On the Dark Side: Gothic Play and Performance in a Virtual World
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4101/jvwr.v1i3.368Keywords:
goth, gothic, virtual world, subculture, counterculture, play, performanceAbstract
This article investigates gothic play and performance in Habbo, a virtual world for preteen children and teenagers. In addition to analyzing the aesthetics of the environment and its player characters, the authors seek to ask how gothic players figure in its appropriation and redevelopment. Countercultural player activities, such as playing goth in Habbo, are often treated as disruption, but here it will be argued that gothic players are in fact rather resourceful and productive members of the community. Observations of player-generated content, events, rituals, appearance and group discussions indicate that goth is more than a styleDownloads
Published
2009-01-17
Issue
Section
Peer Reviewed Research Papers