avatar virtual representation Written by Michelle Calka Contributor to SAGE Publications's The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society (2020) whose work appears in Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with SAGE. Michelle Calka Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 17, 2026 •History avatar, the visual representation of a user or player to others in an interactive virtual environment. Avatars are a primary means of identity representation and performance in many video games and virtual worlds. An avatar can take numerous forms, from a username to a simple picture to a complex 3D image of a humanoid or animal. Users control or direct their avatars and use them to interact with other users and the virtual world’s environment...

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