Video-game avatars are safe ways for transgender and gender diverse people to explore and express their gender identities, according to a study published in the International Journal of Transgender Health.
A team from the University of Nottingham’s School of Psychology analysed 14 studies carried out in the past 10 years and found that the possibility of customising your avatar is a unique way to explore, express, and affirm gender identity for transgender players. Overall, this has a positive impact on well-being.
Through video games, players can experience diverse and meaningful situations using complex characters. Games allow players to create virtual versions of themselves, known as avatars, through which they explore environments, narratives, and different social interactions.
Participants in these studies reported lower gender dysphoria and increased gender euphoria when they could use avatars close to their gender identity and desired expression. This effect was particularly strong when other players recognised and accepted their gender identity based on their in-game avatar.
These effects were especially pronounced in role-playing games or when participants were allowed a high level of avatar customisation. For example, the game Baldur’s Gate 3 was highlighted for its rich, emotionally impactful narrative and inclusive, meaningful avatar customisation options. Overall, online environments were seen as safer locations for gender identity exploration and expression than offline environments.
“In times of increasing infringements on transgender and gender diverse people’s rights and access to care, it’s becoming incredibly important to explore new ways of supporting these individuals, particularly when gender affirming care may be limited. Our findings are not only important for cyberpsychology, but for clinicians and healthcare providers seeking to support transgender and gender diverse individuals using a low-cost intervention to enhance their wellbeing,” said Dr Cecilie Lolansen from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham.
“This research shows that video games can be more than just entertainment; they can be affirming spaces that support identity development. Game designers and mental health professionals have an opportunity to leverage these findings for inclusive design and psychological interventions,” concluded Dr Nikki Dean Marshall, co-author on the study.
Lolansen, C., Dean Marshall, N., Fisher, C. T. L., & Burleigh, T. L. (2025). A Decade of Avatars: A Systematic Review of Recreational Gaming as a Mechanism for Gender Identity Exploration and Affirmation. International Journal of Transgender Health, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2025.2595471