Cultures in virtual worlds

Cultures in virtual worlds Alja Sulčič | Jan Isakovič

What are virtual worlds? Culture in virtual worlds Virtual world research Discussion

A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. Wikipedia

MUD Habitat Acitve Worlds - 1978 - - 1986 - - 1995 - Ultima Online Second Life World of Warcraft - 1997 - - 2003 - - 2004 -

Social Casual gaming Role-playing Content creation Educational Interest focused Branded Mirror worlds VW platforms

The magic circle Fantasy world Outside world

Story Goals Reputation Groups Trust Identity Belonging Attitudes Values Politics Language Economics Law

World of Warcraft: world of Azeroth

Examples of VW stories Gnome Race Intro movie History of Warcraft (official resources) MMORPG fantasy game Day of Darness II (video) EVE Backstory (official resources) MMORPG space game

“The outer layer of my real body does not represent myself as much as my avatar does – my avatar has a personality, and is real, and it is me, the real me” The Avatar as Communication, Angela A Thomas

Profiles: identity and belonging

“... The Sabre in big fleets is only there for bubbles. For smaller gangs (ie. not bigger than ~30) a Sabre is an amazing mix of tackler, DPS boat and bubble spewer. I almost exclusively fit mine this way now (requires AWU V, Projectile Rigging IV and perhaps the 3% CPU implant I have in my head - if it doesn't fit merely downgrade guns to 150s or use named variants): ...” - EVE Online forums

CCP experiments with democracy http://www.eve-csm.com

Virtual immigration There.com URU Uru diaspora Research by Celia Pearce

Level of immersion Augmentationists “Living a virtual life” “Virtual world as a tool” Immersionists

Types of VW communities Professional National Interest based Role-playing

Example: The Independent State of Caledon The Independent State of Caledon Caledon the Musical (video)

Example: Raglan Shire Raglan Shire A Raglan Shire Tiny Christmas Carol (video)

VW (sub)cultures beyond “the magic circle”

“Avatars United is a community for your virtual avatars.”

List of countries: http://www.plurk.com/

Virtual world television network http://slcn.tv/

VW on mobile devices Capsuleer for Sparkle IM for EVE Online Second Life

Coming of Age in Second Life: An Anthropologist Explores the Virtually Human by Tom Boellstorff

Celia Pearce (http://cpandfriends.com/)

Exodus to the Virtual World: How Online Fun Is Changing Reality by Edward Castronova

Augmentationists vs Immersionists Professional, National, Interest based, Role-playing communities

http://www.artesia.si

http://www.vcid.net	163
http://vcid.net	10
http://www.slideshare.net	5
http://www.weebly.com	1

Cultures in virtual worlds

by Alja Isakovic on Apr 09, 2009

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

4 Embeds 179

Statistics

Cultures in virtual worlds — Presentation Transcript