Human Resemblance and Graphical Resolution in Virtual Reality: Exploring the Impact on Perceived Realism and Enjoyment of Social Interactions

Avatars used in various metaverse social VR platforms exhibit diverse levels of human resemblance, raising questions about whether an optimal level of human likeness exists for enhancing VR social interactions. This study investigated how avatars with varying degrees of human resemblance (cartoon, standard, metahuman) influence perceived realism and enjoyment during VR social interactions involving self-disclosure. While no significant differences were found in perceived realism or enjoyment ratings immediately following interactions with each avatar, the post-experiment survey revealed distinct preferences. The Metahuman avatar, with high human resemblance and graphical resolution, was most frequently chosen as the most realistic. However, the metahuman and cartoon avatars were equally preferred for enjoyment, suggesting that individual preferences can vary in the human resemblance of avatars. A moderate positive correlation was observed between perceived realism and enjoyment ratings, indicating that higher realism contributes to a more positive user experience. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual preferences and exploring factors beyond human resemblances, such as animation realism and graphical fidelity when designing avatars for social VR platforms.