Conclusion

This research has proven that if chat communication is facilitated with a digital avatar presence, then the quality of communication will increase compared to not having a digital avatar presence at all. However the research has failed to prove that if chat communication is facilitated with direct avatar gaze control, then the quality of communication will increase compared to an indirect avatar gaze. However after analyzing the significance for the difference of direct and indirect gaze under the Partner Evaluation condition, successful results for this hypothesis may be attained by greatly increasing the sample size. It would also help to facilitate this study under real life conditions, in order to standardize procedural processes as much as possible. Also, further research must be done on real life human behaviour, in order to successfully implement an avatar mime of the same nature. Script developments on chat history relocation to the top of an avatar’s head may also improve the humane feel of avatars.