User expressions in virtual environments

A system for providing banner representations in a virtual environment, the system comprising:

• an avatar record including avatar representations that include data to provide visual representations of avatars;
• a representation record including banner representations that include data to provide visual representations of banners;
• a processor to receive a selection of an avatar made by a user using a user device, the processor to access the avatar record to retrieve the data to provide a visual representation of the selected avatar as an avatar representation, and
• the processor to receive a selection of a banner made by the user using the user device, the processor to access the representation record to retrieve the data to provide a visual representation of the selected banner as a banner representation;
• an associator to associate the banner representation with the avatar representation;
• and
• a move generator to receive avatar movement input from the user device and generate visual data representing the movement of the selected avatar and the selected banner in the virtual environment,
• wherein the banner representation includes at least one of a walking tour and quest in which people follow the banner representation and learn about representation of the banner representation along the way,
• wherein the banner representation is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar representation as the selected avatar moves in the virtual environment,
• wherein the processor displays the visual data representing the movement of the selected avatar and the selected banner on a visual display.

A method for providing banner representations in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, the method comprising:

• accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar;
• receiving a selection of a banner representation made by a user;
• accessing a representation record, wherein the representation record indicates the banner representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of a banner,
• wherein the banner representation includes a motion platform that moves with the avatar and presents a visual of the avatar riding on or in the moving platform;
• associating the banner representation with the avatar representation;
• receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment;
• and
• generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and banner in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the banner representation,
• where the banner is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program to provide banner representations in a computer that provides a virtual environment, the computer program comprising executable instructions that cause the computer to:

• access an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar;
• receive a selection of a banner representation made by a user;
• access a representation record, wherein the representation record indicates the banner representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of a banner,
• wherein the banner representation includes at least one of a walking tour and quest in which people follow the banner representation and learn about representation of the banner representation along the way;
• associate the banner representation with the avatar representation;
• receive avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment;
• and
• generate visual data representing the movement of the avatar and banner in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the banner representation,
• wherein the banner is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.