EVE Virtual Economy Research Network4
News, research and discussion on real-money trade of virtual property globally.
4Virtual worlds don't exist
Author
Lehdonvirta, Vili
Year
2008
Publication information
Working paper
Suggested citation
Lehdonvirta, Vili (2008). Virtual worlds don't exist. Working paper
Attachment |
Size |
231.43 KB |
Concepts and methods | Social studies | login or register to post comments
Abstract from the paper
I argue that much of MMO-related scholarship is implicitly based on a dichotomous "real world vs. virtual world" model, which is heavily influenced by the "magic circle" concept in game studies. I show a number of shortcomings in this perspective and propose an alternative perspective based on Anselm Strauss's social worlds (Strauss, 1978). The alternative perspective unbundles users from the technological platform and places MMO-centered social worlds in context with other worlds like religion and workplace.
