Patent ID: 8130219

Claim:
A method comprising: using an avatar generator process that is in execution on a first computer system associated with a first user, generating an avatar as a combination of at least two other avatars, the generated avatar having a simulated physical appearance that is defined in terms of a plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics, at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics having a user defined weighting value associated therewith; generating a metadata file relating to the generated avatar, the metadata file including at least a unique identifier of each of the at least two other avatars and the user defined weighting value associated with the at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics; transferring the metadata file via a network to a second computer system that is associated with a second user; and, generating in dependence upon metadata of the metadata file the avatar locally with respect to the second computer system using an avatar generator process that is in execution thereon.