Cultures in virtual worlds
Alja Sulčič | Jan Isakovič

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

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

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

The magic circle
Fantasy world
Outside world

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

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

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

“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

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

“... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.artesia.si