Assessing Avatar Preferences: Do Differences or Similarities of User Race and Gender Influence Avatar Evaluations?

• In Event: The Messy Intersection of Games and Governance, Both Within and Surrounding Games (High-Density)

Abstract

RESEARCH PAPER: This paper puts forth two studies examining user’s evaluations of avatars. In study 1 we assess whether individuals are more likely to design an avatar that matches their own race and gender. In addition, we explore the evaluations associated with the raced and gendered avatars. In study 2, participants were presented with avatars that reflect the popular choices from study 1, predicting that individuals with an assigned avatar that matches their race and gender would express more favorable evaluations of the avatar. Results from study 1 demonstrate that most participants created an avatar who shared their gender identity, but not race. However, study 1 indicated no support that individuals evaluated their avatar more favorably when it matched their gender. Results from study 2 indicate that men and women respond favorably to female avatars and show no indication of unfavorable attitude when assigned an avatar that does not match their racial identity. Further implications and limitations are discussed.

Authors

• Jose Aviles, The Pennsylvania State U

• Michael Schmierbach, Pennsylvania State U