Are You Your Avatar? Users’ Perception Toward Their Avatars in The Sims Social Game

Pujo Sakti Nur Cahyo¹ | Rachmah Ida² | Diah Ariani Arimbi³

^1&2English Department, Faculty of Humanities | ²Faculty of Social and Political Science

^1,2,&3Universitas Airlangga

Abstract

This study aims to examine how people build their identity in virtual world and how they perceive their virtual identity through virtual interaction. By applying observation and interviews as method of data collection, this study found that people tend to create avatars that are different from their physical appearance in the real world. Their desire to create an ideal body is the main reason they construct their virtual identity. In addition, most users think that their virtual identity and virtual interaction has nothing to do with their real world.

Keywords:  Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Art & Humanities, Avatar, Virtual Identity, Virtual Interaction, Fragmented Identity

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