POL 4377 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Multiplayer Video Game, Virtual Reality, Culture Industry
31 May 2016
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Document Summary
Makes use of adrono and horkheimer"s version of culture industry . Scholtz distinguishes between massively multiplayer online (mmo) games (eg. runescape) and virtual reality games. Discusses the role that utopia and utopic ideals play in virtual reality games and mmos. Also mentions the racist underpinnings of virtual reality games. In mmos, someone from the global south will be in charge of creating purchasable products, while typically western/european looking players buy products from them. This reality plays out in real life. There is also this dynamic of people from the global north paying people from the global south to play games for them in order to advance ranks. Discusses the blurring between work and play. Eg. guilds and clans in virtual reality games resumes and interviews are often required in order to join.
