Identifying Interacting With Avatars

Identifying and interacting with avatars

While visiting a scene, you can identify and interact with other visitors. The way in which you perform these actions depends upon whether you are in desktop mode or VR mode.

Desktop mode

Interaction between avatars in desktop mode is accomplished through the Chat and People apps and voice chat. The Nearby tab of the People app identifies other avatars in the scene by Avatar Name and Avatar ID, and provides controls to Message (privately), Add Friend, and Mute any avatar in the list. The Chat app provides text chat for all avatars in the scene.

Additionally, you can identify nearby avatars by moving your mouse cursor over them in the scene. The person's Avatar Name and Avatar ID appear at the cursor location while the cursor is hovering over their avatar. While the Avatar Name and ID are visible, you may left-click to access Mute and Add/Remove Friend buttons.

Note: It is not possible to use the hover-over method to identify avatars with a game controller in desktop mode at this time.

Note: Sending and receiving private messages can only be done with friends.

VR mode

When you look at an avatar in VR mode and hold one of the grip buttons, their Avatar Name and Avatar ID appear along with buttons to Mute (or Unmute) or Add Friend (or Remove Friend if they are already your friend). Currently, the only way to communicate while in VR is by using voice chat; while in VR you cannot send or see text chat. However, text chat is preserved for later reading in desktop mode if you choose to toggle out of VR mode.

Identifying avatars using voice chat and avatar broadcasting

Typing indicator

Avatars who are typing in text chat have a green ellipsis (...) indicator above their heads. This can help you to easily identify when someone is composing a chat message. You can toggle the typing indicator on or off in Settings.

Voice chat indicator

Avatars who are speaking in voice chat have a green audio indicator above their heads. This can help you easily identify who is speaking when in a group setting. You can toggle the voice chat indicator on or off in Settings.

Broadcasted avatar indicator

When attending an event that is using the avatar broadcasting feature, broadcasted avatars have an icon above their head that looks like a set of concentric circles. Although you can see and hear broadcasted avatars, remember that broadcasted avatars cannot see you or hear your voice chat.