Replication Data for: Decoding Virtual Escapism: The Impact of Avatar Aesthetics on User Identity in the Metaverse

This dataset presents a comprehensive collection of transactional data pertaining to avatar skin purchases within the Decentraland metaverse, a prominent virtual world leveraging blockchain technology. Sourced from blockchain transactions via the Dune Analytics platform, this dataset encompasses a wide array of transaction attributes, including timestamps, unique identifiers for items and collections, and cryptocurrency wallet addresses of buyers and sellers. Additionally, it integrates a meticulous analysis of the aesthetic characteristics of the avatar skins purchased, categorized across three dimensions: Historicity (spanning Historical, Contemporary, and Futuristic themes), Mood (ranging from Dark to Bright), and Realness (distinguishing between Imaginary and Realistic). The dataset, generated from over 4,117 transactions accounting for a total volume of 23,822 MANA (Decentraland's cryptocurrency), not only quantifies the economic activities within Decentraland but also offers an unprecedented lens into the escapism preferences exhibited by users through their avatar selections. Covering a period from April 1, 2022, to October 2, 2023, it provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of virtual economies, user engagement, and digital identity expression in virtual worlds. This rich dataset is instrumental for researchers and practitioners interested in virtual economies, blockchain technology, digital identity, and user behavior in virtual worlds. It supports a range of analyses, from economic transactions and market dynamics to complex behavioral studies focusing on the psychological and social underpinnings of avatar customization and identity exploration in digital environments.