The Rise of Fan-Made Video Game Merch: Outshining the Real Deal

Many video game companies fail to offer fashionable merchandise inspired by their games, leaving fans to create their own designs. While in-game cosmetics are meticulously crafted to be trendy and stylish, the options for real-world fashion are often limited to promotional materials. Fans have taken matters into their own hands, replicating and iterating on iconic video game looks through platforms like Etsy. Designers express disappointment that official re-creations of in-game fashion are hard to find, especially outside of Japan. By partnering with designers and manufacturers, game companies could tap into the demand for fashionable video game-inspired clothing and allow gamers to express themselves in the real world.