Comments on: Design flaw – unrealistic avatars http://justingibbs.com/2009/03/31/design-flaw-unrealistic-avatars/ Bringing a little drama to social games Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: justingibbs http://justingibbs.com/2009/03/31/design-flaw-unrealistic-avatars/comment-page-1/#comment-646 justingibbs Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:43:21 +0000 http://justingibbs.com/?p=1390#comment-646 Ultimately this is my informed opinion. Informed by my experience working in the virtual worlds industry and speaking with users. True some like more stylistic or creative avatars but I would caution you - I never found this to be that large of a group. I would use it as a <a href="" target="_blank">rule of thumb</a> - users prefer realistic avatars. The rule isn't suitable for every situation, one in particular would be context heavy virtual worlds. In general though it works and you should be cautious when you break it. The <a href="" target="_blank">uncanny valley</a> is certainly an issue, but like the general trend in video games - the more realistic the better. I can't really speak to the variations by country, however I would think the affection for realism would be pretty universal. I'll have to investigate further. Ultimately this is my informed opinion. Informed by my experience working in the virtual worlds industry and speaking with users. True some like more stylistic or creative avatars but I would caution you – I never found this to be that large of a group. I would use it as a rule of thumb – users prefer realistic avatars. The rule isn't suitable for every situation, one in particular would be context heavy virtual worlds. In general though it works and you should be cautious when you break it.

The uncanny valley is certainly an issue, but like the general trend in video games – the more realistic the better.

I can't really speak to the variations by country, however I would think the affection for realism would be pretty universal. I'll have to investigate further.

]]> By: justingibbs http://justingibbs.com/2009/03/31/design-flaw-unrealistic-avatars/comment-page-1/#comment-1287 justingibbs Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:43:00 +0000 http://justingibbs.com/?p=1390#comment-1287 Ultimately this is my informed opinion. Informed by my experience working in the virtual worlds industry and speaking with users. True some like more stylistic or creative avatars but I would caution you - I never found this to be that large of a group. I would use it as a <a href="" rel="nofollow">rule of thumb</a> - users prefer realistic avatars. The rule isn't suitable for every situation, one in particular would be context heavy virtual worlds. In general though it works and you should be cautious when you break it. The <a href="" rel="nofollow">uncanny valley</a> is certainly an issue, but like the general trend in video games - the more realistic the better. I can't really speak to the variations by country, however I would think the affection for realism would be pretty universal. I'll have to investigate further. Ultimately this is my informed opinion. Informed by my experience working in the virtual worlds industry and speaking with users. True some like more stylistic or creative avatars but I would caution you – I never found this to be that large of a group. I would use it as a rule of thumb – users prefer realistic avatars. The rule isn't suitable for every situation, one in particular would be context heavy virtual worlds. In general though it works and you should be cautious when you break it.

The uncanny valley is certainly an issue, but like the general trend in video games – the more realistic the better.

I can't really speak to the variations by country, however I would think the affection for realism would be pretty universal. I'll have to investigate further.

]]> By: Mark http://justingibbs.com/2009/03/31/design-flaw-unrealistic-avatars/comment-page-1/#comment-645 Mark Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:29:45 +0000 http://justingibbs.com/?p=1390#comment-645 > Users like realistic looking avatars. That's a hunch right, not a fact? Certainly some users like "realistic" avatars but not all. Also, the distribution of preferences varies by country, age, etc. There is also the problem that what we call "realistic" avatars look very ugly to many people, look uncanny to others, etc. due to technical and artistic problems. > Users like realistic looking avatars.

That's a hunch right, not a fact? Certainly some users like "realistic" avatars but not all. Also, the distribution of preferences varies by country, age, etc. There is also the problem that what we call "realistic" avatars look very ugly to many people, look uncanny to others, etc. due to technical and artistic problems.

]]> By: Mark http://justingibbs.com/2009/03/31/design-flaw-unrealistic-avatars/comment-page-1/#comment-1286 Mark Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:29:00 +0000 http://justingibbs.com/?p=1390#comment-1286 > Users like realistic looking avatars. That's a hunch right, not a fact? Certainly some users like "realistic" avatars but not all. Also, the distribution of preferences varies by country, age, etc. There is also the problem that what we call "realistic" avatars look very ugly to many people, look uncanny to others, etc. due to technical and artistic problems. > Users like realistic looking avatars.

That's a hunch right, not a fact? Certainly some users like "realistic" avatars but not all. Also, the distribution of preferences varies by country, age, etc. There is also the problem that what we call "realistic" avatars look very ugly to many people, look uncanny to others, etc. due to technical and artistic problems.

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