More than half of Gen Z gamers say they feel more like themselves in the metaverse than IRL.

More than half of Gen Z gamers say they feel more like themselves in the metaverse than IRL. A survey from Razorfish and VICE Media Group found that 57% of Gen Z gamers feel they’re able to self-express more openly in a game than in real life, while 45% say they feel like their identity in a game is a truer expression of who they are. The biggest draws of the metaverse (a.k.a. virtual world games) for Gen Z is to relieve stress / anxiety and meet new people. Additionally, Gen Z gamers are making purchases in the metaverse similar to how they are in real life, and 20% say that their “fun” budgets (money spent on entertainment) will go to in-game purchases over the next five years. YPulse’s Metaverse trend research shows virtual world gamers see their digital avatars as a way to creatively express themselves, and 72% say it’s easier to talk to others in the virtual world than it is in real life. They’re also open to interacting with brands in the virtual world games they play, and creating experiences for them—and digital products for their avatars—are ways brands can meet them in the metaverse. (Benzinga)