Default Avatar getting a makeover?

I saw a post on Vint Falken's blog that LL is petitioning content creators they consider to be of high caliber to create new default avatar content for Linden Lab. All I can say is, about time.

http://www.vintfalken.com/lindens-looking-to-buy-avatar-content/

My question (in the grand old tradition) is, if you were making a new default avatar for Linden Lab, what would it look like?

Hmmm... the ironic thing is, if I were a "content creator of high caliber," (which I assume to mean a skin creator) I'd be motivated for the default avatar to look as cheesy as possible.

I just want them to improve the avatar mesh.

Although, it would be nice if there were some more ethnic choices available right off the bat.

The default avatar for the CSI:NY sims uses "high caliber" creators to create the shapes, clothing, hair, eyes, etc. Quite impressive really. A sign of how the default SL avatar could look. Also of note: The default CSI:NY avatars appear to be shorter than the SL norm.

Well, I can see the point of view of course. But with the numerous high quality skins already available free, I don't think it would hurt anyone's business any more than they do. And by Avatars, I think it means more than skins, you know there are several choices, "metrosexual AV", "Cyberpunk AV", "Casual AV" that you can choose from at signup. So it's skin, clothes, hair etc.

Another point is that LL says it's a Paying gig, and I don't think It's in Lindens

The male av would look like Chris, or Yosef.

The furry av would look like my fellow GQ Start instructor, Zion Tristan.

I'd add another nonhuman av...a modest sized dragon, maybe.

The female av would look like...um, me. Oh wait...I don't want to be seen as a newbie! Make the girls look like Rosele...no, that won't do either, she's prettier than I am. Um...I think Ruth is just right for female avs. Yeah, that's it...Ruth.

Anyway, a new starter set is just putting a fresh coat of paint on the pig. What they really need is an updated avatar mesh.

I think they definitely should add a cyborg. Dragon is a nice idea. The strange bunny/fox/mouse hybrid thing they call a furry definitely needs changed.

Interesting point. What if the new default avatar ended up wearing your favorite hair, or skin? That would be a bit unnerving I think.

One more vote for the updated mesh. But also, it would be nice if they updated the animations to give him or her a decent walk and get rid of the Forrest Gump run. It doesn't have to be superb - I'm not saying run the animators out of business, but honestly, how awful are the default animations? At least make them less jerky and spastic.

I agree, all quite true.

Maybe what they really should do, is pay "Naughty," and other victims of ripoffs, a handsome royalty, and use some of those now-freebie skins for default AVs.

A new Avatar mesh is a good idea.


I'm not so sure new starter Avs are

Look at all the entertainment value lost.

Amen! The current mesh is crazy poor quality. And it's hard to imagine tht making everyone start as a European is the best way to go for maximum new sign-ups.



Thank you.



There would have to be some sacrifice on th part of the older residents for the sake of the greater good.

NONONONONONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe some other amusing default could be included?

Well the male default looks like a cartoon of the RL Phil Linden.

Thats has got to stay!

I vote for a newer avatar mesh. This one.. well, it needs an overhaul and preferably by a graphic artist in the 3-D field and not some tech. I add this to the wish for a neck attachment point, which should come with the new mesh.

They could make prims attach to the head by default again. That was always good for a laugh...

*gets an image of a noob with a prim penis.. on his head* Yes, that is always fun!

New Mesh.

A new pants mesh that doesn't default to "bellbottoms"
A new shoes mesh
A "Face" clothing item
A new layer of "tattoos"
A way to affect the transparency of body parts. (if only through some kind of transparency skin layer on top of everything else).
Better Hair.
Toes.
Neck Attachment points.
Breast attachment points. (Pecs actually move with the "stomach" part of the avatar, between ribcage and pelvis)
A "Chin" attachment point that actually moves with the avatar's chin. (moves when mouth opens)
Another pair of "hand" attachment points. (for jewelry, or furry hands, so they can still hold stuff)
An independently textured Left and right arm

And other attachment points. I want my prim nails to stay on my prim fingers!

Yes!

Them removing that was a travesty!

I have a friend that set her sell boxes to attach to the nose, she has a wicked sense of humor.

Pelvis

In all seriousnous ...

They could make a nice looking default AV and it wouldn't really hurt people in the Av related businesses. Since people don't want to all look alike.

So no matter how good the noob look is, people won't want to look like a noob.

They really do need to fix the animations.

This *might* hurt the people who sell AO's and the like, but ... still it needs done.

Agreed on both counts. The mesh itself needs help. And I would *love* to see some POC in the mix right off the bat!

I'd greatly love to have a mesh that actually gave me a proper chest without the divot in the middle, not to mention the weird ankles and shoulder blades dat come with a small avvie.



Agreed with all of these -- though I'd probab;y use the tattoo layer for dirty faces an stuff.

I'd also love more default facial expressions (c'mon, no "eye closed?" and hand positions (I want to be able to count on my fingers!)

Mari

Agreed with all of these -- though I'd probab;y use the tattoo layer for dirty faces an stuff.

I'd also love more default facial expressions (c'mon, no "eye closed?" and hand positions (I want to be able to count on my fingers!)

Mari