February 15, 2022 – 8th Wall, a provider of a web-based augmented reality (WebAR) development platform, and Ready Player Me, a cross-app avatar platform for the metaverse, have today announced an official integration which equips developers with all the tools they need to create immersive browser-based experiences with custom, interactive avatars. Projects that make use of this integration will allow users to bring their avatars into web-based 3D, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences, which can be engaged with on smartphones, computers and AR and VR headsets.
Acting as a digital identity in virtual worlds and spaces, avatars are going to play a major role in the metaverse. Ready Player Me is a cross-app avatar system that allows users to explore virtual worlds with one consistent identity across different metaverse platforms. Users create their 3D avatar by taking a selfie or by selecting from a variety of pre-made options. They can then customize their avatar with virtual apparel and accessories including NFT-based assets. These avatars can then be used in multiple compatible apps and games, which now includes 8th Wall powered experiences.
“We are excited to continue our collaboration with 8th Wall. Their tools make it easy for WebAR developers to turn their ideas into reality and share them with the world. We can’t wait to see how 8th Wall’s developer community utilizes Ready Player Me avatars in their experiences,” said Timmu Tõke, Co-Founder & CEO of Ready Player Me.
Developers can get started building WebAR experiences featuring Ready Player Me avatars using the Ready Player Me sample project now available in 8th Wall’s Project Library. The sample project can be used to create Face Effects that make use of the front-facing camera on smartphones and computers to transform the user’s face into their custom avatar, complete with facial expressions. It can also be used to create World Effects that allow users to place and navigate their avatar in the real world in front of them using the rear-facing camera on iOS and Android smartphones.
8th Wall’s Engine allows creators to build WebAR projects once and deploy everywhere – something that the company refers to as ‘Metaversal Deployment’. As a result, World Effects can be experienced as AR on smartphones and smart glasses, 3D on computers, and VR on head-mounted displays.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Ready Player Me to make it easier for our developers to use its avatar system in 8th Wall projects,” said Erik Murphy-Chutorian, CEO and Founder of 8th Wall. “Avatars play a critical role in our digital identity and giving users the ability to create, customize and engage their avatar in 8th Wall powered projects will make these experiences even more personal and meaningful.”
Existing examples from 8th Wall developers who have already implemented Ready Player Me avatars into WebAR experiences include from WebAR agency, Aircards, in partnership with Yahoo Creative Studios and Ringtail Studios. Aircards developed a cross-platform avatar experience to promote the launch of Sci-Fi blockbuster film, Dune, which enabled users to create their own custom 3D Dune avatars. Once created, users could view their custom avatar in WebAR, or download it to use across platforms in compatible games and environments.
For more information on 8th Wall and its WebAR development platform, click here. To find out more about Ready Player Me and its avatar creation platform, click here.
Image credit: 8th Wall
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.