Avatars Facing Change As Businesses Go Online
Whether you call them buddy icons or Miis, avatars have gone a long way in terms of appearance but remain functionally the same since their conception: they’re online representations of yourself. There was a time when setting your avatar was based solely on preference. If you wanted to look like a rock star you could set yourself with a Mohawk and no one would give a damn. With more businesses conducting their meetings online, avatars are undergoing a change. Is it for the better? Not if you’re into self-expression.
The virtual world allows endless options for how one can look, behave and interact with others. That’s part of its charm, but not necessarily part of its business value. Companies that plan to move some activities into the virtual world need to consider standards for employee appearance and behavior.
Since the article mentions Second Life, I wonder if we’ll ever see the presence of businesses in other virtual worlds. Are MMORPGs next?
Short URL: http://gadget.ca/pa8
