# 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](/metaverse/build/rules.md)).

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

## Avatars in a GMetri experience

{% content-ref url="/pages/o3bLvi3r9pt7qzbAHDZN" %}
[Avatars](/metaverse/player/avatars.md)
{% 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="/files/KZDfDfCIqmPSJKu0b2cl" alt=""><figcaption><p>A GMetri Experience with Avatars</p></figcaption></figure>

## Characters in a GMetri experience

{% content-ref url="/pages/JZRKcmfxxay74h40vTjd" %}
[Character](/metaverse/build/elements/character.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Characters can be added using:

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

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

<figure><img src="/files/CtICvHjUgklysFFvDFKi" alt=""><figcaption><p>Adding a Character via a Green Screen Video</p></figcaption></figure>


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