Enabling Facial Expressions on Networked Avatars

any luck on this one? In exact same situation as you, including Photon.

in the end I had to buy this asset which uses photon and meta avatars with face/eye tracking and work from there: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/multiplayer-mixed-reality-template-239230

For networked instantiated avatars in your multiplayer game, you'll typically need to synchronize the face tracking data across the network. Ensure each avatar's facial expressions are updated and replicated to all clients using your network synchronization method (like Photon Unity Networking, Mirror, etc.). Check documentation or forums for specifics on integrating face tracking with networked avatars, as it often involves custom scripting to ensure smooth synchronization and performance.

Enabling facial expressions on networked avatars involves integrating advanced facial recognition and animation technologies to capture and replicate users' real-time facial movements. This process typically uses a combination of cameras and software algorithms to track facial features and expressions, which are then mapped onto the avatars to reflect the user's emotions and reactions accurately. Such capabilities enhance the realism and interactivity of virtual environments, making communication more engaging and immersive. This technology is particularly useful in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and online gaming, where it can improve user experience by providing more natural and expressive interactions.

There isn't always direct documentation specifically for enabling face tracking on networked (multiplayer) avatars, especially when using frameworks like Meta Avatars SDK, Photon, Unity Netcode, or Mirror. However, the process generally involves adapting the local face tracking setup to work with your networked avatar system. Here's a summary of how to approach it, click here for further information.