I´m Not a Transvestite: Antecedents and Consequences of Gender Swapping in Online Games

This study examines the antecedents and consequences of gender swapping in online games. While previous studies considered gender swapping as abnormal or a minuscule exception in self-presentation, this study hypothesizes that people swap their genders for a rational benefit. To study this, a survey was conducted with 318 male players of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games. Findings indicate that players swap their gender in the virtual world to gain benefits under the condition of anonymity rather than for representing sexual identity, that is, male players who swap their gender tend to display patterns of behavior conventionally displayed by females in the virtual world. Gender swapping also creates an emotional attachment to avatars increasing item purchase as players want to decorate them.