While Snapchat looks to develop its own AR glasses and compete with Meta in the AR wearables race, it’s also building its own, lo-fi version of the metaverse, with a new Digital city center “Bitmoji Plaza”. in the web version of the app.
Well, not really a ‘metaverse’ as such, as it’s not meant to be an expansive digital world, encompassing a range of experiences. But it’s similar in the way you communicate through avatars in space.
There’s not much to go on, and it’s not active for all users at this stage. But basically, Snapchat’s Bitmoji Plaza will be an online space where you can interact with other users’ Bitmoji avatars in a simple 3D environment.
As explained by Snap:
“When you log into Snapchat on the web, you’ll find your Bitmoji waiting in the middle of a 3D virtual world. This 3D world can become a fun and immersive space to see and interact with other online friends, also known as the Bitmoji Plaza! When your friends come online by logging into Snapchat on the web, their Bitmojis can join you there. When your friends go offline, their Bitmojis walk out and leave the room.”
So it’s a bit like Roblox, but with Bitmoji characters, and at least for now, without games or extensive engagement options. You can simply control your avatar character in the virtual space and interact with other avatars, adding a fun engagement extension for Snapchatters on the web.
Which is probably not much. Snapchat’s primary focus is on the app, and as such, web logins for Snapchat are likely only a small portion of its overall usage. Snapchat didn’t release its web app until 2022, so it’s never been a major focus for the company.
But perhaps there’s more potential for engagement now on the web version of the app, as more people work from home and as Snap tries to connect with an older audience.
And as such, these types of additional interactive features are likely to be welcomed by users.
“Your Bitmoji can move or dance in this shared space. You can see your friends’ Bitmojis, and your friends can see your Bitmoji. Your Bitmojis can even wave at each other!”
Yes, again, it’s limited both in terms of functionality and access, but it’s an interesting addition, especially considering how Snapchat wants to integrate itself into a future metaverse-style shift.
Because with more than 2.7 billion Bitmory avatars in circulationthese character images are already popular as representations of people on the internet. And perhaps, as we all eventually become more accustomed to interacting through our digital avatars, Snap will be able to turn Bitmoji’s popularity into a new opportunity to build on this next phase of interaction.
That’s what Snap says Bitmoji Plaza is an opt-in experience and your Bitmoji character will only appear in Bitmoji Plaza if you and others sign up to join.
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