Ask any keen gamer why they love a good role-playing game (RPG), and they’ll most likely talk about the joy of being immersed in another world. There’s a freedom that comes with leaving the real world behind and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, or as is now possible, your face in someone else’s face.
AI-driven tools are now available, which is beneficial as the advancements allow users to create a cross-platform avatar simply by uploading a series of selfies. These avatars can then be used across a variety of games, apps, and platforms.
It Starts With a Selfie
The first thing you’ll need to do, of course, is start snapping some selfies. It seems that many of us are well-versed in this practice as it is.
Unsurprisingly, a whopping 93 million selfies are thought to be taken each day. It’s also believed that, on average, a person takes 450 selfies yearly. This is the reality of the selfie culture, at least according to ExpressVPN’s new report. With all their accumulated data, they summarise that the selfie isn’t going anywhere soon.
Suppose you’ve used one of the earlier generator programs. In that case, you’ll probably have found that you only needed to upload a couple of selfies, as these programs use simple face-wrapping technology (think more, cut-and-paste of your face) instead of actual simulation.
With more sophisticated programs now readily available, it’s more than likely that you’ll need to upload upwards of 10 selfies. You’ll also need to do some full-body selfies, so you’d best set that timer on and start practicing your most authoritative stance!
What’s The Appeal of Seeing Ourselves in The Metaverse?
Only 29% of people are willing to post selfies without editing them first, so most of us are keen to look for ways to change how we appear online. It’s no surprise that creating a more polished and honed version of oneself to let loose in the Metaverse is appealing.
However, using a selfie to create an avatar is often much more than a simple vanity project. For many people, gaming is about being part of a community and engaging in social interaction. Therefore, using a selfie makes gameplay all the more personable.
The One to Watch
If uploading your selfies to the Metaverse is something you’re interested in, then you’ve probably already heard of the company Ready Player Me; a cross-game avatar platform that will allow you to create a 3D avatar with your selfie and use it in over 2000 compatible apps and games. The company has just received US$56mn of funding to scale up and develop its tech, so they’re the ones to keep an eye on.
Is it Safe?
A study by Cyber Security Hub shows data breaches are always a risk when it comes to online gaming. Companies such as Ready Player Me must adhere to a stringent privacy policy, but that’s not to say uploading your selfies to the Metaverse is guaranteed to be risk-free.
Before uploading or posting your selfies, consider manually turning off the geotagging option in your device settings and removing any photo metadata, which will protect your privacy and prevent disclosure of your whereabouts.
Given the continued popularity of taking and sharing selfies and the huge developments in AI technology, it’s no wonder there’s such a demand for creating personal avatars. Who doesn’t want to see themselves slaying monsters or taking on the mob?
Using a selfie to create an avatar is a great way of enhancing the immersive experience of the RPG whilst offering players the joy of exploring or even redefining a whole new identity or persona, something we can’t really do whilst at the office!