Friday, November 20, 2009
Classy Makeovers
Today in class we discussed Makeovers and how they related to "class" (as in the socio-economic level). I'm wondering if you noticed any sort of "class" issues on your virtual world? Also, what do you think about the concept of "makeovers" as they pertain to your avatar? Could you relate makeovers to avatar creation? How do you think this effects virtual world users?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In my virtual world, second life, you have to use real money to purchase different looks or to personalize your avatar. Clothing is highly advertised to improve the looks of your avatar. I think that similar to reality where people are often judged by the clothing that they wear or how they present themselves. Also, in second life you can make all the necessary adjustments to your avatar that would take surgery in real life (breast enlargements, liposuction). I think this effects virtual world users because they value their avatar more than themselves. Avatar's can meet their ideal of perfection whereas their actual selves have flaws.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy virtual world is Meez. You can either purchase items with real money or do different things to earn coinz to buy items. Like second life clothing is highly advertised. They have name branded clothing and even sections of clothing called luxury. Being that you can choose how the body of your avatar looks, it is like having plastic surgery. You get to choose how your avatar looks, so why would anyone not be making what they find is perfect. That image is different to everyone which explains all the varieties of avatars. I agree that this effects virtual world users as well. People seemed crazed over how they make their avatar look. I don't see many options to give your avatar "flaws".
ReplyDeleteLydia Van Harlingen
ReplyDeleteBarbiegirls.com was the last place that I thought I would see with social class separations. However, after my experience I feel that it may have be one of the worst avatar sites for it. For starters, all of the girls that join the site have to be brain-washed into thinking that in order to be a part of the higher class you need to have money to shop and play all day. I never imagined that there could be a website for young girls that could be completely based on shopping. Instilling within children the idea that is completely normal to constantly shop, in my opinion, is way off target. Teaching children that the only way to have fun in life is by having a lot of money is very destructive and marks a clear distinction between the "haves" and the "have not’s." The even bigger issue on the site is the fact that in order to have the best clothes, pets and bedroom, you must upgrade your account for over five dollars a month. The girls that do not have the upgraded account do not have the privileges that the other girls do. This is such a strange concept as it makes you feel that you are in real life watching someone else drive the BMW and carry that Coach bag. It is so strange that class distinctions have spread onto a site designed for young girls. When it comes to relating makeovers to avatars, I believe that there is a clear connection. People are trying to change and shape who they originally were to fit the mold that society has made. People that might not have the money or resources to get a makeover in "real life," might feel that having a perfect version of themselves online is a good alternative. I believe that the idea of getting a makeover and pretending to be a so-called better version of you rself is what draws many to create avatars. They are not confident enough in who they are in "real life," so they feel they must live vicariously online.
In my virtual world, second life, I definitely think they are class issues. I feel like some of the people who have been on second life for a long time are very hard on the new people. Some people seem like are not interested in talking to me at all simply because I have not been on second life for very long. It's kind of like they are the "senior class" while I am just a freshman. I think that having an avatar is a chance to make yourself over online for some people. I have seen many female avatars who are tall, skinny, big boobs, etc. And I have even had a conversation with a man who said " I only wish I looked like my avatar!"
ReplyDeleteIn my virtual world, All Girl Arcade, you can play games to earn money that you can purchase items in the city mall. With this money you can update your apartment or buy clothing for your avatar. Since i have been on the site I have purchased several things for my avatar. The newest fashion trend in my virtual world is cupcake hats. They are little hats that look like different kinds of cupcakes and pastries.I bought all three even though i think they are ugly they seem to be the hottest thing in my virtual world.
ReplyDeleteAlso my avatar can only have one body type. Luckily enough this is a body of a barbie and really doesnt need any alterations. lol This is actually the one thing that bothers me about my worls because you cant change your body type and I wonder about the image it is portraying to little girls who dont have that perfect body.
In my virtual world, everyone has the same body type and has access to most of the same clothes (unless you gain money and can get special, nicer clothing) The only time I really saw issues of class in my virtual world was at an event I attended. It all depended on the conversations that took place. One guy called a girl a "hillbilly" for her lack of attire (shirt showing her stomach). I think avatars and makeovers go hand in hand. It's sad but I think a lot of people may feel better if they have an avatar that looks "flawless." People look to their avatars to feel better, which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered that i would have to give my avatar a make over. i was in the process of changing my avatar's outfit anyway but ended up changing her whole look. My avatar wasn't really getting any attention and i couldn't figure out why. She has long hair, a curvy body and was wearing tight pair of jeans and a t-shirt(what i think is sexy). but still wasn't getting the same attention from other avatars. i figured part of the reason was because i was new on meez.com. So i decided to step outside of my comfort zone and choose a "sexier" outfit; something shorter and tighter.It worked.and it's kinda funny now because the girls seem to pay more attention as well...it's like a competition "who's gonna get the guy first"
ReplyDeleteIn Habbo Hotel, there is a sense of virtual class going on. There is an exchange of money for furniture and other social goods. In order to purchased these goods you need money (from your credit card) or points gained from the amount of time you spend in the virtual world. With out money or time you would be in the lower class. In my virtual world it does not cost anything to change the look of your avatar. I do believe that the way most people make their avatar is a “makeover” of how they see themselves or would like others to see them. This can affect virtual world users because it gives a false impression of what a person really looks like. Habbo Hotel does not have the most detailed avatars but I think people still change the way they really look in order to be seen more positively by others. I think that Habbo Hotel does not really let its users express their looks fully because of the limited options to make your avatar. For example, if a person is not skinny there is no option to make a fat avatar.
ReplyDeleteIn the virtual world Barbie Girl, class definitely exists. It is thrown in your face the entire time you are playing on the site. In order to dress up your avatar in fun and cute clothes and accessories, you have to be a VIP member. In order to play more games, you have to be a VIP member. To be a VIP member, a weekly or monthly fee has to be paid. I feel bad for the little girls who can’t afford this fee and have to miss out on all of the things that the VIP members get. It is a little girls site, Barbie Girl shouldn’t be so money oriented. The site isn’t equal to all girls who participate in it and it should be. I have even witnessed little girls say to one another, some I think in envy, “Wow, you’re VIP!” Little girls who don’t have the VIP are saying it to those who do. Because of this they are already living in a world where they are exposed to class and I think they are too young to be experiencing all of this and should just be having fun.
ReplyDeleteI think that in some way, creating an avatar is like giving yourself a makeover. You can make it look however you want it to and it is how you are representing yourself to your virtual world. I think some users might get a little too excited about this and might try to re-live their life through their new looking self (avatar). Creating your avatar, in a way, is like giving yourself plastic surgery. I still have yet to see the option to make your avatar chubby. So are the virtual worlds telling us that we can’t look like ourselves, because not everyone has a skinny little figure?
I have avatars on Yoville and I have found that there is not much, if any class distinction. Everyone gets along and are either there to meet new people from other places or to hit on people. It seems to be assumed that the way the avatars look is not the way the person on the other end of the computer actually looks. And as far as make overs go they are not that important. It is cool to see what other people choose for their avatars to look like, and it sometimes serves as a conversation piece if someone has something interesting on. But, your lack of creativity in no way stops people from striking up a conversation with you.
ReplyDelete