2 min read
Snapchat is experimenting with a new Bitmoji Plaza feature on its web interface, letting users’ Bitmoji avatars mingle in a basic 3D environment. The move marks Snap’s push toward more spatial, avatar-driven interaction in a lightweight form today.
What Is Bitmoji Plaza?
When you log in to Snapchat via browser, you may find your Bitmoji waiting in a virtual 3D world. In this shared space, your avatar can move or dance, other users’ Bitmojis appear when they log on, and avatars can interact, wave, or cross paths.
“When you log in to Snapchat on the web, you’ll find your Bitmoji waiting in the middle of a virtual 3D world. This 3D world can become a fun and immersive space to see and interact with other online friends, otherwise known as the Bitmoji Plaza! When your friends come online by signing into Snapchat on the web too, their Bitmojis can join you there. When your friends go offline, their Bitmojis will walk out and leave the space,” Snapchat explained their newest change to Bitmoji ecosystem.
“Your Bitmoji can move or dance around in this shared space. You can see your friends’ Bitmojis, and your friends can see your Bitmoji. Your Bitmojis can even wave to each other!”
Why The Web Feature Now?
Snapchat, originally a mobile first app, only launched its web version in 2022, and web usage has been a modest slice of its total audience. This experiment suggests Snap sees potential in web as a bridge to older users or hybrid usage scenarios.
While Bitmoji Plaza is not a full metaverse, it shares aesthetics of avatar social spaces. There’s no gameplay or extended worlds yet, and it’s largely about presence and casual interaction.
The feature is opt in, meaning your Bitmoji will not appear unless you activate it. A key limitation is that Bitmoji Plaza currently works only on web, not in Snapchat’s mobile apps.
Challenges and User Reception
The rollout is limited and doesn’t yet support advanced interactions or broad access. Some users wonder whether the investment is worth it given web’s minor share of Snapchat usage.
Snap has already enhanced its 3D Bitmoji models previously, improving hair textures, facial expressions, and realism to make avatars more lifelike.
