How Video Games Help People Explore and Express Their Gender Identity: A 10‑Year Review

What is it about?

The review shows how avatar customization in games helps transgender and gender diverse players: ➡️Reduce gender dysphoria; ➡️Boost gender euphoria; ➡️Explore identity safely online; ➡️Have a positive impact on wellbeing.

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Why is it important?

Understanding how transgender and gender‑diverse (TGD) people use video games to explore and express their gender identity is an emerging but under‑examined area of psychological research. Video games are one of the most widely used digital environments, offering millions of players opportunities to create personalized avatars and engage in identity‑rich social worlds. For TGD individuals, these spaces can provide rare opportunities to try out gender expressions safely, free from the stigma, discrimination, or social risk often present in offline environments. This review is important because it brings together a decade of research demonstrating the meaningful psychological benefits of avatar customization for TGD players. Across studies, alignment between one’s avatar and one’s affirmed gender identity was associated with reduced gender dysphoria, increased gender euphoria, enhanced self‑confidence, and greater overall wellbeing. The findings also highlight the powerful role of social affirmation from other players, showing how online communities can reinforce identity exploration in supportive ways. At the same time, this review identifies key barriers, such as limited or binary customization systems and inconsistent support for TGD players in gaming communities. By synthesizing these insights, the review provides a critical evidence base for psychologists, game designers, and digital wellbeing researchers seeking to create more inclusive and affirming environments. Overall, this work demonstrates that gaming is not merely recreational, avatar‑based play can be an important mechanism for identity development, emotional safety, and mental health support for TGD individuals.

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