Dressing up avatars is the focal point of fashion games designed for girls and casual gamers, but avatar customization and outfit selection is also a major selling point for titles in genres ranging from sports simulations to action-oriented role-playing games. Clothing that can be unlocked during game play or bought for real or virtual money is a major part of contemporary gaming. Many titles incorporate simple programming tools allowing players to design their own fashions and share them online with their fellow gamers.
Fashion Games
Fashion game players create avatars, dressing them in a range of different styles, and share their completed look with other players. The fashion industry was quick to embrace these games, with designers such as Norma Kamali using online fashion games like "Designer Closet" as marketing tools to promote upcoming clothing lines. Console gamers can play industry simulations such as "Style Savvy," which allow them to establish virtual fashion boutiques, and "My Fashion Show," whose players design new clothing lines and unveil their creations at a simulated fashion show.
People Simulators
Players control virtual people in this subgenre, guiding them through household tasks and social interactions. These games also give players a wide range of outfits to dress their virtual people, and EA's "Sims" series also provides customization tools allowing players to design new clothing for their virtual humans, or Sims. Electronic Arts offers a steady flow of "Sims" expansion packs, providing new locations to explore, new household furnishings and new clothing designs. EA's official "Sims" website, along with a plethora of fan sites, lets users upload designs and download other players' creations to use with their Sims. Other people simulators include "Desperate Housewives: The Game," which incorporated plot lines from the television series, and the "Singles" series, which is heavily geared toward romance and relationship simulation.
Sports Simulations
A gamer playing EA's "Top Spin 3" can create a virtual tennis pro and dress her in a variety of outfits and accessories. Players can also choose makeup, hairstyles and tattoos for their avatars. EA's "Tiger Woods PGA Tour" series lets players customize their golfers' appearances and outfits, allowing them to browse clothes, hats and other accessories in the game's "Pro Shop" screen. Beginning players have access to some shop items, while other gear remains locked until players defeat particular AI-controlled opponents or complete mini-games in "Tiger Challenge" mode. Players can also use the "GameFace" option to scan a photo of themselves to their console, allowing the game to create a golfer resembling the player.
Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds such as "Second Life" and "OpenLife" give users a venue to roam user-created environments, visiting shops and purchasing clothing for their avatars. Since any user can create clothing with the world's design tools, players have an abundance of styles and accessories to choose from. According to Bloomberg Business, transactions of virtual goods in "Second Life" during 2009 generated $500 million in real revenue, and real-world designers and retailers are trying to tap this market by establishing virtual showcases in these environments. Mattel's "Barbie Girls" and Disney's "Disney Fairies" represent these companies' endeavors to create age-appropriate virtual worlds for girls, giving them the chance to customize their avatars with a variety of fashions while interacting with other players from around the world.
Tags: other players, players design, their avatars, allowing players, allowing players design, clothing lines
