‘I Create Therefore I Virtually Exist’: Digital Content Creation, Virtual Consumption, and Motivation in Second Life

Abstract

User-generated content (UGC) has been receiving increasing attention given its spread throughout digital media platforms and applications. Previous research focusing on Web 2.0 based platforms highlighted linkages with personal characteristics, user attitudes, and social as well as individual motivators. Interestingly, UGC has not been addressed on other platforms such as 3D virtual worlds, and the purpose of the current study is to fill this gap in the literature. More specifically, we explore virtual content creation within the particular 3D virtual world of Second Life, via comparing key demographic, usage and motivational attributes of creator versus non-creator residents. Results revealed differential patterns as a function of age, gender and usage. Digital content creators were also more likely to purchase goods reflecting stability, expand greater financial resources on the Second Life Marketplace, and while acknowledging greater difficulty in ease of use, reported higher esteem and self-actualization. Implications for scholars and practitioners are discussed.http://jvwresearch.org 'I create therefore I virtually exist': creation, consumption, and motivation 2

análisis de los actos de comunicación social entre los jugadores de MMORPG

“…Besides, as virtual worlds never sleep, dedication to these video games is fundamental to achieve certain status and recognition and get through new levels (NAGY; KOLES, 2016;STONE et al, 2016). Similarly, group strategy and creating or joining a community can sometimes be necessary to accomplish some missions (WHANG;CHANG, 2004).…”

“Found Collaboration,” and the Art of Leaving Things for Others to Find and Use

“…As Kathleen Irwin claimed, "Virtual places, activities, and parallel worlds, representations and performances coexist and are composite, conflictual, and diverse." 48 Linden Lab provides land, sea and sky, which is then filled by the "user created content" of many contributors, 49 so the space has identity rather than visual theming. 50 None of it is fully planned, perfected or designed, in contrast to commercial products made in games studios by design teams.…”