On the Dark Side: Gothic Play and Performance in a Virtual World

Authors

  • Mikael Johnson National Consumer Research Centre
  • Tanja Sihvonen University of Turku

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4101/jvwr.v1i3.368

Keywords:

goth, gothic, virtual world, subculture, counterculture, play, performance

Abstract

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 style

Author Biography

Mikael Johnson, National Consumer Research Centre

Senior Researcher User-driven innovations

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Published

2009-01-17

Issue

Section

Peer Reviewed Research Papers