Sims Online project Research ideas Updated 6 February 2004 Motivation Is money important at every stage or only to certain level? One possible secret of failure: Lacks game character.  E.g., complains about real-time character development.  But also lacks real-life: talk, pics - wants chat.  Data (first entry): complaint by K. of people who leave avatar there to gain points, but leave.  This is reason no one talks.  Very discouraging social environmnent.  Picks up strategy from other players. Identity Identity issues with avatar:  First day:  tries to make an avatar to look good and be herself. Social identity in social environment.  After first day of play Kelly realizes that no one is there. Like putting on a great dress to go to party and there is a room full of robots. Her note indicates that she thinks of it as a virtual social environment, p.23.  And as such, needs company.  p. 23 It’s global; Wants to make it local.  Want to regionalize, get pics  Culture Hypercapitalism. May be that capitalism is not a turn-off, but that capitalism doesn’t actally work this way. Discussion Conflict between structure of the game and motives.  Conflict between structure of the game and what is created.