All articles tagged with #avatars
CNN's Hadas Gold tests a pop-up AI dating event hosted by Eva in Manhattan, going on dates with AI avatars John Yoon and Phoebe Callas. She describes one date as stiff, with the avatars misreading cues and even pushing awkward lines like “sweetheart.” The piece notes other outlets’ experiments with AI companions and suggests AI dating still has a long way to go in feeling natural.
PlayStation is celebrating the success of Ghost of Yotei with limited-time free avatar downloads featuring characters from the game, available through region-specific codes. Additionally, a free multiplayer expansion called Ghost of Yotei Legends is planned for 2026, offering new story missions and survival modes, with no current plans for single-player DLC.
Google Vids introduces pre-made AI avatars and new features for workplace video creation, enabling quick, cost-effective videos and potentially disrupting traditional video production jobs, while emphasizing that human creativity remains essential.
Microsoft will discontinue the Xbox Avatar Editor app on January 9, 2025, due to low engagement, affecting Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC users. The original Xbox 360 Avatars will remain available for supported games. Purchases of Avatar items made between November 2023 and the closure date will be refunded. Microsoft emphasizes its focus on other personalization options like dynamic backgrounds and profile themes.
Microsoft is discontinuing the Xbox Avatar Editor app on January 9, 2025, due to low engagement and a shift in focus towards other player experiences. After this date, players will no longer have access to their Avatars or purchased items, but will receive refunds for items bought since November 1, 2023. Users can still edit and use older Xbox Original Avatars through a separate app.
Microsoft is set to remove avatars from Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles by January 9, 2025, due to low engagement. Introduced in 2008 during the Xbox 360 era, avatars were once a prominent feature but have since faded into obscurity. The Xbox Avatar Editor app will also be discontinued, and recent purchases for avatars will be refunded. However, Xbox 360 avatars, known as "Xbox Original Avatars," will remain available in supported games and apps.
Xbox is shutting down its Avatar Editor on January 9, 2025, due to low engagement, and will issue refunds for items purchased after November 1, 2023. While the Xbox 360-era Avatars will still be available, the newer 3D avatars and their marketplace will be discontinued. This decision reflects a shift in focus towards other player experiences, despite the popularity of customizable avatars in modern gaming.
A study by researchers from SWPS University, the University of Sussex, and the University of Kent explores how group dynamics, including virtual avatars, impact individuals' moral judgments. The findings reveal that participants often adjust their opinions to align with those of a group, whether the pressure comes from real individuals or AI-controlled avatars in a virtual environment. This adjustment occurs less frequently in scenarios involving harm to others, indicating a moral boundary to social influence. The study underscores the potent influence of digital environments on our judgments and emphasizes the need for further research into the implications of virtual group dynamics.
PlayStation is offering a free download of six Rise of the Ronin avatars, available without a PS Plus subscription, as a gesture of appreciation to fans. The upcoming game, reminiscent of Ghost of Tsushima, is set for release on 22 March, and the free avatars can be claimed by logging into your account. While some users find the claiming process inconvenient, it's a small but appreciated gesture from Sony.
Sony is offering six free Rise of the Ronin Avatars ahead of the game's PS5 release on March 22, 2024. Players can claim each Avatar by logging in to their PSN account on the game's official page and redeeming a unique code for each character. The Avatars represent different factions within the game and are available for customization.
Zwift, the popular indoor training platform, has announced a series of updates for the winter months. Avatars will receive a refresh in February, with new faces and the ability to choose any avatar regardless of gender. Apple watches will soon be compatible with the app as heart rate monitors, and users will be able to find and queue routes and workouts via the companion app. The Tour de Zwift event will return in January, followed by the debut of the Zwift Games in February. These updates come shortly after Zwift implemented a new levelling system.
The Season of Play promotion on PS Plus allows PS5 and PS4 users to claim five free Avatars by inputting the correct code for their region on the PS Store. The Avatars feature characters from popular games like Ghost of Tsushima and Final Fantasy VII Remake. The promotion also offers discounts on PlayStation Gear products, a chance to win a PS5 console, and the ability to claim PS Stars points.
Rock band Kiss, known for their iconic makeup and live performances, announced their retirement from live shows but revealed plans to continue as digital avatars. The band debuted their digital avatars during their farewell tour, created by Industrial Light and Magic, and expressed uncertainty about the future direction of their digital era. Pophouse Entertainment, the company responsible for transforming Kiss into digital intellectual property, mentioned possibilities such as concerts, rock operas, musicals, or adventures in metaverses like Roblox or Fortnite. While some may find the concept exciting, others question the appeal of paying to watch digital versions of real artists performing the same songs repeatedly.
Legendary rock band KISS has marked the end of their physical existence by transitioning into the digital world. At the conclusion of their final live tour, the band introduced their new digital avatars, who performed as an encore. This marks the beginning of a new era for KISS, as their avatars will continue to perform for fans using advanced performance-capture technology. The avatars, created by Industrial Light & Magic, will ensure the band's immortalization and push the boundaries of rock and roll performances. KISS's legacy will also be championed by Pophouse Entertainment Group, who will produce immersive avatar-powered music concerts. The band's members expressed excitement about the opportunity to take KISS to a completely different level beyond being just a music band.
Sony has launched a new promotion called Season of Play for PS Plus members, offering free avatars, discounts on PlayStation Gear, a chance to win a PS5 console, and 50 PS Stars points. The promotion runs from December 5th to January 5th, 2024, and includes activities such as redeeming voucher codes for avatars, answering questions for a chance to win a PS5 and PS Plus Premium bundle, and playing specific games to earn bonus points. PS Plus membership is not required for participation, except for claiming the extra PS Stars points.