Supporting photorealism in Second Life
I mentioned in the post directly below that my goal is to obtain a custom-made, photorealistic skin for my virtual world alter ego Cheri Horton, and I also explained some of my reasoning behind the move. What I failed to mention was the fact that I think the use of such skins - which, when done competently, should mimic your real-life appearance down to the pixel - may in fact be a wave of the future inside Second Life and other similar environments.
I haven’t bothered to dig up any real hard evidence backing that prognostication. It’s just a hunch of mine. The kicker is, I’ve only found one SL inhabitant so far who attests to having the ability to replicate people’s real-life appearances. I personally believe that if photorealism is indeed an emerging current in its (very) embryonic stage, it should be cultivated and supported - and that includes patronizing any in-world creators and merchants who deal in such products.
Like I said below: photorealism can serve to greatly enhance immersion. Isn’t that the Holy Grail of virtual world interaction? At the very least, it would in fact make for better cybernookie.
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I believe you are correct in your assumption of photorealism. It is only a matter of time before the technology becomes affordable to the consumer to actually do on their home computers. This is provided of course, that people are savvy enough to use the technology. But then again, most people who second life are savvy.
I still think that anonymity will remain a desired element to virtual environments so I doubt that the ability to create something completely different from one’s self will be lost.
Being Cheri Horton
Journalist Noche Kandora, known in Second Life as Cheri Horton, has been on an interesting quest in recent weeks: to create an avatar that mimics her real-life appearance as closely as possible. “Users also have the option of purchasing ‘skins…
I still think that anonymity will remain a desired element to virtual environments so I doubt that the ability to create something completely different from one’s self will be lost.
This is very true, Blixa. And in addition to people who want to maintain anonymity, I think the strictly fantasy-based avatars also will continue to appeal to a spectrum of other users, such as those who may be unhappy with their real-life physical appearances, or those who want to explore different identities altogether.
I think your current avatar is just gorgeous…who did the skin for that one?
Thank you Finnivar. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I kept forgetting to check. :O The creator was ShyOne Lehane.
mmm I think photo realistic avs would b more of an inhibitor than turn on.
I think certain parts of the body, particularly genitalia would benefit from being photorealistic.
but lets face it I’m much more attractive in sl than rl.
Cas Logan
I don’t think that my real “skin” would fit the SL me.
Plus, now that I have played for a couple of weeks I would feel wrong about changing my SL skin. That skin has become “my” skin and I wouldn’t really feel like “me” without it.
Tess Whitcroft
That skin has become “my” skin and I wouldn’t really feel like “me” without it.
I definitely know what you mean in that sense.