The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments
Over the past 10 years, advancements in virtual reality (VR) technologies have been profound, yielding significant transformations within the digital milieu. This paper presents an extensive analysis of the cutting-edge research surrounding avatar customization in VR, concentrating on the technologi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Virtual Reality |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1496128/full |
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| author | Hamid Ouhnni Acim Btissam Belhiah Meryam Karim El Bouchti Zaoui Seghroucheni Yassine Souad Najoua Lagmiri Benachir Rigalma Soumia Ziti |
| author_facet | Hamid Ouhnni Acim Btissam Belhiah Meryam Karim El Bouchti Zaoui Seghroucheni Yassine Souad Najoua Lagmiri Benachir Rigalma Soumia Ziti |
| author_sort | Hamid Ouhnni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Over the past 10 years, advancements in virtual reality (VR) technologies have been profound, yielding significant transformations within the digital milieu. This paper presents an extensive analysis of the cutting-edge research surrounding avatar customization in VR, concentrating on the technologies, methodologies, and challenges pertinent to the creation and management of digital representations. Through a meticulous examination of 45 curated studies, the research investigates three pivotal dimensions: the determinants affecting the aesthetic characteristics of avatars, the progression of avatar creation methodologies, and the practical applications of avatar customization. The investigation emphasizes the critical role of avatar customization in augmenting user identification, social presence, and interaction within virtual environments. Furthermore, it delves into nascent trends in avatar development, including artificial intelligence-driven customization tools and real-time rendering methodologies, which facilitate the production of increasingly realistic and individualized avatars. The concluding section articulates prospective trajectories for innovation within this domain, underscoring opportunities for further inquiry and the formulation of more diverse and adaptable strategies for avatar customization, thereby accommodating users across a spectrum of virtual environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83fda9562a4f473482b93dc501b3ce1a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-4192 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Virtual Reality |
| spelling | doaj-art-83fda9562a4f473482b93dc501b3ce1a2025-08-20T03:46:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Virtual Reality2673-41922025-06-01610.3389/frvir.2025.14961281496128The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environmentsHamid Ouhnni0Acim Btissam1Belhiah Meryam2Karim El Bouchti3Zaoui Seghroucheni Yassine4Souad Najoua Lagmiri5Benachir Rigalma6Soumia Ziti7Computer science department, Intelligent Processing and Security of Systems (IPSS) Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoComputer science department, Intelligent Processing and Security of Systems (IPSS) Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDoctor of Engineering Professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat, MoroccoComputer science department, Computer Systems Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, MoroccoProfessor at Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoInformatique, Réseaux, Sécurité et Management (IRSM), Higher Institute of Management, Administration and Computer Engineering, Rabat, MoroccoComputer science department, Intelligent Processing and Security of Systems (IPSS) Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoProfessor at Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoOver the past 10 years, advancements in virtual reality (VR) technologies have been profound, yielding significant transformations within the digital milieu. This paper presents an extensive analysis of the cutting-edge research surrounding avatar customization in VR, concentrating on the technologies, methodologies, and challenges pertinent to the creation and management of digital representations. Through a meticulous examination of 45 curated studies, the research investigates three pivotal dimensions: the determinants affecting the aesthetic characteristics of avatars, the progression of avatar creation methodologies, and the practical applications of avatar customization. The investigation emphasizes the critical role of avatar customization in augmenting user identification, social presence, and interaction within virtual environments. Furthermore, it delves into nascent trends in avatar development, including artificial intelligence-driven customization tools and real-time rendering methodologies, which facilitate the production of increasingly realistic and individualized avatars. The concluding section articulates prospective trajectories for innovation within this domain, underscoring opportunities for further inquiry and the formulation of more diverse and adaptable strategies for avatar customization, thereby accommodating users across a spectrum of virtual environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1496128/fullavatardigital bodyvirtual realityaugmented realityAI-generated avatarscustomization |
| spellingShingle | Hamid Ouhnni Acim Btissam Belhiah Meryam Karim El Bouchti Zaoui Seghroucheni Yassine Souad Najoua Lagmiri Benachir Rigalma Soumia Ziti The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments Frontiers in Virtual Reality avatar digital body virtual reality augmented reality AI-generated avatars customization |
| title | The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments |
| title_full | The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments |
| title_fullStr | The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments |
| title_short | The evolution of virtual identity: a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in VR environments |
| title_sort | evolution of virtual identity a systematic review of avatar customization technologies and their behavioral effects in vr environments |
| topic | avatar digital body virtual reality augmented reality AI-generated avatars customization |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1496128/full |
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