Virtual Worlds of Video Games: Second Life and Year-Long Fantasy Football
Linden Lab’s Second Life (SL) “is a free 3D virtual world where users can socialize, connect and create” [1]. SL enables users to create an avatar, interact with other avatars and alter the virtual world (through building and scripting) in real time. SL offers an infinite realm of possibilities for each user. “Land was continually added as new residents joined SL; as there is no way to increase the amount of land on planet earth, such a capability represents a distinguishing feature of the real world” [2]. This disregard for scarcity combined with users’ ability to alter every element of the virtual space creates a world for individuals where they have control AND no limits. This allows for an in depth examination of the self, discussed further here. Additionally, users must be “in-world” (logged into SL) at the same real-world time to interact; this allows for the SL experience to feel real as sociality becomes synchronous in the virtual space just as it does in the real world. Virtual worlds eliminate the limitations of the real world while still emitting the genuine feeling of reality. Thus, it is not far fetched to see why virtual worlds like SL are so attractive.
A newer virtual world, year-long fantasy sports, have become increasingly popular. The most popular of these is fantasy football. Year-long fantasy football is a persistent platform because of its carryover from day to day, and week to week. After an individual drafts a team, that team remains the same (barring trades or acquisitions). The virtual world of fantasy football allows fans to engage in an otherwise impossible opportunity; by playing fantasy sports, fans can own, coach, and manage a team of NFL players. Individuals are not confined to choosing one NFL team, but can build a roster from players from multiple teams. Although this platform differs wildly from that of SL, the total immersion into the virtual world holds true. A study conducted by Brendan Dwyer (on fantasy football participants) “indicated a level of cognitive dissonance with regard to values related to [participants’] favorite team and fantasy team” [3]. Essentially, the immersion into the virtual world had cultural impacts in the real world. Individuals felt discomfort when watching their favorite NFL team go against a player or multiple players on their fantasy team. This occurs because the fantasy team begins to feel real just as virtual world sociality feels real in Second Life.
[1] Second Life Official Site - Virtual Worlds, Avatars, Free 3D Chat. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://secondlife.com/
[2] Boellstorff, T. (2008). Coming of age in Second Life: An anthropologist explores the virtually human. (p.92) Princeton: Princeton University Press.
[3] Dwyer, B., & LeCrom, C. W. (2013). IS FANTASY TRUMPING REALITY? THE REDEFINED NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE EXPERIENCE OF NOVICE FANTASY FOOTBALL PARTICIPANTS. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 7(3), 119-139. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1626784991?accountid=10598