concept research

Concept ideas

1. Data map an online environment like Habbo Hotel to research how anonymity affects the behaviour of the people in this space. In the context of an online game, where the primary function is to socialise and entertain, how does this factor play into our interactions and patterns? How does this compare to for example a playground, a space with a similar function and target audience? What role does a moderator play and can you set them apart from other players?

2. Research the way women act when they're alone in the dark in a public space. Example: a train station.

Cultural Diversity
Group 13

We decided to go for concept one and we parted ways with Shéyna. We looked into how social interactions developed between random players and researched the space of the disco area. Quite early on in our research we found out that the target audience we initially set was completely off! Instead of young children, the players of habbo hotel tend to be around the age of 15-25. There were more sightings of people older than that than there were of younger people. This kind of invalidates the entire comparison to a playground.
Here are some screenshots of conversations we saw.

HABBO HOTEL RESEARCH

FLIRTING / SEXUALITY

I, Zainab, accidentally got involved in the research instead of just observing people. I went to the club with Ming and instantly got 5 friend requests, probably because of the way I was dressed. Someone started a conversation with me very fast and within a minute I was 'employee of the White House', some sort of job roleplay. I wrote down my observations in a document which you can download and read a part of it below.

''I had to do an actual job interview, where I had to remember a lot of information they gave me to succeed at a test. It was very strange and very America centered. I had to say ‘ Ma’am yes ma’am’ or ‘Sir yes sir’’ when the trainer said something. When the trainer called me to ‘attention’ I had to stand up, face them , wave and say that as well. It made me laugh, it felt incredibly silly, but I played along. It also felt very (fake) serious. Later I could get another interview to get a different rank or badge, but since I’m new on this website I still had no clue how to do things. The people who ‘trained’ me to be a good White House employee kindly explained and helped me through everything I didn’t know how to do. It was very sweet actually! Very helpful and kind. ''
- Zainab Kaddis