Avatar

James Cameron’s new film Avatar is set in the year 2154, when humans have developed a technology that allows them to visit an alien world through the use of artificial bodies. Controlling these real-life “avatars” is the central premise to what has become the highest grossing movie of all time.

But while this concept may seem like science fiction, it no doubt derives from our use of virtual avatars in computer games, Internet forums and web sites like Heritage Key’s very own virtual experience. In a sense, we can visit new worlds all the time.

Pundits from across the spectrum have already pointed to the environmental, political and possible religious messages to be found in the film. Yet Avatar also gives us some commentary on how we as human beings deal with virtual worlds and our own virtual identities.

For those of us who play computer games or take part in a virtual community, it can be tempting to want to stay up late and continue with our online adventures. At times, it can even be hard for some of us to stop.

Avatar’s main character, Jake Sully, faces this same problem throughout the movie. A former ex-marine, Jake arrives on the alien world of Pandora ready to embark on his own journey. Humans have already established a base on the planet, with the aim of mining a rare natural resource. But conflict with Pandora’s indigenous people, the Na’vi, threatens to derail their plans since their village is located on the largest deposit of the rare resource.

To try and find a peaceful solution, humans have developed avatars, genetically engineered Na’vi bodies that can be controlled remotely. Jake is chosen to man one of these bodies with the hope that he can help convince the Na’vi to relocate.

Though the avatars featured in the film are far more advanced then the ones we use on our computers, they still serve the same purpose and allow us to visit new places. With Hertiage Key's virtual experience, a user can visit a 3-D version of King Tut's tomb. In James Cameron's film, it's an alien world.

But the avatars featured in the film also come with quite a few perks. When Jake "drives" his avatar for the first time, he finds that he's essentially been given an entire new body, one that can run, jump and even taste food. Heritage Key's virtual experience, unfortunately, cannot let you taste the sandy air of Egypt. But one wonders what the virtual avatars of the future will be like.

Yet in the case of Jake, using his avatar means more than just visiting a new world. Already eager to use his new body, he soon becomes accustomed to his avatar, and begins interacting with the Na’vi people.  But Jake's use of the avatar grows to the point that he eventually assimilates into their culture. Clearly his life as a Na’vi has taken precedence over his life as a human. At one point, Jake wonders: “Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world and in here is the dream.”

Jake’s problems seem akin to the issue many computer users can face when trying to pull themselves away from their virtual worlds. For Jake, it’s obviously a harder decision to make considering that his avatar and the world it inhabits are real. But who’s to say our own virtual worlds aren’t either? Though they may be comprised of digital graphics, they still give us pleasure, enjoyment and new experiences. In some cases, we may invest sufficient amounts of ourselves to make the avatar seem in a way as real to us as our physical selves. 

Find out about the evolution of the word 'Avatar' from its creators, and get tips on creating and customising your own avatar in King Tut Virtual.