1186 | 195 | Roblox and Second Life, a new virtual playground made in Metaworlds as components of Metaverse

Currently a whole new universe, made by cybernetic tools and completely online, has arisen. It is the Metaverse. It is considered as an infinite space in which users could find and be part of infinite Metaworlds. These are considered single virtual environments in which users could perform life-like actions. Within this virtual universe, users can find different Metaworlds of which each has specific features. Users could find a Metaworld such as Second Life in which they can be in contact with each other, create virtual representations of themselves, explore, build, create and trade virtual property and services with one another. Another example of a Metaworld is Roblox, whose main purpose is to be a virtual environment made up of games created ad hoc in order to unite users from all over the globe. Furthermore, it is well known that a large percentage of Metaworlds users are minors, especially for Roblox. Thanks to Roblox and virtual reality, the gaming space has completely changed in favour of a non-physical place accessible from wherever there is internet. Less is known about how the Roblox Metaworld is structured to host minors and how the environment is settled in order to protect them while they are online. The purpose of the research will be the study on how Roblox is structured, how it operates and replaces the real playground for minors and deepens the flow with which the minors moved to a completely virtual playground. In this case the research will be divided into a critical analysis of the literature review, a focus on semi structured interviews and direct experience into the specific Metaworld. Finally, particular attention will be paid to policymakers and how they have managed the phenomenon by setting limits and rules._x000D_

Mario Imperioso
University of Lisbon – IGOT Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território

ID Abstract: 195

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