Photo: Meta
‘Currently, they are exclusively accessible to beta testers.’
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced that its metaverse avatars will now have legs, making them appear more human-like. This update was initially revealed at Meta Connect 2022 and is now being implemented in the latest beta version of the Quest software. However, it is important to note that users will not see the legs on their avatars when looking down. Instead, the legs will only be visible in third-person or when using a virtual mirror.
This decision aligns with the absence of leg-tracking options in current consumer virtual reality systems. By not needing to focus on accurate leg animations, Meta can avoid potential challenges with physics and maintain a seamless user experience. Nevertheless, there may be some limitations to consider, such as the inability of avatar legs to crouch in third-person view when the user bends their knees or sits down. This could impact social interactions in VR spaces, particularly in maintaining eye contact with other users.
While the legs update is not available in the VR version of Horizon Worlds yet, it is expected to be present in the mobile and web versions. Meta had previously stated that legs would be introduced in Worlds first before expanding to other avatar-friendly experiences. However, Meta has not released any updates to its software development kit for avatars, preventing external developers from incorporating legs into their projects within Meta’s virtual spaces.
The upcoming Meta Connect event, taking place next month, may provide further details on the company’s virtual legs and other related developments. Additionally, Meta will also unveil more information about the highly anticipated Quest 3 during the event.