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Expressive Avatars: Vitality in Virtual Worlds.
1Department of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology, University of Exeter, Byrne House, St German's Road, Exeter, EX4 4PJ UK.
Philosophy & Technology
|April 11, 2023
Summary
Human-controlled avatars in games like League of Legends offer rich expressivity, challenging claims that avatar interactions are limited. Expert players actively use and interpret avatar movements, demonstrating nuanced social understanding.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Social Psychology
- Game Studies
Background:
- Critics argue avatar interactions lack the expressivity and social understanding of physical interactions.
- Three claims question avatar expressivity: limited range, required user input, and difficult interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess the claims regarding the expressive limits of human-controlled avatars.
- To investigate the nature of expressivity and social understanding in avatar-based interactions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of observational and interview data from expert League of Legends players.
- Focus on Daniel Stern's concept of vitality to analyze avatar interactions.
Main Results:
- Participants differentiate human-controlled avatar interactions from bot interactions.
- Players perceive varied expressive styles in other avatars' movements.
- Players actively utilize and manipulate avatar expressivity during gameplay.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the notion of limited avatar expressivity.
- Avatar interactions can afford nuanced social understanding and expressivity.
- Existing claims about avatar expressive limitations may need revision.
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