  Avatar customization is known to positively affect crucial outcomes in
numerous domains. However, it is unknown whether audial customization can
confer the same benefits as visual customization. We conducted a preregistered
2 x 2 (visual choice vs. visual assignment x audial choice vs. audial
assignment) study in a Java programming game. Participants with visual choice
experienced higher avatar identification and autonomy. Participants with audial
choice experienced higher avatar identification and autonomy, but only within
the group of participants who had visual choice available. Visual choice led to
an increase in time spent, and indirectly led to increases in intrinsic
motivation, immersion, time spent, future play motivation, and likelihood of
game recommendation. Audial choice moderated the majority of these effects. Our
results suggest that audial customization plays an important enhancing role
vis-\`a-vis visual customization. However, audial customization appears to have
a weaker effect compared to visual customization. We discuss the implications
for avatar customization more generally across digital applications.
