Annual avatar contest kicks off, winning entries to go on virtual runway show

Japan-based VRM Consortium has begun accepting entries from the general public for its annual avatar contest.

The best entries in the “Avatar Award 2022” will be honored at a ceremony in late December and go on a virtual runway show during a live broadcast.

The annual event invites 3D avatar works from the general public and awards outstanding works to promote avatar culture and encourage creators. Last year, one Grand Prize winner and three Excellence Award winners were selected from a total of 152 entries.

This year’s contest is divided into  two categories: the “Avatar Category,” which evaluates avatars, and the “Avatar Life Category” for photos that can show interactions between avatars. Organizers will also give a Special Achievement Award to the virtual character considered to have contributed the most to the development of avatar culture.

Creators from the fashion and content industries will serve as judges to evaluate participating works based on criteria including their character, fashion and forward-thinking nature. Nominated works will be made available to the public for viewing. Users can see these works via the “Virtual Cast” metaverse communication service and other means. They can also vote for their favorite avatars.