snowcrash (well not really but ..)

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

ANIMATED ONLINE CHAT
Fujitsu Cultural Technologies and CompuServe Information Service will
collaborate on WorldsAway, a totally graphical chat environment where
animated "avatars" interact in a virtual cocktail party.  Each participant
can control his or her avatar, making it walk across the room, sit down,
etc., Conversation is depicted cartoon-style in a balloon over the avatar's
head.  Characters can move, examine, exchange and sell objects online using
tokens, and can even invite other characters to their own private
residences for some one-on-one chat time.  The service will be widely
available next fall, but initial trials are already starting. (Information
& Interactive Services Report 3/10/95 p.3)