Playability can be defined as the adaptation of a system to a playful use. On the computer, playability takes shape through many aspects. One of these factors is the relationship which is formed between the player and his representation in the fictional universe, since the latter represents his modalities of action within the game world. This text proposes to understand the role of the avatar in the playful involvement of the user. First, we define the notion of playability. Then we question the framework that can be used to analyze the links between the avatars and playability in video games. The text ends with the definition of several characteristics of the avatar of video games.

Adolescence, 2009, T. 27, n°3, pp. 645-655.