Meta’s Virtual Avatars Gain Mobility
Almost a year has passed since Meta revealed its plan to enhance its metaverse avatars, resembling Caspar the Friendly Ghost, by giving them legs to make them seem more human. The awaited moment is approaching as the latest beta version of Quest software introduces additional limbs for Quest Home avatars.
You can’t see the legs in your avatar when you look down, as UploadVR points out. They only show up in third person or when you’re looking through a virtual mirror (as in many first person shooters). This makes sense because none of the current consumer VR systems have a foot tracking option. It means Meta doesn’t have to worry too much about accurate leg animations instead of, I don’t know, wacky QWOP style physics?
Also, it looks like your avatar’s legs don’t bend in third person view when you bend your knees or sit down. This can make things a bit awkward when trying to maintain eye contact (as much as possible in VR modes) with another user.
Meta Quest v57 PTC finally adds legs to your Meta avatar 😀 pic.twitter.com/3dzuuppp6e
— Luna (@Lunayian) August 29, 2023
The legs aren’t in the VR version of Horizon Worlds yet, though you should see them in the mobile and web versions if you’re one of those testers. Oddly enough, Meta said last year that “legs roll into worlds first” before they get to other avatar-friendly experiences. UploadVR also notes that Meta hasn’t publicly updated the software development kit for avatars, so third-party developers using that toolset can’t yet play with their feet in the company’s virtual spaces.
This may all come to an end next month when this year’s Meta Connect takes place. Maybe then the company will have more to say about its virtual legs. One thing we know for sure about the event is that the Meta will reveal a lot more about Quest 3.
