A few bullets on user-created content in the digital age...
News items from across the web:
1.) An agency is looking to hire someone to "(m)anage an avatar in a virtual world on behalf of a corporate client." Desired qualifications include "Excellent experience using RPGs and virtual worlds." (Via Tony Walsh, "Advertar Wanted").
2.) A consumer digital camera offers a "slimming feature" that allows the user to "trim off pounds from your photo subjects." (Via Signal vs. Noise).
3.) The ubiquitious Sketchup (3d modeling tool for the casual user) can now be used to create 3d models for use in online chat (IMVU). (See [1.] , [2.] ).
I'm not sure what to say beyond the usual comments regarding the mingling of virtual and real identities or the trend towards user created content in virtual worlds. Sure, since the death of the avatar, I might be aging sceptical when it comes to my relationship with my avatar. But I also wonder if too much freedom to fictionalize oneself online - from the superficial (e.g. how do I look to you) to the most basic (e.g. who is managing my avatar) will somehow stunt the development of virtual worlds over the long term: is a room full of Zorros only good for a costume party?
Nate, also check out this video of Nintendo Mii avatars that you'll be able to customize and move between different games on the Wii. Well worth a watch.
"I think that when non-gamers see the very first Mii version of them on the Wii, regardless of whether they've made it or a gamer in the household has made it, they're gonna wanna pick up a Wii remote and see that character in a game."
Posted by: Jerry Paffendorf | Sep 21, 2006 at 03:29
> is a room full of Zorros only good for a costume party?
Could be good for political protests.
"No, I am Spartacus!"
Posted by: Cael | Sep 21, 2006 at 08:10
You have no idea how pissed I am that I can't make my MyYahoo avatar old. Or even mildly middle-aged. Even the facial hair choices are lame. Lame, lame, lame. Goatee. Feh. An avatar without silver hair and a full beard IS NOT A REPRESENTATION OF ME! What are these... uh... yahoos... thinking...
Posted by: Andy Havens | Sep 21, 2006 at 09:58
"No, I am Spartacus!"
V for Vendetta. =D
Posted by: Michael Chui | Sep 22, 2006 at 14:56
Ah yes. So many times have i heard, "I am exactly the same in 'real life.' This phrase is usually spoken by a runway model, corporate bigshot, or Navy Seal. Saying this is the equivalent of branding "NOOBY" on your forehead. On the other paw, how many of us, online or offline, are exactly what we appear to be? You can't run fast enough to escape yourself. But then again, the tree is very different from the photo the tree.
Posted by: Mikyo | Sep 24, 2006 at 05:29
Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I was thinking along similar lines recently. This seems to me to be a deeper topic than the number of posts here indicate others consider it to be. A shame.
Posted by: csven | Oct 01, 2006 at 14:24
HELLO, FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I THINK YOU GUYS DID A FAB JOB. ITS REALLY NICE...
BUT UNFORTUNATELY I Have A COMPLAINT,,
SOMEONE HAS BEEN TAMPERING WITH THE GAME, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME VERY BAD UPSETTING BEHAVIOUR
THE GAME SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN
FROM MY EXPERIENCES ON THIS GAME I WAS MISTREATED BADLY...CONSTANLY ASKING ME WHY ME SKIN WAS SO DARK..
THEY EVEN HAD THE GAME RIDGED UP TO WHERE NOTHING BUT WHITE FOLKS WAS STUMPING ME IN MY HEAD...THEY WOULD SUMMON ME SOMEWHERE I HAD NO IDEA WHERE I WAS IN THE GAME...THEY TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE GAME BECAUSE I DIDN'T BELONG THERE...THEY WOULD CHANGE THEIR FACES BLACK AND PUT ON A WHITE BODY...THEN TYPE IN THE WORD MONKEY....ITS BAD ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH RACIST IN THE WORLD, BUT MY GOD IN A GAME...THEIR ARE A LOT YOUNG KIDS ON THIS GAME...AND THE THINGS THEY SAY AND DO COULD TRULY DAMAGE A CHILD...I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT SOMEONE DO...BUT THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND...SOMEONE IS TAMPERING WITH THE PROJECT...AND I THINK IT NEED SOME ATTENTION
VIRTUAL LAGUNA BEACH,....AND ITS REALLY UGLY
Posted by: FREE | Nov 16, 2006 at 23:47