Your virtual self may dress like your physical self but the comparison ends there
The report showed that 70% per cent of the participants stated that they dress their avatars somewhat like the style they have in real life. That being said, 45 per cent of the participants said that their avatars were based on a fantasy character and 37 per cent, on an avatar they aspire to be. And a little less than a third, present their real self as they are today. So while users are creating characters that look nothing like them and nothing like humans either, they are still making sure to put the avatars in clothing their physical selves would wear.
Your mood may affect your avatar’s style for the day
When asked what they base their style of the day on, more than half of the participants expressed that their avatar’s style will change depending on what mood they are in when playing. Another example of how users are extending their physical selves into the virtual world without compromising on something like their feelings and emotions.
Online social spaces can boost your confidence
Your virtual self can be whoever you want it to be and users are gaining confidence in real life through this. Almost half of the survey participants said that by dressing their avatars they can express individuality and feel good about themselves. Not only are people using their physical selves to enhance and extend their virtual ones, but they can also now go both ways! In other words, an assertive avatar can boost the confidence of the player behind the screen.
Diversity and inclusion matters
In the Roblox survey, 70 per cent of the respondents expressed the importance of having a full range of skin tones for their avatars. 64 per cent indicated that it is just as important to have a complete range of body sizes as well. This really goes to show how Gen-Zers are aware of the misrepresentation that can rear its head in the gaming world and are working towards having a more diverse online space.
Shopping for your virtual self is just as fun
Half of Gen-Zers replied that they change their avatar’s clothing at least every week. Almost every survey participant also said that they did some kind of customization of their avatars. And nearly 3 in 4 expressed an interest in spending money on digital fashion. As users’ virtual selves are clearly, to some extent at least, an extension of who they are or who they wish to be, it does seem that the younger generation will be investing in digital clothing. Not to mention the sustainable aspect of it all!
