Keep your avatars happy or else

Smile and the world smiles with you? Seems so, even in cyberspace. Ohio State University research released today says the simulated emotions of digital characters on Web sites have a real impact on potential customers looking at them.

The study, appearing in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, found that digital characters might be better merchants if they act consistently happy, even if the products they're selling-such as novels or movies-are heart-wrenchingly sad. The study says many Web sites feature digital human-like characters or avatars and happier avatars can sell more products than sad ones.

The study suggests more emotion might impact the computer gaming industry, which uses countless computer characters - in many cases being blown to bits. "People playing these games want characters to have emotion," said Li Gong , an assistant professor of communication who conducted the research. "Digital characters are becoming increasingly important as more kids grow up with computers," Gong said. "When a digital character can't pick up emotional cues in text, it's better to be happy, even if the topic or product is sad," Gong said. "The age-old idea that positivity outweighs negativity also applies here."

Depends. If your avatar is going down to protest Second Life headquarters, you might want to look a little mean. Still, others note these avatars, happy or not tend to give their digital representations a bit of an odd feel.

One writer said even when filmmakers scan in the motions of real-life actors and then animate over them, they wind up looking creepy and rubbery, as in "The Polar Express" and "Monster House."

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