Would you prefer to come back in your next life as a man or a woman? Choosing to be a man may seem like a universal consensus, but when this question is posed in the virtual world, the answer takes a surprising turn. According to the newly released Identity in Metaverse: Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2024, opting for a feminine VR avatar has become a common choice for both men and women. Surprised? Maybe not, but the report is packed with intriguing insights about metaverse inhabitants and their virtual identities. Let's dive in!
This survey was conducted by VTuber/author Virtual Girl Nem from Japan, and Swiss anthropologist Liudmila (Mila) Bredikhina. They gathered 1,012 online responses, with the majority (73.3%) from Japan, 14.1% from North America, 6% from Europe, and 5.1% from other Asian countries except Japan. This is the demographic breakdown of the metaverse survey.
The survey results are divided into four sections: 1) Metaverse User Profile, 2) Motivations Behind Avatar Design, 3) Influence of Social VR Life, and 4) Various Forms of Identity. If you're interested, you can read the full report, but we've also summarized five key points to share with you.
1. VRChat Reigns Supreme, Resonite Emerges
According to the survey, the top four platforms frequented by metaverse inhabitants are VRChat, Resonite, Cluster, and Virtual Cast. VRChat was already the top choice in the 2021 survey, and interestingly, Resonite, launched in 2023, has quickly become the second choice outside Japan. Meanwhile, Cluster holds the second spot in Japan, benefiting from its home advantage.
Moreover, there's a noticeable age difference among residents on different platforms. Both VRChat and Resonite attract younger users. Given Resonite's recent launch, it's no surprise that nearly 60% of its users are under 30. Interestingly, VRChat, despite being an older platform, also has nearly half of its users under 30, attributed to a surge of users under 19 from North America and Europe.
2. "Cuteness" is Crucial in the Metaverse
The survey categorizes virtual avatars into "Humanoid" and "Non-Humanoid". "Humanoid" avatars are further divided into human, semi-human, and cyborg, while "Non-Humanoid" includes animals, plants, monsters, and others. The results show that "Humanoid" avatars make up 94%, with semi-human (50%) and human (38%) being the main choices for metaverse inhabitants.
Interestingly, while most inhabitants choose "Humanoid" avatars, the reasons for selecting semi-human and human differ. Those opting for "semi-human" do so mainly for "to be cute" and to "to get a uniqueness different from my physical self or personal preference," whereas those choosing "human" aim "to get closer to my physical appearance" and "to be human."
Moreover, the earlier mentioned "most people choosing feminine avatars" (70% males, 74% females) is explained: males choose for "to be cute" (37.4%), with "personal preference for feminine avatars" and "to be different myself" as second and third factors. Females stick with feminine avatars for three reasons: "to fit with my physical self," "to be cute," and "personal preference for fashion."
It's no wonder Sanrio's venture into VRChat has been a hit—'cuteness' is undoubtedly a winning formula in the metaverse.
3. Few Want Their Avatars to Resemble Themselves
Should virtual avatars look like their users? It's a topic worth debating.
The survey data provides an answer: over 60% of metaverse inhabitants choose avatars that look nothing like themselves, while nearly 30% want avatars with some real-life traits, indicating a desire to live a different second life in the metaverse or at least become a better version of themselves.
However, there's an intriguing gender and regional difference. Females and residents from North America and Europe tend to embrace their physical selves more, while males and Asian residents prefer to escape their physical selves.
4. Positive Changes from Virtual Avatars and the Metaverse
Here's a shoutout to my article on the "Proteus Effect", which discusses how virtual avatars influence real life. This phenomenon is also reflected in the survey report—over 60% of metaverse inhabitants admit that their virtual lives impact their real lives to some extent. Is this impact positive or negative? The answer is overwhelmingly positive—92% believe the metaverse has improved their lives.
Specifically, positive changes are seen in three areas: social life, mental health, and diverse values.
Socially, many inhabitants report being shy and introverted in real life, with limited social circles and few opportunities to meet new friends. However, in the metaverse, they can freely engage in social activities, marking a positive change from virtual to real life.
Improving mental health might be hard to quantify, but the report includes an interesting example: "I try to practice a more serene mindset in VR. It doesn't always work, but I try to ask, 'what would my avatar do?' because she's a more idealized version of me, and I try to work to be more calm like her. In the physical world, I'm more cheerful but more temperamental."
The aspect of diverse values is also easy to understand. In real life, we have many social roles and rigid social circles, but the metaverse transcends geographical boundaries, allowing interaction with others who share similar interests through virtual avatars. One example illustrates this: "I have been able to learn so much from VR and apply it to my real life, to be more confident and happy/silly. I have also made so many new friends I get to meet in real life too."
5. Virtual Identity is Inseparable from Real Life
Many believe they have "another persona" online, as if their virtual life is a secret identity. However, the survey report reveals the opposite.
First, over half (55%) of metaverse inhabitants feel no need to hide their metaverse identity. This indicates that past "prejudices" and "misunderstandings" have significantly decreased. Furthermore, when asked which identity, "VR identity" or "real world identity," represents them better, 26% of inhabitants want their VR identity to be their main identity, and 13% say their VR identity already is. This means nearly 40% identify more with their virtual self than their real self. Adding the 35% who say "both are the same identity," over 70% of inhabitants want to live out their virtual version.
It seems the metaverse is indeed a great place for self-exploration. If you often feel trapped in real life, unable to be yourself freely, perhaps starting with creating your own virtual avatar could be the first step. After reading these five key points from the Identity in Metaverse: Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2024, what do you think? Perhaps, as a metaverse inhabitant, you have some insights to share or completely opposite feelings? Feel free to discuss with us!