Avatar or Alter Ego? Decoding Player Preferences in Character Design

18 December 2024

Let’s face it—video games have become so much more than just “games.” For many of us, they’re a way of life, an escape, and sometimes even better therapy than retail shopping. But here’s the burning question: when you’re building your in-game character, do you aim to make a digital twin of yourself, or do you go full-on fantasy mode? Avatar or alter ego? That’s the debate we’re tackling today because the way players approach character design says a lot about their personality, preferences, and (let’s be honest) how much time they spend in front of the mirror yelling, “Who am I, really?!”

So buckle up, grab your Mountain Dew (or chamomile tea, no judgment), and let’s dissect why we create the characters we do—and why it totally matters.

The Psychology of Picking a Digital Doppelgänger

Alright, first things first—what’s the deal with avatars? You know, those characters that look like you (or at least how you think you look after a good hair day). This approach to character design is super common because, let’s be real, most of us like to see ourselves as the hero. There’s something empowering about saving a kingdom while sporting your favorite hoodie or sporting the haircut you’ve been too scared to try in real life.

Psychologists say this comes down to identity affirmation. Yikes, I know, fancy term alert! But it basically means that creating an avatar that looks like you can help validate how you see yourself. Think of it as the digital equivalent of looking in a mirror and saying, “Dang, I’m awesome.”

Players who go this route often have a strong sense of self—or they’re working on building one. It’s like putting your best foot forward but in virtual reality. Plus, it’s a tad easier to take that fireball to the face when the person taking the damage looks... well, like you. It’s personal but also oddly satisfying knowing you survived that boss fight where others failed.

Alter Ego Squad: The Fantasy League

Now, on the flip side, some players go completely off the rails when they design their in-game alter egos. Pink skin? Done. Glowing eyes? Why not! A werewolf astronaut ninja with a top hat? Say no more. If avatars are all about self-affirmation, alter egos are about self-expression.

Creating an alter ego lets you unshackle all the social norms and, frankly, all sense of reason. Ever dream of being a seven-foot-tall elf with abs so defined you could grate cheese on them? This is your time to shine. Alter egos scream, “I make the rules here!” It’s like cosplay, except you don’t have to sew anything or worry about walking through Comic-Con in uncomfortable boots.

For many players, being someone completely “other” allows them to explore aspects of their personality or desires that they can’t really flex in real life. I mean, who’s stopping you from being a morally ambiguous space pirate in your daily 9-to-5? (Answer: HR. HR is stopping you.) But in a game? All bets are off.

Why Not Both? The Frankenstein Players

Here’s where things get interesting—some of us can’t decide, so we mix and match. Maybe you’ll give your character your facial features, but then you slap on dragon wings. Or you’ll create someone entirely different, but their backstory is suspiciously like your own. Congratulations, you’ve created a digital Frankenstein’s monster, and honestly? That’s brilliant.

This hybrid approach could mean that you’re someone who values creativity but still wants to stay tethered to reality. Or maybe it just means you spent WAY too much time in the character creation screen trying to decide between a pompadour and a pixie cut, so you compromised. Either way, you’re living your best life, and we respect it.

The Role of Game Genres in Player Choices

Before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: not all games are created equal when it comes to character design. If you’re playing a hardcore RPG like Elden Ring, you’re probably spending a solid hour on sliders to make sure your custom hero either looks exactly like you or an abomination even your mom wouldn’t recognize. (No offense, moms.)

But what about games like Among Us? Literally, all you’ve got is color and a cute hat. Or sports games like FIFA? Do you create a lifelike version of yourself on the pitch, or do you slap a mohawk on your player and call it a day?

Game genres definitely influence how personal we get with character design. Open-world RPGs and MMORPGs usually encourage deep customization, but casual games or shooters? Eh, they’re more like, “Here’s a pre-made character. Now go shoot things.” It’s almost like the genre decides how much of yourself you can—or should—put into a character.

The “Escapism” Factor

Let’s be honest for a sec: gaming is often about escaping reality. Some of us just want to unwind after a long day of being regular ol' humans. And if we can do that by becoming a space otter with a jetpack, who’s complaining?

Escapism plays a huge role in whether someone opts for an avatar versus an alter ego. If your real-life self is already sticking its nose in spreadsheets from 9 to 5, you’re probably thinking, “Nah, let me live a little.” Boom—alter ego mode activated. On the other hand, if you’re someone who enjoys embracing yourself (or hey, just thinks you look really cool with blue hair), making an avatar feels just as liberating.

How Personality Traits Affect Character Design

Do introverts tend to make self-inserts while extroverts go wild with their alter egos? Not exactly. Personality types aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation in gaming. In fact, it’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure book from the ’90s.

That being said, studies (yes, people actually study this stuff) suggest that people who are more open to new experiences tend to create wilder alter egos, while those who value consistency and stability lean toward avatars. But hey, there’s always room for the chaos gremlins—we see you, and we love your neon-green ogre with fairy wings.

The Influence of Graphics on Player Choices

Oh, here’s a fun twist: the better the graphics, the pickier we get about character design. Remember the old days of blocky polygons where every character looked like they were made out of LEGOs? Choices were simple because, well, there weren’t many.

Fast forward to today, and now you can adjust the size of your character’s freckles if you want. That level of detail means players are spending hours crafting the perfect representation of themselves—or their wildest dreams. It’s like an art project, but instead of getting graded by a teacher, you’re showing off to a bunch of strangers online.

Finding the Sweet Spot: When Preferences Collide

At the end of the day, whether you’re Team Avatar or Team Alter Ego, most of us just want one thing: to feel connected to our characters. The beauty of gaming is that it lets us be whoever (or whatever) we want, whenever we want. Maybe today you’re a brave warrior fighting dragons, and tomorrow you’re an adorable cat baking cookies. That’s the magic of gaming—it meets you where you’re at and lets you live the dream, however big or small that dream might be.

Final Thoughts (and Probably a PSA About Not Overthinking It)

So, is there a “right” answer to the avatar vs. alter ego debate? Nope. And honestly, trying to pick one would be like asking someone to choose between pizza and tacos—impossible and borderline offensive. The truth is, your choice says something about who you are, sure, but it’s not set in stone.

The next time you’re building a character, don’t stress too much about what it says about you. Just have fun with it. Whether you’re creating a spitting image of yourself or a cyborg kangaroo with a mohawk, what matters most is that you’re enjoying the game.

Because after all, in the grand scheme of things, aren’t we all just slightly confused humans creating slightly cooler versions of ourselves?