The Effects of Avatar-Based Customization on Player Identification

Türkay, Selen; Kinzer, Charles K.

doi:10.4018/ijgcms.2014010101

Cited by 68 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Correlations between the two measures were not reported, but if they were measuring the same construct, then the direction of the effect ought to be the same. Elsewhere, customisation has been shown to improve a users identification with their avatar (Turkay & Kinzer, 2014), which in turn has been shown to influence motivation to play games (Birk, Atkins, Bowey, & Mandryk, 2016), enjoyment and exercise intentions during an exergame (B. J. Li & Lwin, 2016).…”

Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

How might avatar appearance influence health-related outcomes? A systematic review and narrative meta-review

Ohnesorge¹,

Grogan²,

Cole³

2019

Preprint

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Evidence has suggested that health promotion may be achieved using repre-sentations of the self in virtual environments (avatars) to alter self-perception,and model behaviours. This systematic review aimed to assess evidence ofthe role that the appearance of avatars plays in influencing health-relatedattitudes and behaviours.Journal databases, author books and websites, grey literature sources weresearched. Rehabilitation and mental health outcomes were excluded.A total of 13 articles (14 studies) addressing primary (e.g. exercise, diet, andsmoking), and secondary (e.g. body satisfaction) health related attitudes andbehaviours were included.Seven studies reported significant main effects of avatar manipulation, whichincluded avatar body type (varied by adiposity or muscularity), and Self Dis-crepancy Theory-based (SDT; e.g. actual, ideal, ought selves) customisation.The review indicates a dearth of research on avatar appearance and health-related outcomes. The assignment of avatars with varying body types ap-peared to be the most consistent manipulation for in-game physical activity.The assignment of ‘obese’ avatars appeared to reduce behavioural outcomes,however the absence of control conditions means the actual direction is un-clear. Results from this review indicate a need for a grounded, theory-drivenapproach to future avatar appearance-based studies

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Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

How might avatar appearance influence health-related outcomes? A systematic review and narrative meta-review

Ohnesorge¹,

Grogan²,

Cole³

2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Taking the latter approach, an environment that maintains user interest in their online identities may encourage their return to the game's community. Customization, defined as a series of choices, is a common way for users to establish their online identities (Turkay & Kinzer, 2014).…”

Section: Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the most important aspects of virtual worlds is that they are avatar-based. Avatars have been a crucial feature of digital games and online environments since their inception, due to their representations of players in these online worlds (Turkle, 1995;Turkay & Kinzer, 2014). Many games allow avatar customization to some extent.…”

Section: Customizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, it is a main form of customization in many MMOs. Players spend considerable amounts of time customizing appearance and abilities of their game characters (Ducheneaut, Wen, Yee, & Wadley, 2009;Turkay & Kinzer, 2014). Fischer, Kastenmüller and Greitemeyer (2010) found that avatar customization can amplify the psychological effects of video games through increased identification with one's character, and, in turn, may increase game enjoyment and time spent within a virtual world (Bailey, Wise, & Bolls, 2009;Klimmt, Hefner, & Vorderer, 2009;Trepte & Reinecke, 2010).…”

Section: Customizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of customization on motivation in an extended study with a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game

Türkay¹,

Adinolf²

2015

Cyberpsychology

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Customization is a ubiquitous feature of games and can be perceived as a series of choices that may influence players’ experiences. Opportunities for customization may give users decision-making authority over the technology, enabling them to shape and create their own experiences, as well as provide ways to be a part of a group based on their needs and desires. This study aims to shed more light on the effects customization has on players’ motivation, and investigates how customization as a way of user control affects player motivation within an MMO. A mixed method study was designed with two conditions: customization (n = 33) and no customization (n = 33). Adult participants played Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO), a Massively Multiplayer Online game, for about ten hours over four sessions. Data was collected through surveys, interviews and observations. Results showed that players’ desire to replay the game increased over time, and customization affected players’ motivation positively. Findings are discussed through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985).

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“…After the background story ends, the players are asked to choose between two different racial versions of Linda (1) a white caucasian lady, or (2) a latina lady ( Figure 1). This racial-selection option was thought with players with diverse ethnicity in mind, as choosing a game character of the same (or similar) racial group might increase the sense of connection between the player and the in-game character (Turkay et al, 2016).…”

Section: A Game Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embrace : a serious video game about the life of cancer patients

Ebrahimi¹

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Serious games bring gaming beyond entertainment and can be used to teach players about real-life situations. In this thesis, we present a user study with Embrace , a serious game that re-enacts real-life situations faced by cancer patients and show players how decision making can impact the daily life of people who are living with cancer. We shaped the game scenarios of Embrace on the basis of knowledge from two consultant experts who worked with cancer patients for several years. In their work, our consultants identified particular daily life situations (e.g., having lunch in bed vs having lunch with familiars in the living room), where cancer patients struggle with decision-making and where decisions can influence their physical and mental well-being either negatively or positively. We used Embrace in an online user study, where 30 participants played one level of the game that simulated the real-life situations faced by cancer patients described above, and had to make decisions that balance the game character general well-being (i.e., energy and mood). We carried out the user study to investigate the following: (1) if players empathized with the game character and felt responsible for their health and well-being, (2) which decisions participants made and what decision patterns emerged from the gameplay, and (3) the extent to which participants found it hard to make decisions in the scenarios proposed by Embrace. Results from our study show that (1) participants felt responsible and empathized with the game character, (2) participants found easy to make decisions but also needed to think carefully about them, and (3) participants started the game with more conservative choices (e.g., eating breakfast in bed), but moved towards more prosocial choices by the end of the game (e.g., having dinner with the family). Finally, we conclude by discussing how our results can help the design of health-related serious games and outline directions for future work.

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The Effects of Avatar-Based Customization on Player Identification

Cited by 68 publications

References 58 publications

How might avatar appearance influence health-related outcomes? A systematic review and narrative meta-review

How might avatar appearance influence health-related outcomes? A systematic review and narrative meta-review

The effects of customization on motivation in an extended study with a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game

Embrace : a serious video game about the life of cancer patients

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