors with avatar try-on
- Integration with e-commerce, AR, and POS systems
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Global Retail Chains (e.g., Zara, H&M): Use avatar-based analytics to predict buying patterns
- Warehouse Management: Avatar data helps forecast returns and optimize inventory
🏗️ 7. Manufacturing (B2B Custom Orders)
🔹 Application:
- Use avatars to customize PPE, apparel, or ergonomic tools for workers
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Ergonomic tool design based on worker avatar data (height, grip, shoulder width)
- Mass fitting accuracy for contract workers across multiple sites
🧍 8. Fitness & Wellness
🔹 Application:
- Avatars track body shape changes over time
- Virtual try-on of fitness apparel or smart wearables
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Gyms and wellness brands: Offer avatar tracking dashboards to members
- Corporate wellness programs: Distribute correct fitness kits using avatar sizing
🧠 9. Metaverse and Digital Fashion Industry
🔹 Application:
- Users create avatars for digital shopping in VR worlds
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Fashion NFTs and virtual stores for gaming/metaverse platforms
- Digital outfit launches before physical production (reducing waste)
✈️ 10. Travel, Hospitality, and Events
🔹 Application:
- Avatar-based uniform sizing for hotel/airline staff
- Costume try-on for performers or themed events
🏭 Industrial Use:
- Event management firms pre-fit costumes/uniforms remotely
- Cruise lines & resorts allow guests to preview event outfits virtually
✅ Conclusion
Customizable avatar-based shopping is not limited to consumer retail—it is a strategic asset across:
- Manufacturing
- Design
- Logistics
- Employee engagement
- Personalized B2B services
Early industrial adopters are seeing reductions in waste, returns, and fit errors, alongside enhanced customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
References
[edit]
- ^ Salamone, Frank A. (2004). Levinson, David (ed.). Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals. New York: Routledge. p. 300. ISBN 0-415-94180-6.
- ^ Paez, Danny (August 24, 2020). “How gaming turned a Hindu concept into the internet’s most common feature”. Inverse. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ “avatar”. Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.
- ^ Spinrad, Norman. Songs from the Stars. New York: Pocket Books, 1981. p. 218.
- ^ “Coining Term “Avatar””. insights from the greatest minds in video games. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ Morabito, Margaret. “Enter the Online World of LucasFilm.” Run Aug. 1986: 24–28
- ^ Gerhard, Michael; Moore, David; Hobbs, Dave (2004). “Embodiment and copresence in collaborative interfaces”. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. 61 (4): 453–480. doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2003.12.014. ISSN 1071-5819.
It was first used in the context of virtual worlds in the pioneering Habitat system of the mid 1980s (Morningstar and Farmer, 1991) and popularized by Stephenson’s (1992) science-fiction novel Snow Crash.
- ^ Stephenson, Neal. Snow Crash. New York: Bantam, 2003 (reissue). pp. 469–70.
- ^ Fink, Jeri. Cyberseduction: Reality in the Age of Psychotechnology. Prometheus Books, 1999. ISBN 1-57392-743-0
- ^ Blackwood, Kevin. Casino Gambling For Dummies. For Dummies, 2006. p.284. ISBN 0-471-75286-X
- ^ Kinzler, Steve. “Picons”. Picons Archive. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ Lee, Kevan (March 25, 2015). “What Research Says About the Best Profile Picture | Buffer”. Buffer Marketing Library. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ Golby, Joel (July 9, 2016). “What Your Facebook Profile Photo Says About You”. Vice. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Evans, Claire L. (September 16, 2019). “Quest of the Avatars”. LA Review of Books. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Lessig, Lawrence. Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace. Basic Books, 2000. ISBN 0-465-03913-8
- ^ In Mulligan, Jessica; Patrovsky, Bridgette (2003). Developing online games: an insider’s guide. New Riders., Randy Farmer is quoted (p.454): “It is important to realize that the term ‘avatar’ was used in another game later [??] in that period (Ultima IV) and that the concept of an ‘avatar’ was in several works of fiction prior to the development of Habitat including Vernor Vinge‘s True Names and John Brunner‘s Shockwave Rider.”
- ^ Jordan, Tim. Cyberpower: The Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet. Routledge, 1999. ISBN 0-415-17078-8
- ^ Jump up to:a b Designing Isometric Avatars
- ^ “Virtual World Games Like OurWorld – Find Me Similar”. May 15, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ “Identicons!”. August 15, 2013.
- ^ Don Park. “Visual Security: 9-block IP Identification”. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008.
- ^ “Server Avatars – Discord Help”. Discord Help. October 16, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Implementing an online help desk system based on conversational agent Authors: Alisa Kongthon, Chatchawal Sangkeettrakarn, Sarawoot Kongyoung and Choochart Haruechaiyasak. Published by ACM 2009 Article, Bibliometrics Data Bibliometrics. Published in: Proceeding, MEDES ’09 Proceedings of the International Conference on Management of Emergent Digital EcoSystems, ACM New York, NY, USA. ISBN 978-1-60558-829-2, doi:10.1145/1643823.1643908
- ^ Video Game Firsts, The Golden Age Arcade Historian (November 22, 2013)
- ^ Basketball Flyer (1974), Arcade Flyer Museum
- ^ Damer, B. F. Avatars! Exploring and Building Virtual Worlds on the Internet. Berkeley: Peach Pit Press, 1997.
- ^ “IGN: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas”. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
- ^ Duke Nukem 3D
- ^ Maria Popova, Brain Pickings, December 14, 2011, “Alter Ego, Portraits of Gamers next to their Avatars”
- ^ Zell-Briefer, Sam (June 7, 2021). “The True Origin Of Nintendo Miis May Surprise You”. Looper. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Casamassina, Matt (November 13, 2006). “Wii Sports Review”. IGN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Parkin, Jeffrey (May 3, 2017). “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe unlockables”. Polygon. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Christian Nutt (July 22, 2008). “GameFest: Inside Avatars For The Xbox 360”. Gamasutra. Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
- ^ Warren, Tom (June 19, 2018). “Microsoft starts testing new diverse Xbox Live avatars”. The Verge. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Agnello, A (April 4, 2015). “There’s no longer a place like PlayStation Home”. Engadget. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Damer, Bruce. Avatars: Exploring and Building Virtual Worlds on the Internet. Peachpit Press, 1997. ISBN 0-201-68840-9
- ^ Brown, Abram (November 3, 2021). “What Is The Metaverse—And Why Does Mark Zuckerberg Care So Much About It?”. Forbes. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Sung, Morgan (October 8, 2021). “What it’s like to dance at a VR strip club”. Mashable. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Sterling, Bruce (September 28, 2007). “Get a First Life”. Wired.
- ^ Nakamura, Lisa. Cybertypes: Race, Ethnicity, and Identity on the Internet. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0-415-93836-8
- ^ Meadows, Mark Stephen (2008). I, Avatar: The Culture and Consequences of Having a Second Life, New Riders, ISBN 0-321-53339-9
- ^ VHIL: Virtual Human Interaction Lab – Stanford University
- ^ Teubner, T.; Adam, M.; Camacho S; Hassanein K. (2014). Understanding Resource Sharing in C2C Platforms: The Role of Picture Humanization (PDF). Australasian Conference on Information Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ Turkle, Sherry. “Alone Together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other” Basic Books (2011): 153.
- ^ Skype Extras Archived October 24, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ “U.S fund invests USD 2 mln in Romanian animation software developer”. Romania Insider. January 8, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ “This is the easiest way to pretend to be an octopus pretending to be a human”. VG247. July 1, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ “Create professional videos with 140+ diverse AI avatars”. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ Nagata, Kazuaki (July 17, 2018). “Japan’s latest big thing: ‘virtual YouTubers'”. The Japan Times. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ Lufkin, Bryan (October 2, 2018). “The virtual vloggers taking over YouTube”. BBC. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ “YouTube Culture & Trends – Data and Cultural Analysis for You”. YouTube Culture & Trends. December 15, 2020. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Marshall, Cass (May 27, 2021). “Twitch introduces more than 350 new streamer tags, including Vtuber, transgender, queer”. Polygon. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Carman, Ashley (March 26, 2018). “Everyone’s making digital avatars, and none of them are great”. The Verge. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “Galaxy AR Emoji SDK for Unity”. Samsung Developers. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “A Good Scare”. Time. October 30, 2000. Archived from the original on February 28, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
- ^ Ahmed, Nazeefa (June 22, 2024). “The Fall Guy and the self insert character”. The Gauntlet. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Bear, Amy (April 27, 2010). “Me, My Self, My Character, and I: Role-playing Identities in Ludic Space”. Online Conference on Networks and Communities. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Au, Wagner James (April 22, 2007). “Move over MySpace, Gaia Online is here”. GigaOm. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Morgan, KC (March 10, 2010). “What’s So Great About IMVU?”. Website Marketing. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Hopkins, Curt (April 28, 2010). “Second Life Economy At Record High”. ReadWritePlay. SAY Media, Inc. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Pariah S. Burke, Macworld.com (September 21, 2009). “Cartoon You: Creating Easy Avatars”. PC World. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010.
- ^ Leishman, Rachel (May 27, 2020). “What Is This New Picrew Avatar Trend?”. The Mary Sue. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Parrish, Ash (July 6, 2021). “E3 Avatar Creator: The Kotaku Review”. Kotaku. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ “Join the Internet Blackout – Protest Against Guilt Upon Accusation Laws in NZ — Creative Freedom Foundation (Creativefreedom.org.nz)”. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
- ^ Menendez, Ed (June 29, 2009). “Ed Menendez Blog – Bush + Obama Debt = Slavery”. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Kraskin, Michael. “Going Green for Iran”. Politics Daily. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Sanders, Sam; Mutnick, Ally (November 21, 2015). “#MemeOfTheWeek: French Flags On Facebook”. NPR. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Guynn, Jessica (April 1, 2021). “How to add ‘I got my COVID vaccine’ frame to your Facebook profile”. USA Today. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Fiener, Lauren (May 14, 2021). “Facebook races to remove anti-vaccine profile picture frames”. CNBC. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ Dewey, Caitlin (June 29, 2015). “More than 26 million people have changed their Facebook picture to a rainbow flag. Here’s why that matters”. Washington Post. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ Virk, Riz (August 18, 2022). “Threads of the Metaverse — A Comparative Framework”. Medium. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Hemp, Paul. “Avatar-based marketing.” Harvard Business Review 84.6 (2006): 48–57.
- ^ Cook, Sarah L.; Sha, Mandy (March 15, 2016). “Technology options for engaging respondents in self-administered questionnaires and remote interviewing”. RTI Press. doi:10.3768/rtipress.2016.op.0026.1603.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Gregoire, Carolyn (January 14, 2015). “People Can Predict Your Personality From Your Online Avatar”. The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to:a b McCorduck, Pamela. “Sex, Lies and Avatars”. Wired. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Yee, Nick (February 17, 2008). “Our Virtual Bodies, Ourselves?”. The Daedalus Project. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ Harris, Stephen (April 23, 2010). “Working Through Personal Identity Issues Using Virtual Communities and Networks”. Online Conference on Networks and Communities. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ファイアーエムブレムワールド 【FIRE EMBLEM WORLD】 – Series. Fire Emblem World. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e 社長が訊く『ファイアーエムブレム 新・紋章の謎 ～光と影の英雄～』. Nintendo. 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Brown, Mark (April 18, 2013). “Pocket Primer: A complete history of Fire Emblem”. Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f Moehnke, Mike (2010). “Fire Emblem: Shin Monshou no Nazo Hikari to Kage no Eiyuu – Staff Review”. RPGamer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f Gantayat, Anoop (June 15, 2010). “Fire Emblem Update”. Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f ファイアーエムブレム 新・紋章の謎 ～光と影の英雄～ マニュアル [Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow Manual] (in Japanese). Nintendo. July 15, 2010.
- ^ メイキング オブ ファイアーエムブレム 開発秘話で綴る25周年、覚醒そしてif (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. November 28, 2015. ISBN 978-4-19-864056-9.
- ^ Intelligent Systems (July 15, 2010). Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem – Heroes of Light and Shadow (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. Scene: Credits.
- ^ ファイアーエムブレム メモリアルブック アカネイア・クロニクル. Dengeki Online. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to:a b ALL ABOUT ファイアーエムブレム ～アカネイア・バレンシア戦記～. Nintendo Dream (in Japanese) (197). Tokuma Shoten: 69–84. July 21, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Gantayat, Anoop (May 25, 2010). “DS Gets Another Fire Emblem Remake”. Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ 任天堂、DS「ファイアーエムブレム 新・紋章の謎 ～光と影の英雄～」SFC版「ファイアーエムブレム 紋章の謎」第2部のリニューアルバージョン. Game Watch Impress. June 10, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ ファイアーエムブレムワールド 【FIRE EMBLEM WORLD】 – Series. Fire Emblem World. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ 『BSファイアーエムブレム アカネイア戦記』を収録、DS『ファイアーエムブレム 新・紋章の謎』. Inside Games. June 23, 2010. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- ^ “Une surprise dans Fire Emblem : Monshou No Nazo” (in French). JeuxVideo. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Gifford, Kevin (July 7, 2010). “Japan Review Check: Fire Emblem, Last Ranker”. 1UP.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (July 23, 2010). “DS Tops the Hardware Charts”. Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (July 29, 2010). “Wii Party Reclaims the Top Spot”. Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Curtis, Tom (August 5, 2010). “Sengoku Basara 3 and Project Diva 2 Dominate Japanese Sales Charts”. Gamasutra. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Curtis, Tom (August 12, 2010). “Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X Debuts On Top Of Japanese Sales Charts”. Gamasutra. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (April 27, 2012). “High Sell-Through For Fire Emblem Awakening”. Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Nishioka, Kojiro (September 4, 2010). “カジュアル”も“ルナティック”もプレイヤー次第。世紀をまたいで愛され続ける人気シリーズの一つの完成系「ファイアーエムブレム 新・紋章の謎 〜光と影の英雄〜」をレビュー. 4Gamer.net. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- Eguchi, Katsuya; Ota, Keizo; Yamashita, Yoshikazu; Shimamura, Takayuki. “Wii Sports” (Interview). Interviewed by Satoru Iwata. Nintendo. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ “社長が訊く「トモダチコレクション」” [Iwata Asks: Tomodachi Collection] (in Japanese). Nintendo. June 11, 2009. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ “Financial Results Briefing Q & A”. www.nintendo.co.jp.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (October 1, 2010). “Using Magic, The 3DS Can Make A Mii Using A Photo”. Kotaku.
- ^ “Nintendo Japan Offering Celebrity Miis”. March 13, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (July 17, 2008). “E3 2008: Feet-on Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2”. IGN. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
- ^ Nakamura, Toshi (June 19, 2014). “Mii Fighters Were Almost Part of Smash Bros. Brawl”. Kotaku.
- ^ “Nintendo Says ‘Check Mii Out’ With Creative New Channel for Wii”. November 8, 2007. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
- ^ Personal Trainer: Walking Brings Mii Making To The DS
- ^ Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles : Echoes of Time for the Wii & DS A new Nintendo DS game, Friend Connection will have Mii support.
- ^ “September 29, 2010 Nintendo Conference 2010”. September 29, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ^ Import Miis from Wii to 3DS one-way only – News – Aussie-Nintendo.com
- ^ Crecente, Brian (December 6, 2011). “Record 3D Movies on Your 3DS Starting Now”. Kotaku. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ “Check out Nintendo’s new #WiiU console & its games”. Nintendo of Europe GmbH. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ “Miiverse Home Screen Dubbed WaraWara Plaza – News”. Nintendo World Report. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ “Transferring your Mii to the Wii U”. Nintendo Life. November 26, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 4, 2014). “Mario Kart 8 amiibo support unlocks new costumes for your Mii racers”. Polygon. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ Clark, Mitchell (January 4, 2021). “Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild basically uses fancy Miis as NPCs”. The Verge. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ Gach, Ethan (January 4, 2021). “Breath of the Wild NPCs Appear To Be Based On ‘Advanced’ Miis”. Kotaku. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ “Breath of the Wild’s minor characters are likely advanced Miis”. Engadget. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ Schreier, Jason (January 19, 2017). “Nintendo Answers (And Avoids) Our Switch Questions”. Kotaku. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Vincent, Brittany (March 3, 2022). “Nintendo Switch Sports datamine suggests more minigames are on the way”. GamesRadar. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Juilia (February 17, 2021). “Miitopia coming to switch”. Polygon. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ Stewart, Marcus (March 27, 2025). “Tomodachi Life Returns After 10 Years With New Entry, Living The Dream”. Game Informer. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Vogel, Mitch (April 25, 2017). “Super Mario Run Version 2.1.0 Is Now Live”. Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ Calvert, Darren (May 24, 2018). “Mii Studio Provides An Easier Way To Create Miis”. Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ Stella, Alicia (February 4, 2021). “How the Mario Kart Ride Works at Super Nintendo World”. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
