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# Webcam-Controlled Gaming Avatars
FaceRig Uses Your Expressions to Animate Gaming Characters

By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-09-17 | Tech
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facerig
References: [indiegogo](http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/facerig) & [facerig](https://facerig.com/)

Creating a video game avatar is part of the fun of gaming, but FaceRig introduces a whole new way to bring characters to life. In short, FaceRig makes use of a webcam to capture your facial expressions in real-time, which are then represented on the face of your gaming avatar. How it works is based on an image-based tracking technologies by Visage Technologies, combined with an animation and visualization framework from Holotech Studios.

The FaceRig program can be used on [Skype](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/codi-allocco), [Twitch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magicam) or similar platforms that use a webcam for communication. In its crowdfunding campaign, FaceRig included a video that shows off how awesomely accurate the technology is with a demonstration of a woman and her facial expressions come to life on a fox avatar.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 1.9/10
- Popularity: 10% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games)

## Key Themes

### Key Themes Behind This Trend

- **Webcam-based Avatar Animation:** Webcam-based avatar animation technology offers a new way to bring characters to life in video games.
- **Real-time Facial Expression Capture:** Real-time facial expression capture software allows gamers to control their avatar's movements and emotions with their own facial movements.
- **Image-based Tracking Technologies:** Advancements in image-based tracking technologies enable more accurate and responsive facial animation in gaming.

### Where This Applies

- **Gaming:** The gaming industry can leverage webcam-controlled avatar technology to enhance player immersion and interaction.
- **Video Communication Platforms:** Video communication platforms, such as Skype and Twitch, can integrate webcam-based avatar animation to enhance user engagement.
- **Animation and Visualization:** The animation and visualization industry can explore opportunities to collaborate with webcam-based avatar software developers to create innovative applications and experiences.

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- [Expressive AI-Fuelled Digital Avatars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expressive-avatars.md)
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- [Real-Time Hologram Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holoport.md)