Miurror
Miurror: Messenger for Virtual World
Intro: A messenger app that shows you the facial reactions of your friends in virtual avatars when they read/reply to your message. Advised by Epic Games cofounder.
Status: 🪦☠️ 2022-Jan 2023, Development has been shut down following Google’s acquisition of the SDK that we relied on.
Why Miurror
I’ve been exploring this idea since I started playing Fortnite in 2018. In Fortnite, players often use various skins(avatars) and emotes to socialize with friends. However, I’ve noticed that my Fortnite friends are eager to see the actual facial reactions behind others’ avatars during in-game interactions. This led me to consider whether a product could extend avatar-based social experiences for broader, everyday smartphone use.
A virtual identity without genuine emotional input is unlikely to be seen as trustworthy in the long run. It’s commonly understood that many of the emojis we use don’t reflect our true feelings. Although many social apps already offer successful avatar platforms, users tend to view them as just another form of animated stickers or emojis, rather than as a representation of their identity. Our focus, instead, is on creating an emotional connection between the person and their avatar.
Earned Secrets
- Even a flat expression means more than just text
- People deliberately express facial expressions when they reply to DM to delight friends
- Facial emotions are way more immersive in building relationships with new friends