Avatar voting in Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds (VWs) are persistent, immersive digital environments where users interact in online communities via avatars. Voting on VW issues is currently done outside the VW environment, as constant monitoring of avatar activities means the privacy of in-world voting cannot be guaranteed. This paper proposes a VW voting method using remote code voting processes situated in a Trusted Secure Layer external to the VW infrastructure, in conjunction with Vote Code Lists sent to a mobile phone application. This approach allows virtual votes to be cast privately and reliably even in a range of attack scenarios.