Razorfish Finds 70% of Web3 Early Adopters Value Virtual Goods as Much, or More Than, Physical Products

Razorfish, a global leader in marketing transformation, released findings from a new research study aiming to better understand consumer attitudes around virtual goods and how these perceptions are reshaping digital culture. The study, Unlocking the Real Impact of Virtual Goods, aims to help brands identify opportunities to connect with consumers in the new digital frontier of Web3.

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“The rise of Web3 is exciting because of the amazing potential it has to revolutionize how people engage with the digital world.” – Cristina Lawrence, Razorfish EVP of Consumer & Content Experience.

The analysis, which surveyed consumers who currently own or had owned a virtual good within the past year, focuses on consumers’ unique attitudes, perceptions, behaviors, and spending habits. It found that more than 70 percent of these early adopters view virtual goods as equally valuable to, or more valuable than, physical ones.

“The rise of Web3 is exciting because of the amazing potential it has to revolutionize how people engage with the digital world,” said Cristina Lawrence, EVP, Consumer & Content Experience. “We set out to understand consumer perceptions around virtual goods as mechanisms to express themselves and engage in communities. For brands, virtual goods offer new connection points – or even wholly new revenue streams – with these consumers.”

Many are already investing non-essential “play funds” into virtual goods. Of all early adopters surveyed, 38% reported spending at least a quarter of their discretionary income on virtual goods, and 35% spend at least $1,000 on their virtual portfolio. A majority anticipate that they will increase their spend on virtual goods in the coming year.

The study also investigated how virtual goods provide perceived luxury:

• Desired acquisition: How branded virtual goods increase everyday consumers’ online influence and enhance their digital identity.
• Emotional importance: How consumers perceive virtual goods produced by both mass-market and premium brands.
• Access and exclusivity: What expectations consumers have about virtual ownership and participation in exclusive communities.