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of DTI is simple: players are given a a limited amount of time (roughly 4 4 tyle their avatar accordingly accordingly. Players are with various customisation options, ith options, hair, makeup, and a range of virtual clothes r, clothes and accessories. es
timer ends, each player presents their outfit er each player their outfit -style showcase where participants rate style where participants rate looks on a 5-star scale. The highest-
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OF THEIR OF THEIR OWN OWN
REPRESENTA REPRESENTA TIONS” TIONS”
With a wide range of customisation options options available for the player’s avatar, DTI empowers available for the and provides the players an avenue to present provides players present both their real and ideal selves within an online space where they may otherwise feel reserved in real life.
WHEN GLITCHES BECOME FASHION WHEN GLITCHES BECOME FASHION
In DTI, the clothing pieces, hairstyles and other accessories can overlap and intertwine. Players often utilise these in- utilise ingame glitches as creative styling techniques, resulting in techniques, innovative and unconventional outfit combinations. As a unconventional result, new forms of digital self-expression emerges. By emerges pushing beyond the game’s intended design, players pushing challenge coventional fashion aesthetics and create space for non-mainstream and experimental styles. non-mainstream
Beyond avatar customisation, customisation, other game affordances within DTI enables identity presentation. The runway showcase provide players with a range of pose options - from glamorous to humorous poses such as the notable of from “Pose 28”- enabling players to express personality and shape how they want to be perceived by others. Combined with the game’s live chat, these perceived by interactive features transform the runway into a performative social space. The game also features VIP exclusive items which function as digital status symbols, signalling prestige and investment within the DTI community.
Full spectrum of gameplay online
DTI “Core” edits
Styling Hacks Styling Hacks
ramatic Judging moments
DTI content has spread widely content has accross social media platfroms, platfroms, ranging from curious casual players from trying the game to experienced game cretaors showcasing elaborately styled outfits. Popular internet outfits. internet personalities like Madison Beer have personalities streamed the game to their millions of followers increasing it’s visibility to audiences. DTI has evolved into an entertainment spectacle where an entertainment where audiences actively watch, share and audiences actively react to gameplay content. to content.
As mentioned, DTI found mentioned, significant success through collaboratioms with current popculture personalities and media franchises. Its Its Wicked collaboratiom featuring themed Wicked collaboratiom featuring themed outfits and poses inspired by the film poses inspired by highlights how mainstream entertainment increasingly acknowledges the game’s online popularity and cultural influence. and cultural
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accross YouTube and TikTok for Charli XCX XCX ‘Brat’ and DTI DTI collab
of Gen Z fashion is fluneced by uneced atar style
tended into real life, influencing fashion culture as s imitate their prefered digital styles within their According to Roblox Fashion & Beauty Expression According Report, 84% of Gen Z users stated that their fashion style has been 84% of Gen users stated that their fashion has been influnced by their in-game style choices. in-game DTI has also exposed players to a variety of subcultures - from Y2K to punk- through its themed runway challenges each game round.
DTI engages players though various rewards engages players though various systems such as stars, podium placements, and player status like “Top Model”. Together, these creates a simple and repeatable gameplay loop that gamifies fashion and player expression. that gamifies fashion and player
Unlike the form of gamification criticised by Ian Bogost (2011), where criticised systems disregard player experience and rely primarily on rewards to retain engagement, DTI balances gamified incentive with creativity creativity and player enjoyment. Features like the game’s Freeplay mode encourage experimentation without the influnece of points, competition, or public or validation.
Ian Bogost (2008) coined the term “procedur the term “proce describes how games communicate ideas and games a it’s rules, systems, and mechanics. In DTI this is r it’s systems, and mechanics In DTI thi
1) 1) voting & star system = importance of popularity & r & star system = importance of pop
2) podium & leaderboard = public recognition is v & leaderboard = recognitio
3) Paid VIP exclusives = associate wealth and Paid VIP exclusives = associate wealth a spending money with increased advantag spending money advantag social value and prestige. value and
4) Alliances & Unfair Voting = competition = influences behaviour behaviour
