I happened to note the use of the term "avatar" to refer to players' in-game representation. This pre-dates the 1992 date cited by the Online Etymological Dict

I happened to note the use of the term "avatar" to refer to players' in-game representation. This pre-dates the 1992 date cited by the Online Etymological Dictionary (based on Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash). I'm curious if there are earlier references which might exist, either up to the game's introduction in 1985 or perhaps even earlier still? <https://www.etymonline.com/word/avatar https://www.etymonline.com/word/avatar>