A major aspect of many online games is the ability for players to create their own avatars/characters that act as virtual representations of themselves. Character customization has been shown to be a strong factor in player immersion and enjoyment of the game. However, little research has been conducted on the influence of the process of creating a character and the impact it has on player identification. Find out เทคนิคชนะบาคาร่าทุกครั้ง

This study extends previous research by examining the effects of avatar/character customization on identification in a Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG). Sixty-six participants played through ten hours of gameplay over four sessions. Their experience was measured using questionnaires and semi structured interviews. Players were randomly assigned to a choice condition (CG) or no-choice condition (NCG). The choice condition had the option for participants to customize their characters with cosmetic choices in addition to choosing their gender and race. CG and NCG were compared for self-estimated and actual game play performance, using paired samples t-tests. The hypothesis was that the ability to customize their avatar/character would lead to an increase in identification. Results showed that CG players reported increased identification with their characters compared to NCG. This may be due to the psychologi- cal aspect of making choices, as well as a decrease in distance between real and ideal self that is created through customization.

The Psychology of Character Customization in Online Games

Additional exploration is required, such as testing for the differences in identification between the choice and no-choice conditions. It is also important to examine the role of other factors such as gender and race, especially for those who are able to choose a stigmatized minority as their avatar.