# Avatars vs Characters

## What's the difference between Avatars and Characters?

**Avatars** are the digital representation of actual people (humans... for now). When you enter the metaverse, you enter as your Avatar. You also see other people as their avatars.

{% hint style="info" %}
Behind every Avatar is an actual person
{% endhint %}

**Character** is a bot controlled by the computer/the GMetri game engine. We can make these characters interactive by making them speak, animate etc. when someone clicks on them (or link them with any other event through [rules](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/rules)).

In the Metaverse's 3D Space, Avatars (in most systems) are generally 3D Models. Characters can be a [Character Element](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/elements/character), 3D Model, Video, Image, GIF.. etc.

## Avatars in a GMetri experience

{% content-ref url="../../../metaverse/player/avatars" %}
[avatars](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/player/avatars)
{% endcontent-ref %}

To be able to select your avatar when entering a GMetri experience, you need to ensure that "Multiplayer" mode is turned on and that there is at-least one 3D Scene in the experience.

The editor of the experience can choose which Avatars a viewer is allowed to select when entering an experience by specifying them in the Setting > Collaboration tab.

<figure><img src="https://2186043722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Mgll1jjQMRTVj7p6n7g%2Fuploads%2FkylWwa2phU1OUdUPZGo2%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1c787d69-63c3-4fec-a88b-37daef9cb980" alt=""><figcaption><p>A GMetri Experience with Avatars</p></figcaption></figure>

## Characters in a GMetri experience

{% content-ref url="../../../metaverse/build/elements/character" %}
[character](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/elements/character)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Characters can be added using:

* [Character Element](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/elements/character)
* [GIFs](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/elements/gif)
* [Images](https://docs.gmetri.com/metaverse/build/elements/image)
* Videos ([Green Screen](https://docs.gmetri.com/guidelines-compatibility/guidelines/workflows/green-screen) video)
* 3D Models

Here's an example where the character is added via a Green Screen Video.

<figure><img src="https://2186043722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Mgll1jjQMRTVj7p6n7g%2Fuploads%2FbVnCPjgaJabXNOGdjNyo%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=608f4039-bd80-441e-a1e3-81c417f2b2d3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Adding a Character via a Green Screen Video</p></figcaption></figure>