“I am the character, the character is me”: a thematic analysis of the user-avatar relationship in videogames

Szolin, K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2494-3719, Kuss, DJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8917-782X, Nuyens, FM ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8125-5229 and Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2023. “I am the character, the character is me”: a thematic analysis of the user-avatar relationship in videogames. Computers in Human Behavior, 143: 107694. ISSN 0747-5632

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Abstract

Far from merely being a tool to navigate a virtual world, individuals can often develop strong and complex relationships with their videogame characters. The present study examined the bond that can develop between a user and their avatar, as well as factors that can influence this relationship dynamic through the use of thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 12 videogame players from the UK and US aged between 18 and 27 years. The results identified five major themes, comprising: (i) 'heterogeneity of game worlds'; (ii) 'avatar attachment'; (iii) 'game experiences affecting physical world behaviour and attitudes'; (iv) 'types of self in a virtual world' (with the sub-themes of 'actual self', 'idealised self', and 'utopian self'); and (v) 'game difficulty affecting user-avatar relationship'. The results showed gamers use their avatars as a means to insert a virtual version of themselves into the videogame or to attain a desired version of the self, sometimes including elements of fantasy. In addition, participants indicated that games with an advanced difficulty and avatar customisation appeared to facilitate stronger bonds to a character. Finally, several avenues of future research are discussed, in particular pertaining to the advancement of research relating to the Proteus effect.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Computers in Human Behavior
Creators:	Szolin, K., Kuss, D.J., Nuyens, F.M. and Griffiths, M.D.
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date:	June 2023
Volume:	143
ISSN:	0747-5632
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107694 DOI 1731343 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	16 Feb 2023 11:50
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2024 03:04
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/48316

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