| Description | Virtual spaces and video games offer a unique opportunity for users to embody and express a gender that is congruent with their identity. However, traditional avatar choice and creation in AAA video games limits gender expression options to the male/female binary. The aim of this study was to better understand character creation, avatar identification, and virtual gender expression for nonbinary players. N=25 nonbinary video game players participated in exploratory semi-structured interviews. A grounded theory approach was used to thematically analyze the transcribed data. Nonbinary players use avatars to explore and experience nonbinary gender expressions. When nonbinary gender options are not available, players describe methods for circumventing in-game features and norms. Additionally, participants express negative experiences due gender choice constraints. Lastly, participants suggest features that would allow for a gender expression that is congruent to their own gender. These findings have important implications for improving the well-being of nonbinary players. |
