Generation Z considers the “outfit” of a digital avatar to be more important than the real image: 56%

The analyses, which caught the attention of VentureBeat, included responses from more than 1.5 thousand Roblox users in the US and UK between the ages of 14 and 26. And here are the conclusions that the researchers reached:

• 56% of respondents believe that the design of their digital avatar is more important than the design of themselves in real life (last year this figure was 42%)
• 26% say that if they had to choose, dressing their avatar would be more important than dressing themselves in the physical world.
• 52% are willing to spend at least $10 a month on digital fashion, 19% are willing to spend up to $20, and another 18% spend between $50 and $100.
• 85% believe that the importance of digital fashion has increased “slightly” compared to last year, and 53% believe it has increased “significantly”
• 42% of respondents admitted that creating a digital image inspired them to change their style in real life (of those, 84% relied specifically on the style of their avatar, and one in four respondents agreed with the statement that he would like to look exactly like his avatar).
• 165 billion avatars have been updated on Roblox in the last 3 years, which is a 38% increase compared to the previous year.
• In 2023, 1.6 billion digital fashion items were purchased, 15% more than in 2022.

The survey results demonstrated to Roblox analysts that self-expression has already become a vital part of many people’s (and especially Gen Z’s) experiences in immersive 3D spaces. And for them it is important that developers expand the opportunities to display themselves in various ways, and that brands think about the psychology of creating an avatar image when entering markets in metaverses.

Interestingly, fashion and cosmetic brands are among the most active in the metaverse space and digital avatar industry. Among the most active on Roblox are elf Beauty, Threadless, House of Blueberry, Cocone, etc.

Pointing out five key trends, the researchers noted:

1. The rise of digital expression
2. The importance of brand recognition when purchasing digital fashion items (three out of four respondents believe that wearing digital clothing should only be from a recognized brand),
3. Willingness to pay more for exclusive digital models (players lined up in digital “queues” to receive unique products from Gucci, CHRUSH, Monstercat and @WhoseTrade, etc.)
4. The ability to safely experiment with your own appearance (including makeup; this feature is important to 51% of users who use cosmetics and hairstyles; this year alone, gamers purchased 139 million types of haircuts and styles , and 7.3 million users did so more). more than five times),
5. The impact of self-expression in digital spaces on real-life well-being (88% say expressing themselves in immersive spaces has helped them express themselves in the physical world).

Users like that using a digital avatar makes it easier and faster for them to like themselves (62%), feel more “freedom of expression” and “creativity” (40%), not feel judged and judged, and even experience most sincere emotions.

This year, 9.8 million Roblox users purchased the “outfit” as “emotions,” which is a 64% increase compared to the previous year. 86% of respondents say that it is important that their avatar can express emotions.

The study also found that twice as many respondents (compared to 2022) believe they are judged less on their appearance in the metaverse than in the physical world. Respondents were 2.2 times more likely to say that expressing themselves in immersive spaces through their avatar was more fun (“more me”) than posting 2D photos of the physical world on social media.

They also noted that expressing themselves online helps them connect with others (29%), increases self-confidence (24%), allows them to truly express themselves (21%), and helps improve mental health (25%).